HII says autonomous ROMULUS-25 Watcher USV meets DIU PRIME prototype test goals
HII•ROMULUS-25 capabilities
ROMULUS-25 is designed for up to 1,000-pound payloads with range up to 1,000 nautical miles, using the Odyssey Autonomous Control System.
DIU PRIME prototype program completed
Huntington Ingalls Industries completed DIU’s PRIME prototype, validating its autonomous Watcher small USV based on the ROMULUS-25 platform.
Sea tests and autonomy assessments passed
Two vessels delivered in December 2025 passed sea tests, including government-led autonomy assessments, seakeeping evaluations, performance trials, and degraded-environment testing.
Operational objectives and production path
DIU cited autonomous long-range transit, loitering, threat monitoring, then sprint interdiction of noncooperative vessels as meeting Navy operational needs.
Program outcome positions the design for a potential production transition under Other Transaction Authority prototype agreements.
