HII (NYSE: HII) and Applied Intuition signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on developing AI-defined capabilities for naval platforms. The agreement was signed at the Sea-Air-Space Exposition 2026.

The partnership will focus on advancing Applied Intuition's Warship OS, an AI-defined operating system designed to integrate data and artificial intelligence across maritime platforms. The collaboration aims to improve ship performance and enable autonomy across both unmanned and manned vessels.

"By combining HII's extensive shipbuilding and unmanned maritime expertise with Applied Intuition's advanced AI capabilities, we are accelerating the development of AI-defined warships that can adapt to rapidly evolving mission needs," said Eric Chewning, HII executive vice president of maritime systems and corporate strategy.

Under the agreement, the companies will integrate Applied Intuition's operating system software into HII's ROMULUS family of unmanned surface vessels currently under construction at the Breaux Brothers shipyard in Louisiana. The collaboration will also explore extending Warship OS to future crewed naval platforms, with HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding division participating in development for next-generation surface combatants.

"Warship OS is a fundamental shift in how naval capability is developed and deployed," said Peter Ludwig, co-founder and CTO of Applied Intuition. "By bringing an AI-defined approach to maritime platforms, we can dramatically accelerate the pace of innovation and give operators the flexibility to adapt to evolving mission needs in real time."

HII describes itself as the nation's largest shipbuilder and manufacturer of autonomous surface and underwater unmanned vehicles. Applied Intuition, founded in 2017 and valued at $15 billion, develops AI, simulation, and operating systems for autonomous machines across multiple industries.

The companies will also explore Warship OS integration on HII's REMUS unmanned underwater vehicles as part of their ongoing technical collaboration.