The event, attended by naval officials and defence experts from around the globe, served as a crucial platform for South Korea’s defence industry to unveil its latest innovations in unmanned systems. This year’s exhibition emphasized the strategic importance of these advancements in enhancing naval operations and redefining maritime warfare.
During YIDEX 2024, the three Hanwha companies: Hanwha Systems, Hanwha Ocean, and Hanwha Aerospace, set up a combined booth to showcase their latest developments in surface vessels, submarines, and unmanned systems.
Hanwha Systems
Among all the latest developments, a key highlight of Hanwha’s presentation at YIDEX 2024 was its unmanned systems, including the actual vehicle of Hanwha Systems’ Recon USV ‘Sea GHOST‘. For navigation, ‘Sea GHOST’ features AI-based target and obstacle detection, a wave avoidance system that optimizes safe navigation by analyzing the surrounding maritime conditions, and autonomous docking technology.
For propulsion, it utilizes two waterjet engines to reach a top speed of 40 knots. At cruising speed, it uses electric propulsion, and diesel for high-speed sailing. It is equipped with interceptors to stabilize the ship when waves hit from both sides, ensuring stability during high-speed navigation. For mission systems, it is equipped with a 12.7mm RCWS, multi-beam side scan sonar, underwater communications for cooperation with AUVs, and RF, LTE, and satellite communications, establishing a multi-channel network for a wide range of operational connectivity. The use of low Earth orbit satellites to command the USV is one distinguished technology of Hanwha Systems’ USVs. The utilization of space communication satellites allows the USV to operate without constraints from communication dead zones and control range.
Hanwha Ocean
During YIDEX 2024, Naval News had the opportunity to discuss Hanwha Ocean’s recent selection as the preferred bidder for the concept design of the ROK Navy’s Recon UUV and Mine Warfare USV with the company representatives. Contrary to local media reports that described the project as a consortium between Hanwha Ocean and Hanwha Systems, it was clarified that Hanwha Ocean is the prime contractor, while Hanwha Systems will contribute as a technical advisor.
Given Hanwha Ocean’s pivotal role and Hanwha Systems’ extensive experience in developing advanced prototypes like the ‘Sea GHOST’ and the Anti-Submarine Warfare Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (ASWUUV), expectations are set high. Hanwha anticipates that the new designs for the UUV and USV will closely resemble these existing prototypes, which have already demonstrated promising capabilities in trials.
At last year’s MADEX 2023, Hanwha Ocean revealed three conceptual designs for their “GHOST Commander,” an unmanned command vessel. The standout among these was the 16,000-ton model capable of deploying fixed-wing UAVs, USVs, Recon UUVs, and Combat UUVs. This vessel, designed to enhance operational capabilities significantly, boasts a top speed of over 25 knots and measures about 200 meters in length.
The detailed graphics of the GHOST Commander were showcased again at YIDEX 2024, emphasizing its ongoing significance in aligning with the ROK Navy’s strategy to integrate unmanned systems into its fleet. This display also highlighted the vessel’s potential as an optimal alternative for the ROK Navy’s currently postponed carrier program.
Additionally, Hanwha Ocean has highlighted its latest developments in preparation for the upcoming KDDX program, with the decision on the lead ship expected this year. It is reported that in anticipation of constructing the KDDX, core technologies have been secured through research on the integration and verification of electric propulsion systems, as well as independent research on integrated masts. As part of the preliminary preparations for detailed design and construction, a comprehensive plan has been established for the timely deployment of the ship, and methods for installing and integrating newly developed equipment have been thoroughly reviewed.
