Korea’s LIG Nex1 to export unmanned surface vessel

GUMI, North Gyeongsang Province — South Korean defense maker LIG Nex1 Co. aims to export its unmanned surface vessel (USV) under development and integrate it with other products such as drones and robots.

“We will pioneer export markets by converging the USV with drones and robots,” said Ryu Jae-Kwan, head of LIG’s unmanned system research center, at the company’s manufacturing complex in Gumi, North Gyeongsang province, 250 kilometers (155 miles) southeast of Seoul.

“USV technology is also expected to be applied to military drones and robots,” Ryu added.

The USV is regarded as a game changer for future naval warfare given that the ship, which operates on the water's surface without a crew, can perform sea mine hunting, reconnaissance, combat and other missions.

The global USV market is expected to reach $2.8 billion by 2030 at a compound annual growth rate of 13.7%, according to market research firm Data Bridge Market Research.

PREFERRED BIDDER FOR KOREA’S USV PROJECT

LIG has been speeding up USV development ever since the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), Korea’s state-run arms procurement agency, selected it as a preferred bidder for the project in September.

The defense contractor built a USV test facility with a 1,000-ton capacity water tank at its Gumi complex last year with an investment of 40 billion won ($28.6 million).

The company is testing the USV’s engine, communications equipment and sensors while verifying an algorithm that allows the unmanned vessel to adjust its center of gravity on its own. The technology is designed to prevent the hull from flipping over during evasive maneuvers.

LIG is upgrading the technology of ultrasonic radar, electro-optical sensors and image analysis devices to help the USV manage emergencies such as stormy seas.

The company is also developing communications technology involving satellites to seamlessly exchange the large amounts of data resulting from the simultaneous operation of 12 USV units.

LIG needs more time to develop the USV’s missile-launching technology. The boat can be equipped with a guided rocket produced by the company, but a crew is needed to control the weapons system.

The Korean Navy is considering introducing a corps to manage USV weapons.

Write to Hyeon-woo Oh at ohw@hankyung.com
 
Jongwoo Cheon edited this article.