Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) and Thales have successfully completed integration trials of the SAMDIS 600 sonar with the next-generation REMUS 620 unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) at HII’s Pocasset test facility in Massachusetts. The demonstration marked a key step in advancing undersea autonomous capabilities by pairing advanced sonar with a modular, long-endurance platform.
The collaboration brings together Thales’ high-resolution synthetic aperture sonar technology with HII’s REMUS 620, enabling precise detection, classification, and mapping of subsea objects. Designed primarily for mine detection, underwater security, and infrastructure monitoring, the SAMDIS 600 adds a new layer of capability to autonomous underwater operations.
The REMUS 620, measuring 7 meters (23 feet) in length, is built for endurance and versatility. It can travel up to 80 kilometers (50 miles), sustain operations for over 24 hours, and reach depths of about 1,000 meters (3,280 feet). With a top speed of 5 knots (9 kilometers per hour), it offers the endurance and flexibility needed for military and security missions.
Both companies emphasized that the successful integration demonstrates the value of cross-industry cooperation in producing cutting-edge undersea tools. They noted that the combined system enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of underwater missions, while offering scalable solutions for future naval operations.
