Sea Sword-II previously proved its operability in a performance test conducted off the coast of South Gyeongsang Province’s South Sea. In April 2021, its sea worthiness was regarded as equivalent to the combat-oriented Sea Sword-3, even being capable of operations at 2.5 meter high waves.
The major technology acquired is the ability to conduct reconnaissance operations based on the first-localized combination of surface and underwater unmanned platforms, overcoming strong and high tide. Other technical advances, such as multi-sensor data integration, mapping, and motion control, were also obtained, allowing for reconnaissance in a variety of maritime conditions.
The company explained that this success, achieved with local technology without foreign dependence, will help gain market competitiveness and be a step forward for maritime unmanned robots.
Co-invested by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy (MOTIE) and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), Sea Sword-II was developed by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) for both commercial and military purposes.
“We will do our best to gain domestically unrivaled leadership as a “first mover” in the field of maritime unmanned systems, and to expand to foreign markets such as the Middle East and Southeast Asia based on such a position.”
Jaegwan Yoo, LIG Nex1 Unmanned System Research Center
Not only will Sea Sword-2 be used for patrolling activities underwater or on the surface, but it is also intended to be utilized strategically in MCM purposes, as well as to aid in underwater research or construction, civilian rescue, and so on.
About Sea Sword-II:
Sea Sword-II USV was first unveiled by LIG Nex1 in the MADEX-2019 exhibition in Busan, South Korea. It is 12 meters long, has a beam of 3.5 meters, and has a weight of 11 tons when fully loaded. It is powered by two diesel engines, providing a maximum speed of 35 knots. It has an operational endurance of about 180 nm at 20 knots.
It is specifically configured for surveillance and armed reconnaissance missions of littoral areas near military bases and radar blind zones. The Sea Sword II is a multi-mission platform featuring re-configurable mission modules. Besides the aforementioned tasks, it can perform specialized missions, such as mine countermeasure and surface warfare, thanks to the 2.75’’/70 mm multiple rocket launcher located at the stern. Additional armament includes a Hyundai WIA 12.7 mm remote-controlled weapon station.
Surface and surveillance radar, as well as mast-mounted EO/IR, gyrostabilized gimbal, laser targeting and identification system, LIDAR, and wide-area cameras, are all part of the sensor suite. Because remotely piloting a large USV in uncharted seas is still difficult, LIG Nex1 included real-time underwater reconnaissance utilizing scan sonar and a homemade autonomous navigation system capable of obstacle avoidance.
