HII and Shield AI announced at the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition the successful completion of the first major test of their integrated autonomy solution aboard HII’s ROMULUS unmanned surface vessel (USV). The milestone marks a pivotal step toward operational deployment of HII’s AI-enabled ROMULUS fleet, reinforcing both companies’ leadership in advanced defense autonomy.
Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy software works with the Hivemind Enterprise SDK. It integrated smoothly with HII’s Odyssey autonomy suite on a ROMULUS 20 USV. This happened during a three-day test off Virginia Beach, Virginia, in late October. This milestone marks Hivemind’s first maritime deployment. Hivemind is a proven system. It helps unmanned platforms carry out complex missions. They can operate across different areas without GPS or constant communication.
“This collaboration between HII and Shield AI showcases how adaptable autonomy frameworks can accelerate development,” said Andy Green, president of HII’s Mission Technologies division. “Using the Hivemind Enterprise SDK, our teams integrated capabilities quickly and effectively. The successful deployment on ROMULUS 20 validates the power of this partnership and paves the way for even greater autonomy across the ROMULUS fleet.”
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Advancing Maritime Autonomy at Speed and Scale
The ROMULUS line brings a new type of modular, high-performance unmanned surface vessels. These vessels are built on commercial-standard hulls. This design allows for rapid production, flexible configurations, and scalable mission capabilities. The lead vessel, ROMULUS 190, is currently under construction. Built for speed and endurance, it can exceed 25 knots. It travels up to 2,500 nautical miles and holds four 40-foot ISO containers for modular missions. ROMULUS 190 will use Odyssey and Hivemind technologies. This will enable next-generation autonomous operations.
Expanding Hivemind from Air to Sea
Hivemind is Shield AI’s mission autonomy software. It has been tested in combat. This software lets unmanned systems carry out smart, coordinated missions. It works well in places without GPS or communications. Hivemind has shown it works well in the air. Now, it’s expanding into the maritime sector by partnering with HII. They are integrating Hivemind and Odyssey across the ROMULUS fleet. This will enable multi-agent autonomy, improve mission execution, and help crewed and uncrewed assets work together smoothly in complex naval operations.
“Delivering autonomy across domains is key to maintaining a credible deterrent posture in today’s complex geopolitical environment. Each integration strengthens Hivemind’s role as the leading autonomy solution for defense systems,” said Nathan Michael, Shield AI’s chief technology officer and head of the Hivemind business unit. “Through close collaboration with HII and the shared use of Shield AI’s modular, open architecture SDK, we integrated advanced maritime capabilities in less than six weeks — work that typically takes months or years. We look forward to continuing to expand multi-domain autonomy together.”
Accelerating the Future of AI-Driven Defense Systems
By combining Shield AI’s cutting-edge autonomy software with HII’s extensive maritime expertise as the United States’ largest shipbuilder and global leader in unmanned vehicle solutions, the companies are charting the course for the next generation of intelligent, adaptive defense systems. The integration of Hivemind and Odyssey establishes a framework for rapid, cross-domain autonomy, ensuring readiness and resilience for future naval and joint operations.
“The successful test of ROMULUS demonstrates not only the technical maturity of our systems but also the power of collaboration,” added Green. “It’s a glimpse into the future of intelligent maritime operations – scalable, responsive, and ready for real-world missions.”