New Zealand becomes first international customer for new REMUS 300 unmanned underwater vehicles

 

The REMUS 300 small UUV, which was ordered by the Royal New Zealand Navy from American company Huntington Ingalls Industries. Photo c/o Naval Technology.

American shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced on 21 June 2021 that it has secured an order from the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) for four REMUS 300 unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV).

New Zealand is the first international export market for the REMUS 300 UUV, and will become its second user after the US Navy.

The new UUVs will be used by the RNZN for mine countermeasures and survey operations, and will complement the fleet's six REMUS 100 UUVs that have been in service for 14 years.

The RNZN has also used its older REMUS 100 UUVs for other purposes including search and recovery, as displayed during the locating of the wreck of the Princess Askiha ferry in 2009, and assisting with the White Island volcano search efforts in 2019.

HII President for Unmanned Systems Duane Fotheringham said they are pleased with New Zealand's decision to upgrade their UUV fleet with the new REMUS 300 UUV, as technology has progressed significantly over the past few years with the REMUS 300 representing these improvements.

The REMUS 300 UUV can be reconfigured with a range of payloads and sensors depending on mission requirements of the end user. 

As part of the acquisition of new UUVs, the RNZN has also ordered the acquisition of new high-definition camera modules and swappable battery modules.

HII is expected to delivery all four REMUS 300 UUVs by summer of 2022.




[1] Huntington Ingalls Industries
[2] Naval Technology