In a milestone for autonomous naval operations, HII and Shield AI have completed a successful dual-autonomy integration test aboard the ROMULUS unmanned surface vessel (USV). The trial represents a significant step toward merging advanced autonomy frameworks for future naval fleets.
The achievement was announced at the Indo Pacific International Maritime Expo, following a three-day sea trial in late October. During the test, Shield AI’s Hivemind mission autonomy software was integrated with HII’s Odyssey autonomy suite on the ROMULUS 20 USV, allowing both systems to communicate and coordinate vessel behavior in real-time maritime scenarios.
This trial also marked a historic first for Hivemind, which had previously demonstrated combat-proven performance in aerial systems but had never been tested on a seaborne platform. Its successful integration with HII’s Odyssey suite showcased the software’s adaptability across multiple domains.
The test highlights the accelerating evolution of dual-autonomy technology, where multiple AI systems collaborate to enhance maritime awareness, mission flexibility, and operational resilience. The success of the ROMULUS trial positions HII and Shield AI as leaders in developing next-generation autonomous naval vessels for defense and surveillance missions.
