HII Closes Acquisition of Spatial Integrated Systems’ Autonomy Business

Huntington Ingalls Industries has expanded its unmanned systems portfolio following its acquisition of Spatial Integrated Systems’ autonomy business.

HII Executive Vice President Andy Green, a 2020 Wash100 winner and Potomac Officers Club member, considers the acquisition as the perfect complement to the shipbuilding company’s existing portfolio and strategic partnerships. 

Through the acquisition, HII now owns SIS’ unmanned surface vessel solutions, including multi-vehicle collaborative autonomy, sensor fusion and perception, which have been used throughout the Department of Defense, HII said. 

Specifically, SIS’ solutions have contributed to DOD operations such as intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, harbor patrol, high value unit escort missions, payload delivery, mine clearance and supply transport. USV solutions developed by SIS are compliant with Unmanned Maritime Autonomy Architecture standards and International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, according to HII.

In addition to acquiring new USV solutions, 50 SIS employees based in Virginia Beach, Virginia have transferred to HII Technical Solutions’ unmanned systems business group. SIS’ president and chief operating officer, Sam Lewis, will be tasked with leading the division’s USV efforts. 

Duane Fotheringham, president of unmanned systems at HII Technical Solutions, touted SIS’ leadership in autonomous technology. According to Fotheringham, the company’s USV solutions and employees bring unmatched capabilities in multi-domain collaborative autonomy and perception to HII. 

The addition of SIS’ autonomy business to HII builds on the shipbuilding company’s other unmanned systems activities. Recently, HII acquired advanced marine robotics specialist Hydroid and entered into a strategic alliance with Kongsberg Maritime. 

The company also began construction of the new HII Unmanned Systems Center of Excellence in Hampton, Virginia.