South Korean trio joins forces on autonomous combat USV control systems

South Korean shipbuilder HJ Shipbuilding & Construction (HJSC) has formed a consortium with LIG Nex1 and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries to secure a government-led core technology development project for combat unmanned surface vehicle (USV) integrated control and autonomous mission systems.

For the project, HJSC has signed a development agreement with the Korea Research Institute for Defense Technology Planning and Advancement (KRIT) as the designer and builder of a large-scale USV platform for technology verification. This is the first time that such technologies for combat USVs are being developed in the Republic of Korea.

A combat USV is an unmanned combat vessel that is capable of conducting surveillance, reconnaissance, and engagement missions at sea through remote control or autonomous navigation.

Recently, it has emerged as a key factor of future manned–unmanned integrated maritime combat systems since it can minimize personnel risk and utilize AI-based automation technologies.

The goal of this core technology program, promoted by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) and KRIT, is to develop essential technologies required for the Batch-II system development of combat USVs. It is considered that these technologies are essential for advancing the navy Sea GHOST system, which is ‘the backbone’ of the ROK Navy’s manned–unmanned integrated combat framework.

Furthermore, the LIG–HD–HJ consortium plans to construct a large combat USV that has a capacity of validating integrated control systems and autonomous mission execution technologies. Following the proposal evaluation conducted by KDITA, the consortium was named as the preferred bidder in August.

“We promise that we will further elevate the global standing of K-Defense by aggressively participating in the development of high-performance, high-reliability combat USV core technologies, which can be the game changer of future warfare,” an official from HJSC commented.

To remind, HJSC recently secured its first contract for the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of the US Navy’s logistics support vessel.

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