HII and MetalCraft Marine have delivered two ROMULUS-25 unmanned surface vessels to the US Marine Corps.
The delivery was completed in December 2025 under a contract from the Defense Innovation Unit. The vessels also completed sea testing focused on autonomous mission operations.
HII’s ROMULUS-25 Autonomous USVs
The ROMULUS-25 is a 27-foot high-speed interceptor boat built for unmanned missions. It can carry payloads weighing up to 1,000 pounds and travel up to 1,000 nautical miles. The vessel is designed for surveillance, logistics support, maritime patrol, and coordinated naval operations.
HII equipped the vessels with its Odyssey autonomy system powered by artificial intelligence. The system combines sensors, cameras, and mission software to help the boat operate without a crew on board. It also allows multiple unmanned and manned systems to work together during naval missions.
READ ALSO: Mysterious 737 with DHS Seal and Trump-Era Livery Sparks Questions on Government Luxury Travel
Odyssey AI System Expands Naval Operations
HII said Odyssey autonomy has already logged more than 12,000 hours of operations at sea.
The company also stated that government-led exercises tested the system for over 2,200 autonomous operating hours during the past five years. These tests helped validate the technology in real maritime environments.
The autonomy suite follows a modular, open-systems design, which enables easier upgrades and integration with other defense systems. HII connected the platform with its Minotaur targeting network for better mission coordination and AI-supported target recognition.
This setup improves decision-making speed during operations across different naval platforms.
Andy Green, president of HII Mission Technologies, said the successful delivery reflects the maturity of the company’s autonomous technology.
He added that the ROMULUS-25 extends the operational reach and endurance of naval forces through scalable unmanned systems. The company also emphasized the importance of AI-enabled maritime operations for future naval missions.
Growing Demand for Autonomous Naval Platforms
The ROMULUS-25 belongs to HII’s wider family of unmanned surface vessels.
The lineup ranges from compact seven-foot micro USVs to the much larger ROMULUS-190, a 190-foot aluminum vessel designed to carry containerized payloads. This range allows naval operators to select different platforms depending on mission size and requirements.
WATCH ALSO: BYD SEAL Delivers Lightning-Fast Acceleration for Effortlessly Smooth Drives
Autonomous vessels are becoming increasingly important for military forces worldwide. They reduce risks to human crews and allow longer missions in contested or dangerous waters. Many navies are also investing heavily in unmanned systems to strengthen surveillance, logistics, and coastal security operations.
The latest delivery supports ongoing efforts by HII and MetalCraft Marine to expand hybrid manned-unmanned fleet operations.
The project also reflects a broader shift toward AI-supported naval warfare and autonomous maritime technology. As global naval competition increases, autonomous vessels are expected to play a larger role in future military operations.
