A collaboration between Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and the US Navy has validated the integration of the REMUS 620 unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) with Virginia-class submarine weapons and torpedo tube systems.
This milestone came after a successful dry run using the SAFECAP capsule at the Cradle Payload Integration Facility, demonstrating the drone’s compatibility with the Mk71 torpedo tube. SAFECAP is designed to monitor the lithium-ion battery condition during launch and recovery.
With this validation, in-water launch and recovery trials are expected to follow later this summer, potentially advancing submarine-based UUV operations.
REMUS 620 is a 3.1-meter-long, battery-powered UUV capable of reaching depths of 600 feet. It features up to 100 hours of endurance and a range of 275 nautical miles. Its modular design allows for diverse missions like surveillance, mine countermeasures, and electronic warfare, expanding submarine operational flexibility without risking crew safety.
