LIG Nex1 completes USV test facility

South Korea's LIG Nex1 Co. announced on Friday that it completed a system assembly test facility dedicated to unmanned surface vehicles (USV) in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province.

The test facility was built with LIG Nex1's own funds. It has a total floor area of 1000㎡ and a water storage capacity of 1000 tons. It has a crane facility that can assemble and inspect four unmanned surface vehicles simultaneously. 

In this test facility, the company will conduct various system integration tests such as platforms, encompassing autonomous navigation devices, wireless communication, and armament systems, with the aim of bolstering overall performance and operational efficiency.

In 2015, LIG Nex1 developed Sea Sword, the USV for surveillance and reconnaissance with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) and Institute of Civil-Military Technology Cooperation (ICMTC). The Sea Sword series are maritime unmanned platform for future warfare that can perform various operations depending on the mission equipment. 

"USV stands as a pillar for next-generation combat systems, epitomized by projects like the Navy Sea GHOST and MUM-T," CEO Kim Ji-Chan said. 

"We will do our best to ensure that the completion of the USV system assembly test facility will lead to achievements that go beyond R&D to mass production and export."

Write to Mi-Sun Kang at misunny@hankyung.com