'Warships Carry Out Missions on Their Own'... HD Hyundai Gives First U.S. Demonstration of Unmanned Surface Vessel Technology

[Financial News] HD Hyundai has successfully demonstrated autonomous navigation technology for unmanned surface vessels in the United States, becoming the first South Korean company to do so there. The company plans to accelerate its push into the global maritime defense market, including the United States, leveraging unmanned surface vessel technology it developed jointly with U.S. AI defense company Anduril Industries.
HD Hyundai said on the 19th that it had recently held a successful joint demonstration of unmanned surface vessel autonomous navigation with Anduril Industries off the coast of Long Beach, California. About 40 officials from the two countries attended, including Jang Gwang-pil, head of the Future Technology Research Institute at HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering and a vice president, as well as representatives of Anduril Industries, the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), the Republic of Korea Navy and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration.
During the demonstration, which lasted about 3 hours and 30 minutes, the two companies simulated a range of maritime scenarios, including autonomous navigation, mission changes, formation sailing and emergency responses to engine failures. The entire demonstration was livestreamed in real time through a shore-based control center, allowing attendees to follow the unmanned surface vessel as it carried out its missions.
A vessel converted from a large 368-ton-class unmanned surface vessel test ship previously operated by the U.S. Navy was used in the demonstration. It was equipped with VAone, an integrated vessel autonomy solution developed in-house by HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, and Lattice, Anduril Industries' mission autonomy solution.
VAone is an unmanned vessel-operation solution based on HiNAS Prime, developed by Avikus, HD Hyundai's subsidiary specializing in autonomous navigation. In addition to autonomous navigation, it integrates an autonomous machinery system that monitors a vessel's machinery in real time and responds automatically to anomalies, as well as an autonomous damage-control solution that detects damage to a vessel and takes action. Combined with Anduril Industries' Lattice, it provides autonomous capabilities spanning navigation, machinery, damage response and weapons operation.
HD Hyundai says the demonstration is particularly significant because it verified the unmanned surface vessel's ability to carry out complex missions by continuously assessing and responding to a range of situations that could arise at sea.
Building on the results of the demonstration, HD Hyundai and Anduril Industries plan to pursue participation in U.S. unmanned surface vessel programs while expanding their business into the global unmanned surface vessel market. The two companies intend to further strengthen the vessels' mission capabilities through continued technological advancement.
Vice President Jang said, "The demonstration was significant in that it confirmed the unmanned surface vessel's ability to carry out complex missions and respond to various real-world situations that may arise after setting sail." He added, "We will work even harder on technology development and advancement to take the lead in the unmanned surface vessel market going forward."
[email protected] Jeong Won-il Reporter