New US-developed UUV gets commercial release

US defence and technology firm Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) has confirmed the commercial release of its Remus 300 unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV).

This new, open architecture, small-class UUV is designed dive to depths of 1,300 feet (305 metres) while its modular construction will enable it to accommodate a variety of mission-specific payloads.

Applications will include mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, hydrographic survey, rapid environmental assessment, search and recovery, and marine research. Modular energy sections will also allow for field replacement of 1.5, 3.0 or 4.5kWh lithium-ion batteries enabling up to 10, 20, or 30 hours of endurance.

The UUV can sail at speeds of up to five knots and will feature a 1TB removable hard drive.