HII and Shield AI Demonstrate Autonomous Capabilities of ROMULUS Unmanned Surface Vessel

Milivox analysis: Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) and Shield AI have successfully demonstrated the autonomous capabilities of the ROMULUS unmanned surface vessel (USV), marking a notable step forward in integrating artificial intelligence with naval platforms. The test showcases growing momentum in U.S. Navy efforts to field distributed maritime assets for contested environments.

Background

The ROMULUS USV is a collaborative development between HII’s Unmanned Systems division and defense tech firm Shield AI. The platform is part of a broader push by the U.S. Department of Defense to integrate autonomy into maritime operations under initiatives like the Ghost Fleet Overlord and Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO) programs.

Shield AI brings its proprietary Hivemind software—a self-driving autonomy stack initially developed for aerial platforms like the Nova quadcopter UAV—to maritime environments through this partnership. Huntington Ingalls Industries contributes its experience in naval shipbuilding and integration of complex combat systems.

The successful demonstration occurred off the coast of Panama City, Florida, where ROMULUS conducted a multi-day mission involving fully autonomous navigation without GPS or remote operator control. The test scenario included threat avoidance maneuvers in open water—a key capability for distributed maritime operations.

Technical Overview

ROMULUS is a medium-displacement unmanned surface vessel designed for scalable autonomy missions such as ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance), electronic warfare support, or logistics resupply. While exact dimensions were not disclosed publicly by either company during this trial phase, imagery suggests it falls within the same class as other medium USVs like those used in Ghost Fleet Overlord—approximately 12–15 meters long with modular payload bays.

The core enabling technology is Shield AI’s Hivemind software stack. Originally fielded on Group 1–3 UAVs such as Nova and V-BAT via partnerships with Kratos and Northrop Grumman respectively, Hivemind enables real-time decision-making without GPS or communications links—critical for operations in denied or degraded environments (D3).

• Navigation: Autonomous route planning using onboard sensors (likely EO/IR cameras fused with inertial navigation units).
• C2 Resilience: Operates without reliance on SATCOM or RF links; can function autonomously if jammed or spoofed.
• Modularity: Payload bay supports ISR sensors or EW pods; future variants may integrate loitering munitions or mine countermeasures.
• Endurance: Estimated multi-day endurance based on test duration; likely diesel-electric propulsion system optimized for low acoustic signature.

This marks one of the first public demonstrations of Hivemind operating on a seaborne platform—suggesting cross-domain portability that aligns with DoD’s Joint All-Domain Command & Control (JADC2) vision.

Operational or Strategic Context

The U.S. Navy has prioritized unmanned systems as part of its Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO) doctrine to counter peer adversaries like China across vast oceanic theaters such as the Indo-Pacific. Autonomous vessels like ROMULUS are intended to augment manned fleets by performing high-risk ISR missions or acting as decoys/sensors ahead of strike groups.

This demonstration aligns with recent investments under DARPA’s NOMARS program (No Manning Required Ship), which seeks to develop purpose-built USVs that eliminate human-centric design constraints entirely. While NOMARS focuses on larger displacement hulls (~500 tons), platforms like ROMULUS offer near-term operational utility at lower cost points.

The ability to operate without GPS also addresses vulnerabilities exposed during recent conflicts where GNSS denial has become commonplace—such as Russia’s jamming campaigns over Ukraine and Syria. According to Milivox experts, this makes Hivemind-equipped vessels particularly relevant for gray zone operations and contested littoral zones like the South China Sea or Baltic region.

Market or Industry Impact

This trial positions both companies competitively within a rapidly expanding defense segment. According to FY2024 budget documents from the U.S. Navy’s Unmanned Maritime Systems Program Office (PMS-406), funding for medium USVs will exceed $300 million annually by FY2026—driven by demand for scalable autonomy across fleet components.

• For HII: This adds depth to its unmanned portfolio beyond large-displacement XLUUVs like Orca; it also complements its acquisition of Hydroid/Kongsberg Maritime assets in recent years.
• For Shield AI: Demonstrates cross-domain scalability of its flagship autonomy product line—potentially opening doors to joint programs across Navy/Marine Corps/U.S. SOCOM domains.
• For competitors: Puts pressure on traditional shipbuilders and autonomy vendors such as L3Harris Technologies’ CUSV line or Leidos’ Sea Hunter program to accelerate integration timelines.

If scaled successfully into procurement programs such as MUSV Increment II or future Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) kits for Marines, ROMULUS could represent a significant production opportunity over the next decade.

Milivox Commentary

This demonstration reflects more than just technical progress—it signals maturation in how U.S.-based defense primes are integrating commercial-grade autonomy into naval architectures built around survivability and mission flexibility rather than brute force alone. As assessed by Milivox experts, platforms like ROMULUS embody an emerging doctrine shift where “attritable” assets perform critical sensing roles while preserving high-value manned ships from early engagement risks in A2/AD zones.

The successful deployment also validates Shield AI’s strategy of building domain-agnostic autonomy stacks—a vision shared by competitors such as Anduril Industries but rarely proven across both air and sea domains at this level of fidelity. If future tests confirm reliability under adverse conditions—including GPS jamming/emission control scenarios—ROMULUS could become a template system for allied navies seeking affordable force multiplication tools without full-scale capital ship investments.