[Asia Economy Reporter Suyeon Woo] Hyundai Rotem is supplying unmanned vehicles being introduced to the military for the first time in Korea. On the 7th, Hyundai Rotem announced that it had delivered two multipurpose unmanned vehicles to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
A multipurpose unmanned vehicle is a remote-controlled and unmanned vehicle weighing less than 2 tons that can be equipped and operated with various equipment depending on missions such as reconnaissance, close combat, transport, and surveillance.
The two delivered vehicles were secured when Hyundai Rotem won the multipurpose unmanned vehicle rapid demonstration acquisition project last November and are the first unmanned vehicles introduced and operated by our military. Over the next six months, the military plans to conduct pilot operations to identify areas for improvement, and Hyundai Rotem will provide support for training, technology, and maintenance necessary for operation.
Prior to this delivery, Hyundai Rotem underwent delivery inspections of the vehicles attended by officials from the military, DAPA, the Defense Technology Quality Institute, and the Test and Evaluation Group. As a result, the vehicles met all 25 required performance evaluation items, including maximum speed, climbing performance, and cruising range, confirming the quality of the vehicles.
The vehicles delivered by Hyundai Rotem this time are enhanced models based on the previously self-developed multipurpose unmanned vehicle 'HR-Sherpa.' They are equipped with monitoring devices such as day and night cameras, allowing real-time confirmation of driving and surveillance footage from a separate monitor even at long distances.
The core unmanned driving capabilities of the multipurpose unmanned vehicles support various modes, including remote driving, autonomous navigation along designated routes, and follower driving that automatically follows personnel in front of the vehicle. Additionally, an enhanced autonomous driving sensor system compared to the HR-Sherpa has been applied to perfectly meet the performance requirements of the military.
Furthermore, a Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS) is mounted on the upper front of the vehicle, enabling remote attack and self-defense missions. The rear of the vehicle is equipped with a cargo bed capable of carrying more than 200 kg, allowing transportation of various supplies and emergency evacuation of patients.
The multipurpose unmanned vehicle is a 6x6 electric drive vehicle with six wheels, each independently equipped with an in-wheel motor developed by Hyundai Mobis. Because each wheel delivers independent driving force, the vehicle can continue to operate even if one or two wheels are damaged. All wheels use airless tires, maintaining mobility without punctures even when traversing rough terrain or under attack.
In addition to multipurpose unmanned vehicles, Hyundai Rotem has been recognized for its competitiveness in unmanned systems, having secured a project in December last year to develop remote unmanned technology for mobile combat systems. Through this project, Hyundai Rotem plans to develop technology to remotely and unmannedly operate existing mobile combat systems such as K-series tanks, armored vehicles, and self-propelled artillery, and demonstrate it on the K1 tank.
A Hyundai Rotem official said, "As a result of our dedicated research and development of future advanced technologies such as unmanned systems to secure competitiveness in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, we were able to develop and deliver the multipurpose unmanned vehicle on schedule. We feel a strong sense of responsibility for supplying the first unmanned vehicle operated by our military and will do our best to support pilot operations."
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