Integration of Thales SAMDIS 600 with HII REMUS 620: A Leap Forward in Undersea Autonomous Capabilities
Date and Location
London, UK – September 9, 2025
Successful Collaboration
HII (NYSE: HII) and Thales have announced the productive integration and operational assessment of the Thales SAMDIS 600 sonar system with HII’s advanced REMUS 620 Medium Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV). This integration signifies a substantial advancement in the capabilities available to naval forces globally.
Enhanced Operational Capabilities
The collaboration showcases the efficient compatibility of Thales’s state-of-the-art multi-aspect synthetic aperture sonar system, SAMDIS 600, with the REMUS 620’s modular design, which is characterized by its long endurance. The convergence of these technologies facilitates:
- Autonomous Mine Detection: Enhanced capability to autonomously identify underwater threats.
- Advanced Classification: Improved methods for classifying various types of underwater mines.
- High-Resolution Imaging: Superior imaging quality for identifying and monitoring subsea infrastructures.
These capabilities promise to enhance undersea security, mine countermeasure operations, and the oversight of underwater assets.
Field Exercise Milestone
The integration exercise was conducted at HII’s Pocasset facility in Massachusetts at the end of August 2025. This milestone is pivotal in the evolution of autonomous undersea mine countermeasure strategies, aligning with evolving naval operations.
Insights from Industry Leaders
Duane Fotheringham, president of HII’s Mission Technologies’ Unmanned Systems division, emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating, “Integrating Thales’ SAMDIS 600 sensor within the REMUS 620 highlights the power of collaborative innovation tailored for our defense clients. This achievement not only illustrates the REMUS 620’s adaptability but also underscores the importance of strong industry partnerships in delivering cutting-edge, interoperable solutions that enhance undersea operational superiority.”
Paul Armstrong, Managing Director of Underwater Systems at Thales UK, added, “The SAMDIS system enhances mission efficacy, enabling precise acoustic identification through its multi-aspect and high-resolution capabilities. This accomplishment exemplifies the strength of our collaboration with HII, showcasing how combined expertise can deliver advanced solutions that directly benefit operational missions.”
Legacy of Leadership
The partnership between HII and Thales builds on a rich legacy of excellence in unmanned and underwater systems. As the world’s foremost exporter of naval sonar systems, Thales contributes unparalleled expertise. Meanwhile, HII’s REMUS family of UUVs has set the standard for modular and reliable autonomous undersea vehicles, solidifying its position as a benchmark in this domain.
This collaborative effort marks a meaningful step forward in the quest for enhanced naval capabilities, aligning with the strategic imperatives of NATO and allied maritime forces. The integration of advanced technologies like SAMDIS 600 within robust platforms like the REMUS 620 showcases the future of mine countermeasures and undersea dominance.
