AI-Based Automation and Unmanned
Personnel Reduction-Type Vessel Proposal
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has succeeded in developing a next-generation manpower-reducing Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) applying artificial intelligence (AI)-based automation and unmanned technology.
On the 7th, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries announced the results of the next-generation OPV research and development, completed over one year since July last year in collaboration with the Navy's Ship Design Technology Department and others, at the final concept design meeting for the OPV held at the Navy Headquarters under the supervision of the Navy Power Analysis Test and Evaluation Group's Ship Design Technology Director.
The next-generation coastal patrol ship, similar in design to the future coastal patrol ship (camouflage color) for which HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has completed the conceptual design [Photo by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries]
The next-generation OPV integrates AI-based advanced technology to realize a significant level of automation and unmanned operation. It is proposed as a manpower-reducing vessel with a futuristic hull form, enhanced armament and detection capabilities, and a drastically reduced crew size.
During this research process, the Navy and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries developed a platform that maximizes weight, stability, and expandable installation space to continuously apply the latest technologies even after the OPV is constructed.
The concept design results include multiple acquisition plans for new onboard systems, key technology requirements, operational performance (ROC), and ship design and construction requirements, which are expected to greatly contribute to concretizing the Navy's future OPV project direction.
The Navy's dedicated concept design team and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' technical support team held over 50 working meetings in a weekly intensive discussion (Sprint Meeting) format over 12 months. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries explained that close collaboration and rapid decision-making led to satisfactory results.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has carried out the most projects for the Republic of Korea Navy, including the next-generation Korean Destroyer (KDDX). They performed this concept design by adding advanced technological capabilities to the design know-how accumulated in the surface ship sector. Previously, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries developed two types of export-standard offshore patrol vessels of 1500t and 2200t classes and last year secured an order for six 2450t offshore patrol vessels from the Philippines.
Lee Sang-bong, Executive Director in charge of design at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' Special Ship Business Division, who led the OPV research and development, said, “Based on the know-how of developing export-standard offshore patrol vessels and R&D technological capabilities, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries was able to successfully complete the concept research of a new concept future-type vessel.”
Export-type offshore patrol vessel developed by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries [Photo by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries]
Ship concept design is a requirement planning design phase conducted by the Navy to derive the operational concept and operational performance (draft) of the vessel to be acquired. The current next-generation OPV research and development involved a research contract signed between the Navy and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in July last year to provide specialized technical support such as 3D modeling and detailed onboard equipment specification.
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