HII has received a contract to deliver a REMUS 620 underwater drone to an Indo-Pacific customer.
The vehicle has a maximum range of 275 nautical miles (500 kilometers/300 miles) and is equipped with a 110-hour battery for endurance operations.
It can dive 600 meters (1,900 feet) and carry both wet and dry payloads depending on user requirements.
The REMUS 620 can be used for mine countermeasures, surveillance and intelligence gathering, electronic warfare, and hydrographic surveys.
Second Order Since Launch
HII launched the REMUS 620 in November 2022 as the “first” medium underwater drone for above and below long-range missions.
The company completed the system’s in-water test in October 2023 and its initial sea trial two months later.
In August 2023, HII signed the first REMUS 620 order with the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to support a restoration project on sea floor areas affected by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
The latest agreement marks HII’s second contract for the drone variant to date.
“The REMUS 620 is the premier medium-class [unmanned underwater vehicle] designed for adaptability, versatility and long range operations,” HII Mission Technologies Unmanned Systems President Duane Fotheringham stated.
“Its adaptability to a wide range of missions, from oceanographic research to defense operations, showcases the innovative spirit of our team and the advanced capabilities of our technology.”
REMUS 130
HII’s Indo-Pacific contract followed the company’s introduction of a new system based on its REMUS product line.
The REMUS 130 is a smaller variant with a 100-meter (300-foot) operational depth and 10-hour battery life, maintaining a long service life while keeping the proven functionalities of previous REMUS iterations.