May 6, 2026 As a leader in unmanned maritime platforms and mission-enabling technologies, HII is advancing a growing portfolio of capabilities designed to seamlessly integrate autonomous systems with crewed ships and submarines. These innovations directly support the U.S. Navy’s Hedge Strategy and its vision for Tailored Forces where manned and unmanned platforms operate as a unified, networked fleet. At the center of this effort is a critical operational challenge facing the U.S. and allied navies: enabling unmanned systems to launch, recover, communicate, and operate effectively alongside traditional platforms in dynamic, contested environments and high seas. As the nation’s largest military shipbuilder and a global leader in autonomous maritime systems, HII is developing technologies that allow naval forces to function as a coordinated, distributed network. This integration expands sensing and surveillance capabilities, extends mission reach, and reduces risk to sailors. “Autonomous unmanned systems are becoming a core component of naval operations,” said Eric Chewning, executive vice president of maritime systems and corporate strategy. “Our focus is on integrating these systems with crewed ships so they operate as a single network.” Autonomous Submarine UUV Launch and Recovery Working with the U.S. Navy and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), HII is advancing the autonomous torpedo-tube launch and recovery of unmanned underwater vehicles from Virginia-class submarines. Recent demonstrations included the first successful forward-deployed launch and recovery of the Yellow Moray unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV), a variant of HII’s REMUS 600, from the HII-built USS Delaware (SSN 791) and the recovery of a second-generation REMUS 620 in a submarine torpedo tube test fixture. In April 2026, HII was awarded a contract by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to deliver a submarine Torpedo Tube Launch and Recovery (TTLR) system for the autonomous deployment and recovery of HII’s REMUS unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) from U.S. Navy submarines.