REMUS 620 UUV clears compatibility test with Virginia-class submarine systems

A successful test by HII, WHOI, and NUWCDIVNPT has validated the REMUS 620’s compatibility with Virginia-class submarine torpedo tube systems, marking a significant milestone in the US Navy’s push to deploy autonomous undersea vehicles from submarines.

As disclosed, a test by the joint team confirmed the compatibility of the REMUS 620 with the SAFECAP, Virginia-class submarine weapons handling and torpedo tube systems, and other critical interfaces.

This follows USS Delaware (SSN 791), built by HII, successfully completing the first-ever forward-deployed launch and recovery of a UUV via submarine torpedo tube with the Yellow Moray equipped REMUS 600 UUV.

“This clears the way for continued testing in advance of an in-water end-to-end launch and recovery at a U.S. Navy test fixture facility later this summer,” said Adrian Gonsalves, HII’s REMUS 620 product lead.

“Our team appreciated the early coordination with HII and WHOI. The REMUS 620 team arrived ready to go, and all events were executed safely and efficiently with good information exchange throughout. Much appreciate the full test team for its efforts,” Rick Thornton, NUWCDIVNPT Code 459, stated.

The REMUS UUV technology platform operates across modern naval operations, including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare, and electronic warfare.

These autonomous systems can operate independently or teamed with crewed platforms, such as Virginia-class nuclear submarines,, expanding operational reach.

At the beginning of this year, Uncrewed Systems, a business unit of HII’s Mission Technologies, tested the UUV on the US Navy’s confidence course. After shipping the vehicle from the factory in Pocasset, Massachusetts, to Keyport, Washington, the vehicle successfully underwent the full range of pre-mission checks and ballasting.