The South Korean defense company LIG Nex1 has completed sea trials of the Sea Sword-II unmanned boat. According to the creators, the success was a big step forward in the development of unmanned offshore platforms.
Unmanned technologies are increasingly being used in shipbuilding. On December fifteenth, the Korean defense company LIG Nex1 announced the completion of sea trials of the unmanned surface ship of small displacement Sea Sword-II (in Korean — Haegum). Previously, Sea Sword-II proved its operability during operational tests conducted off the coast of the South Sea.
The unmanned boat project is jointly funded by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Administration of Defense Procurement Programs (DAPA). Sea Sword-II was developed by specialists of the Defense Development Agency (ADD) for military and commercial purposes.
Sea Sword-II is capable of conducting reconnaissance in a variety of conditions, including in coastal areas near military bases. The boat can be used for underwater research and rescue operations.
The creators tested, in particular, the integration of data from multiple sensors, mapping and motion control. The success was a significant step forward in the creation of unmanned offshore platforms. It will help to increase the competitiveness of LIG Nex1 in the market.
"We will do everything possible to gain unsurpassed leadership domestically as pioneers in the field of marine unmanned systems and enter foreign markets such as the Middle East and Southeast Asia," the company said in a statement.
LIG Nex1
Image source: navalnews
LIG Nex1 presented the USV Sea Sword-II for the first time at the MADEX-2019 exhibition in Busan. The boat is 12 meters long, 3.5 meters wide and weighs 11 tons when fully loaded. It was equipped with two diesel engines that provide a maximum speed of 35 knots (about 65 kilometers per hour).
Sea Sword II is positioned as a multi-purpose platform capable of carrying different modules. In the stern of the boat there is a 70-millimeter multiple launch rocket system. Additional armament includes a remote-controlled combat module with a 12.7 mm machine gun.
The United States is among the leaders in the development of unmanned ships and vessels. Last year, Leidos supplied the US Navy with an autonomous Seahawk ship — the "sister ship" of the famous Sea Hunter.
Russia is also working in this direction: in September, it became known about the launching of the unmanned vessel "Pioneer-M".
