HII and manufacturing partner Bayou Metal Supply & Manufacturing have launched a dedicated production line in Louisiana to accelerate construction of the ROMULUS unmanned surface vessel (USV) as the program moves from prototype development into serial production.
The new manufacturing line in Slidell, Louisiana, will produce major structural components for the AI-enabled vessel, including precision-cut, bent, welded, and assembled sections that will be shipped to Breaux Brothers Enterprises for final integration.
Bayou Metals will also supply the marine-grade aluminum used in the platform’s construction.
This arrangement is designed to streamline production and reduce bottlenecks by completing much of the fabrication work before components reach the shipyard.
HII executive vice president Andy Green said partnerships like Bayou Metals are “essential to delivering capability at speed and scale.”
“Their ability to combine material supply with advanced fabrication strengthens our production model, reduces risk, and accelerates delivery of the ROMULUS USV to the fleet,” he said.
ROMULUS Program Builds Momentum
The dedicated production line marks the latest step in the ROMULUS program’s transition toward operational deployment.
In March, HII announced plans to build a new assembly center in Louisiana for its USV, in partnership with Breaux Brothers Enterprises at its New Iberia facility.
Also in March, HII partnered with engineering firm Nominal to enhance data collection and analysis across its ROMULUS and REMUS unmanned underwater systems.
The company previously said in December 2025 that the ROMULUS platform is scheduled for sea trials in late 2026.
