HII and MetalCraft Marine Deliver Autonomous Vessel Prototypes to US Marine Corps

The defense shipbuilding giant Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), along with premium workboat manufacturer MetalCraft Marine Inc., has sea tested and delivered two unmanned surface vessels (USVs) named ROMULUS-25. The delivery supports a Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) initiative to provide small-form-factor autonomous surface craft for Marine Corps operations on May 15, 2026.

“Successfully delivering on this prototype contract with the Defense Innovation Unit and the U.S. Marine Corps is a strong recognition of HII’s deep experience and the maturity of our proven autonomous technologies,” said Andy Green, executive vice president of HII and president of HII’s Mission Technologies division.

ROMULUS 190, the flagship of the ROMULUS family, was first unveiled on September 9, 2025, as a project partnered with Breaux Brothers, Beier Integrated Systems, and Incat Crowther. The ROMULUS fleet, which ranges from 7-foot micro-USVs to the ROMULUS-190 (a 190-foot aluminum Unmanned Surface Vessel), is designed to serve the interests of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and allied forces.

According to HII, the ROMULUS-25 is a 27-foot tactical interceptor capable of transporting up to 1,000 pounds of payload over an operational range of 1,000 nautical miles at high speeds. The vessel is powered by HII’s Odyssey AI-based autonomy system, which combines diverse sensors and effectors for synchronized, cross-domain maritime deployment, providing full autonomous capabilities for military use.