LIG Nex1 announced on the 19th that it has signed a contract with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration for the development project of reconnaissance unmanned surface vessel systems.

This project aims to develop two unmanned surface vessels of 12 meters in length by 2027 to enhance surveillance reconnaissance of naval forward bases and major ports, as well as rapid field response capabilities. The project scale is 39.865 billion won.

LIG Nex1's unmanned surface vessel, Haeggum-3. /Courtesy of LIG Nex1

LIG Nex1 noted, "This represents significant progress towards the research and development of unmanned surface vessels, which are key to future maritime unmanned systems, and the completion of the Navy Sea GHOST integrated combat system."

Since 2015, LIG Nex1 has been accumulating technology by independently developing the Sea Sword series of unmanned surface vessels as a civil-military project. The company stated that it plans to continue development to enable integration with low-orbit commercial satellites for expanded operational range.

LIG Nex1 announced that the development of the unmanned surface vessel is expected to be the first to be deployed in the country upon completion. LIG Nex1 stated, "We will modularize the armament and detection systems of the unmanned surface vessel so that it can carry various mission equipment and diversify the items."