LIG Nex1 has developed core technologies for a combat unmanned surface vessel to fully implement the Navy's manned-unmanned teaming combat system.
LIG Nex1 said on the 23rd that on the 19th it signed an agreement with the Korea Research Institute for defense Technology planning and advancement (KRIT) for a weapons systems package-type project to develop integrated control and autonomous mission systems for a combat unmanned surface vessel. About 49 billion won in government funds will be invested.
The project is aimed at securing in advance the core technologies needed to enter the combat unmanned surface vessel Batch-II system development phase. A combat unmanned surface vessel is a future weapons system that performs multiple missions simultaneously without crew on board, and is a key pillar of the maritime manned-unmanned teaming combat system. LIG Nex1, as the lead research and development institution, will oversee the overall development.
Under the agreement, LIG Nex1 and KRIT will, over 60 months through Dec. 2030, develop an integrated control system that serves as the "captain" of the combat unmanned surface vessel; a weapons operation and launch control system that replaces the "combat systems officer"; and an autonomous mission system akin to an "operations officer."
Notably, the development scope includes a 20 mm-class remote-controlled weapon station (RCWS) to be mounted on Korea's first unmanned surface vessel, as well as launch and operation technologies for the guided rocket "Bigung" and a "loitering munition." Once implemented, these technologies are expected to significantly enhance long-range precision strike capabilities for maritime unmanned systems.
A LIG Nex1 official said, "Since 2015, we have independently developed the 'Haegom' series of unmanned surface vessels as a civil-military project, accumulating relevant experience and technology," and added, "Together with the Navy, we plan to maintain leading technologies and key talent in the unmanned surface vessel field by developing a reconnaissance unmanned surface vessel system through 2027."