Busan: Hanwha Systems Co., the defense arm of Hanwha Group, announced the launch of a 30-ton-class unmanned surface vessel (USV) in the southeastern port city of Busan. This initiative is part of sea trials aimed at assessing the vessel's operational capabilities.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the USV was introduced near Gadeok Bridge in early June and has since been navigating the waters between Busan and Jangmok Port on Geoje Island. The trials are designed to evaluate the vessel's performance, focusing on autonomous navigation through narrow waterways, safe operations in challenging sea conditions, and its ability to conduct long-range autonomous journeys spanning several hundred kilometers.
The 30-ton vessel is intended to serve as a testbed until the end of 2027. It will be used to validate artificial intelligence-based autonomous navigation technologies and open software architecture that aligns with the U.S. Navy's Unmanned Maritime Autonomy Architecture (UMAA) standards.
In addition, Hanwha Systems has plans to launch a 140-ton-class USV by the end of this year. This move is part of the company's strategy to bolster its presence in the global market for unmanned maritime systems.
The development of both the 30-ton-class and the 140-ton-class combat-capable USVs represents a significant investment by Hanwha Systems, totaling 70 billion won (approximately US$46.64 million).