HII recently provided embedded field support personnel for the multinational mine countermeasures exercise NAUTILUS, hosted by the Royal New Zealand Navy’s (RNZN) dive and hydrographic team, HMNZS MATATAUA.

The Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) mine countermeasures (MCM) cadre participated in the exercise at the remote training area of Tauranga Bay in northern New Zealand, gaining initial vehicle familiarization and mission training. Both nations benefited from hands-on expeditionary operations involving beach launch and recovery, Littoral Maneuver Craft deployment of HII’s REMUS 300 unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), and training on the ODYSSEY Autonomy Mission Planning Software.

The RAN will soon accept several REMUS 300 UUVs to enhance its MCM operations, and the exercise provided an opportunity for early familiarization with the systems alongside highly experienced operators.

Support from HII Software Engineer Eric Bernard and New Zealand Ocean Technology Mechatronics Engineer Jack Towers, who were fully integrated into the exercise team, helped maximize training outcomes and vehicle operational availability.

“This was a great opportunity to see REMUS in use by sailors and how it contributes to supporting our allies and partners around the globe,” said Eric Bernard, Odyssey Software Engineer. “It was amazing to be part of not only a multinational exercise, but also the partnership between industry and our military customers.”

“Seeing the New Zealand and Australian sailors working together in this expeditionary environment was inspiring,” said Gary Rogeness, director of Unmanned Systems Business Development. “Their professionalism and camaraderie were evident throughout the exercise.”

(HII)