HHI acquires underwater technology company Hydroid

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) has completed its previously announced acquisition of underwater technology company Hydroid from Kongsberg Maritime for $350m.

HII and Kongsberg Maritime have also formed a strategic alliance to provide naval and maritime products and services to the US Government and the global markets.

The acquisition was announced last month and broadens HII’s capability to develop autonomous and unmanned maritime systems.

Hydroid will also become part of HII’s Technical Solutions Unmanned Systems business unit, which includes unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV) such as the Orca.

Orca is developed in partnership with Boeing and Proteus.

The acquisition means HII now has capabilities in the medium and small UUV space from the Remus, as well as Seaglider autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) or marine robots.

HII executive vice-president and Technical Solutions president Andy Green said: “The combination of HII and Hydroid brings together the full range of UUVs.

“Combined, we can now offer a comprehensive suite of autonomous underwater vehicle systems that address our customers’ needs.

“While this is a perfect complement to our existing UUV business, more importantly, it brings together brilliant and talented people who are at the leading edge of unmanned systems technology.”

Hydroid’s UUV delivers sensors to sensitive areas and collects data in all operational environments. The company’s vehicles have also been involved with undersea mine countermeasures.

Hydroid has been providing solutions to the US Navy and its allies with combat-proven UUVs across the world. Its services are used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance applications.

Previously serving as Hydroid president and chairman of the board, Duane Fotheringham will now serve as Unmanned Systems president.

Former Technical Solution unmanned maritime systems senior director Mary White will serve as new Unmanned Systems business vice-president of operations and strategy.