LIG Nex1 press release – Translation by Naval News
LIG Nex1 has finalized a contract with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) for the “Reconnaissance Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) Development Project.” This marks significant progress toward advancing unmanned surface vehicle technology, a core component of future maritime unmanned systems, and completing the Republic of Korea Navy’s integrated manned-unmanned combat system, the “Navy Sea GHOST.”
The project, valued at 39.86 billion KRW (274 Million USD), aims to enhance surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities as well as rapid response for forward naval bases and key ports. Under the company’s leadership, two 12-meter unmanned surface vehicles will be developed by 2027.
Since 2015, LIG Nex1 has accumulated relevant experience and expertise by independently developing the “Sea Sword” series of unmanned surface vehicles under civilian-military projects. Future development plans include integration with low-earth-orbit commercial satellites to expand operational range.
Once the development of these unmanned surface vehicles—the first of their kind to be deployed in Korea—is completed, they are expected to become a flagship defense system for penetrating global defense markets. The modularization of weapons and detection systems will enable the vehicles to support a wide range of mission equipment, with plans to diversify their functionalities.
LIG Nex1 envisions these developments as reliable solutions for the rapidly evolving nature of future warfare, cementing its leadership in the maritime platform sector.
Naval News comments
Since 2015, LIG Nex1 has been developing the “Sea Sword” series of unmanned surface vessels (USVs). Through its accumulated research and development experience, the company has established expertise in the design and construction of USVs as well as unmanned systems technologies. Aligning with the Republic of Korea Navy’s Navy Sea GHOST program, LIG Nex1 has unveiled various USV platforms over the years, including the Sea Sword-2, Sea Sword-3, and Sea Sword-5.
Both Hanwha Systems and LIG Nex1 were competing for the Reconnaissance USV project, with both companies showcasing life-size models of their USVs earlier this year at YIDEX 2024, where Naval News had the opportunity to learn more about them. While LIG Nex1 ultimately won DAPA’s Reconnaissance USV project, Hanwha Systems last month secured the Mine Warfare Combat System project. This system will incorporate AI-based mine detection technology utilizing big data, which was granted to Hanwha Systems last year as part of the ‘Rapid Acquisition’ task. This enables both companies to advance future technologies related to manned-unmanned teaming in reconnaissance and naval mine warfare operations.
Meanwhile, during the “Strategy Seminar on the Application of Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) Combat Systems,” the ROK Navy discussed its future plans to overcome the current limitations of the MUM-T concept by considering flagship projects such as an 800-ton Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) capable of operating and commanding unmanned assets as a replacement for the current PKG, as well as a 100-ton-class combat Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) designed for close combat and conducting manned-unmanned combined maritime security operations alongside the OPV. It appears the ROK Navy is considering larger USVs for its future fleet because these offer more capabilities compared to small, tactical USVs. Likewise, Naval News understands South Korea is currently looking at a “Combat USV” design with both Hanwha Systems and LIG Nex1 proposing their own solution and design.
