This initiative builds on the companies’ strategic partnership formed in 2023 and follows the U.S. Navy’s first forward-deployed torpedo tube launch and recovery of a REMUS vehicle. Babcock’s systems are already in service with the submarine fleets of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Spain and South Korea.
Chris Kastner, HII president and chief executive officer, said: “This partnership demonstrates the promise of pairing Babcock’s handling and launch system technology with the capabilities of HII’s REMUS UUVs to strengthen the undersea advantage of our allies. I am proud of HII’s leadership in advancing autonomous maritime manned-unmanned teaming operations and excited about the opportunities this collaboration will unlock.”
Sir Nick Hine, Babcock chief executive marine, said: “Partnering with HII, we’re combining over a century of expertise in surface and sub-surface systems to further explore marine technologies and strengthen defense capabilities — this is just the beginning of future collaborations across marine programs.”
Babcock has designed, manufactured and supported submarine launch systems for the Royal Navy and international customers for more than five decades. Together with HII’s autonomous REMUS platform, both companies can provide customers with greater capability by integrating advanced UUV technology into existing and future platforms.
The U.S. Navy’s milestone operation reflects the broader shift in undersea warfare toward combined manned and unmanned operations. HII and Babcock’s partnership positions them, and their allied navy partners, to help lead this transformation.
HII has delivered more than 700 REMUS vehicles to over 30 countries, including 14 NATO members. More than 90 per cent of these remain in service, demonstrating durability and lifecycle value crucial for defence acquisition.
Source: HII (press release).
