LIG Nex1 as the lead company for the DAPA’s unmanned vehicles research project has completed the development of numerous prototypes including the Sea Sword-II reconnaissance USV, Sea Sword-III combat USV and Sea Sword-V capable of being deployed from ships, featuring a diverse portfolio of operational and mission-specific variants.
According to LIG Nex1 officials at YIDEX 2024, LIG Nex1 is the only domestic company to have passed the sailing performance test in real sea conditions with maximum wave heights of 2.5 meters, proving its capability to navigate in Sea State 4. Last year, they established facilities capable of constructing four unmanned vessels simultaneously. Additionally, as a leading developer and producer of guided weapons in South Korea, LIG Nex1 is currently preparing to modularize and equip various guided weapon systems to its combat USVs, including the Poniard low-cost guided imaging rocket (LOGIR).
Poniard 2.75-inch Guided Rocket
The LIG Nex1’s Poniard LOGIR is a 2.75-inch (70mm) rocket modified with Imaging-Infra-Red (IIR) seekers to effectively strike multiple classes of vessels, from small PT-boats to enemy Landing Craft Air Cushions (LCACs), at a significantly low cost. It is capable of simultaneous tracking and responding to multiple targets and can be fired from helicopters and multipurpose land vehicles.
Currently, LIG Nex1’s Poniard LOGIR is scheduled for its final weapon performance evaluation by the U.S. Department of Defense during RIMPAC 2024 this coming July. This evaluation is part of the United States Foreign Comparative Test (FCT). If the Poniard passes, it will represent a historic milestone as the first South Korean weapon system to be exported to the United States.
At YIDEX 2024, LIG Nex1 also displayed actual models of its USV lineups for visitors. Below are the models showcased during the event.
LIG Nex1 Sea Sword-II
The Sea Sword-II is one of three USV models (Sea Sword II, III, and V) developed as part of a national project from 2018 to 2020. It is a reconnaissance USV platform capable of conducting surface and underwater reconnaissance missions. Equipped with an ROV module that can automatically deploy and retrieve an ROV at the stern, it is effective in detecting sea mines and other underwater vessels or vehicles in Sea State 3 or higher. The platform is outfitted with multiple sensors, including a navigation camera, EO/IR sensors, obstacle detection sensors, radar, communications antenna, GPS, Automatic Identification System (AIS), and autonomous navigation/obstacle avoidance AI. Lastly, a 20mm Gatling gun can optionally be mounted on the bow for extra firepower.
Length: 12m
Beam: 3.5m
Displacement: 9.2ton (light load)
Speed: more than 40 knots
Operation Range: up to 20km (extensible with repeater)
EO/IR Tracking: 7km (multi-targeting up to 2 EA)
LIG Nex1 Sea Sword-III
The Sea Sword-III is the combat USV variant of the Sea Sword lineup. Its notable differences from the Sea Sword-II include an extended length and beam to accommodate weapon systems such as the Poniard LOGIR launcher and RCWS.
Length: 15m
Beam: 3.8m
Displacement: 9.8ton (light load)
Speed: more than 40 knots
Operation Range: up to 20km (extensible with repeater)
LIG Nex1 Sea Sword-V
The Sea Sword-V is the smallest among the Sea Sword variants and is developed to be mounted on and deployed from vessels. Originally considered for use by the Korean Coast Guard, the Sea Sword-V is equipped with a water cannon that can be used to extinguish fires on ships requiring rescue from maritime disasters. The water cannon can be replaced with a RCWS (Remote Controlled Weapon Station) for combat purposes. Additionally, the USV features a variable electric mast to fit into tight hangar spaces. Finally, like the other Sea Sword models, it can sail in Sea State 4 and has an autonomous navigation system.
Length: 8m
Beam: 2.3m
Displacement: 3.2ton (light load)
Speed: more than 35 knots
Operation Range: up to 15km (extensible with repeater)
EO/IR Tracking: EO: 6km, IR: 3km (multi-targeting up to 2 EA)
Sea Sword KIT-I
The Sea Sword KIT-I is an unmanned kit designed to convert decommissioned ships or civilian-use ships, such as small fishing boats, into unmanned systems. This was the first time LIG Nex1 demonstrated the actual use of the kit to transform a decommissioned boat into an unmanned system, showcasing performance comparable to its Sea Sword series.
The exhibitor noted that the vessel could be used for reconnaissance, training, and in special cases, as a swarm explosive USV similar to those used by the Ukrainians. The Sea Sword KIT-I features autonomous navigation and obstacle avoidance AI, as well as EO/IR sensors and a 360-degree panoramic camera.
Operation Range: more than 15km (extensible with repeater)
EO/IR Tracking: EO: 6km, IR: 3km (multi-targeting up to 2 EA)
