WASHINGTON -- On March 25, 2026, Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) released a video outlining plans for a new ROMULUS unmanned surface vessel (USV) assembly facility at Breaux Brothers Enterprises in New Iberia, Louisiana. The company also introduced High-Yield Production Robotics (HYPR), an initiative focused on applying industrial robotics and digital quality systems to unmanned platform manufacturing.

HII aims to move from prototype construction to scalable, repeatable production using automation, digital design, and standardized manufacturing processes. The approach is intended to lower unit costs, shorten production timelines, and support program-level delivery of the ROMULUS family of USVs.

The upgraded Breaux Brothers facility is designed to support serial production of ROMULUS vessels ranging from approximately 20 feet to 190 feet in length. The expanded layout intends to leverage automation, advanced tooling, and standardized workflows to enable efficient, high-rate production across multiple vessel variants using a common manufacturing approach.

HII’s HYPR initiative aims to integrate robotic welding, automated material handling, and digitally enabled quality assurance into an assembly-line environment optimized for ROMULUS production. In 2026, the company plans to conduct proof-of-concept demonstrations with multiple partners, with the goal of launching a full-scale pilot program in early 2027.

Source: HII
Associated URL: https://hii.com/news/hii-unveils-expanded-romulus-usv-assembly-facility-and-launches-hypr-robotics-initiative/

ROSYTH, United Kingdom -- The second Type 31 frigate planned for the U.K. Royal Navy, the HMS Active, was floated out in Rosyth, Scotland, on March 21, marking her first entry to water. The operation took place within the dockyard’s non-tidal basin following preparatory dredging to enable submersion of the heavy-lift barge transporting the vessel. The float-off utilized the Malin Augustea CD01 barge, also employed across the UK’s Type 26 frigate program.

The Type 31, or Inspiration class, program is intended to produce five hulls for the Royal Navy by 2030, though this delivery date has been challenged by delays. The lead ship, Venturer, is expected to enter service by 2027. Steel was cut for the fourth frigate of the class, Bulldog, in late February. All five ships will be constructed by Babcock International in Rosyth.

An additional four ships of this design are planned for Indonesia, with a further three to be built for the Polish Navy.

Source: Navy Lookout
Associated URL: https://www.navylookout.com/2nd-type-31-frigatehms-active-afloat-for-the-first-time/

MOSCOW -- Russia has reportedly announced plans to phase out its entire fleet of third-generation nuclear submarines by 2035 in favor of the newer Yasen-M class, according to Navy Chief Aleksandr Moiseyev. The comments came during an interview with the Russian newspaper Krasnaya Zvedza on March 18.

The move will see over a dozen Soviet-era submarines of the Oscar II, Akula, and Sierra classes taken out of service over the next decade. The Russian Navy will replace these older platforms with 10 to 12 Yasen-M submarines, slightly below a one-for-one replacement rate. Russia currently operates one Yasen and four Yasen-M submarines. The next boat of the class, Perm, is expected to enter service later this year.

A full replacement of older platforms with the newer design will enhance Russia's strike capacity, with the new boats capable of firing up to 32 missiles, including Kalibr cruise missiles, Oniks supersonic anti-ship missiles, and Zircon hypersonic missiles from eight vertical launch silos.

Source: United24
Associated URL: https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/navy-news/2026/russia-to-replace-all-nuclear-attack-submarines-with-new-yasen-and-yasen-m-units-by-2035#google_vignette
Author: Jerome Brahy