Hanwha Systems is accelerating efforts to secure leadership in the global maritime unmanned systems market with the successful launch of a 30-ton-class unmanned surface vessel (USV) developed through its own investment and technology.
Hanwha Systems said it launched the 30-ton USV in early June near Gadeok Bridge in Busan and has begun maritime testing between Busan and Jangmok Port in Geoje. The vessel will serve as a key platform for verifying advanced autonomous navigation technologies and future unmanned combat capabilities.
The company is investing approximately KRW 70 billion in developing next-generation maritime unmanned systems, including both a 30-ton-class USV and a larger 140-ton-class vessel designed for combat missions. The project is aimed at supporting the future transition toward a naval manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) combat system.
The newly launched 30-ton USV will be used as a technology testbed through the end of 2027 to validate AI-based autonomous navigation capabilities and open architecture systems. These technologies are considered essential for future naval operations, enabling unmanned platforms to independently detect situations, make decisions, and conduct missions with minimal human intervention.
A key challenge for unmanned maritime systems is achieving interoperability with global defense standards. Hanwha Systems plans to verify compatibility with the U.S. Navy’s UMAA (Unmanned Maritime Autonomy Architecture), a software architecture standard designed to support autonomous operations and integration among various unmanned and manned platforms.
Building on autonomous navigation technologies developed for its reconnaissance USV “Haeryeong,” Hanwha Systems has completed domestic verification and is now moving toward global-standard validation. The company aims to incorporate AI capabilities for obstacle detection, target identification, friend-or-foe recognition, and autonomous tracking.
The company is also focusing on advanced operational tests under challenging maritime conditions, including autonomous navigation in narrow waterways, stable operation in high waves and strong winds, and long-range autonomous missions spanning hundreds of kilometers.
Beyond individual vessel development, Hanwha Systems is integrating combat management systems (CMS), engine control systems (ECS), and autonomous technologies to create a next-generation maritime combat platform. The future USV is designed to perform various missions, including surveillance, reconnaissance, and precision strikes, with the ability to operate advanced weapons systems and swarm drones.
The growing importance of maritime unmanned systems has been highlighted by recent conflicts, where cost-effective unmanned platforms have demonstrated the ability to challenge traditional naval assets. As a result, USVs are emerging as strategic assets capable of handling high-risk missions such as mine countermeasures and anti-submarine operations while reducing risks to human personnel.
Hanwha Systems plans to launch its 140-ton-class USV later this year, further strengthening its position in the global defense technology market. The company aims to establish a competitive edge by combining AI autonomy, command-and-control technologies, and advanced naval systems.
“Hanwha Systems is building differentiated capabilities in unmanned maritime systems through extensive verification processes and continuous technology development,” said Yoo Moon-ki, head of Hanwha Systems’ Naval Business Division. “We will expand Korea’s maritime defense technology presence globally by delivering USVs equipped with advanced AI autonomous navigation and command technologies.”
