[Military Story] We Also Develop Maritime Drones That Sunk the Russian Fleet [Yang Nakgyu's Defence Club]

LIG Nex1 Gumi House Tour
Opening of System Integration Test Building for Maritime Drone Development Facility

On February 24, 2022, two years ago, Russia invaded Ukraine. The world was concerned about Ukraine because it lacked proper weapons. However, things were different. The Ukrainian military even sank a large Russian warship. Major global media called it a 'modern-day David's sling.' On the 14th of last month, they also sank the large landing ship Caesar Kunikov, part of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. A decisive factor in this process was the maritime drone (USV). The power of maritime drones was shocking. Scenes of attacking the enemy carrying up to 850 kg of explosives directly demonstrated the strength of unmanned weapon systems in modern warfare. 'K-defense' is also awakening to maritime drones. We visited LIG Nex1's Gumi House, a site showcasing maritime drone technology.

The unmanned surface vessel system integration test building, the first maritime drone development facility in Korea, spans 1,097㎡ (332 pyeong) and is three stories high. It can simultaneously produce four unmanned surface vessels. (Photo by LIG Nex1)

The Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) System Integration Test Building spans 1,097㎡ (332 pyeong) and is three stories high. It is the first domestic maritime drone development facility. Inside the test building is a tank similar to an indoor swimming pool, measuring 23m wide, 11m long, and 5m deep. Three unmanned surface vehicles floated in it: Haegum-2, -3, and -5. The Haegum series can operate autonomously. Depending on the mission, their functions vary, including enhanced surveillance and reconnaissance, added armaments, and manned-unmanned hybrid operations. A test tank is essential for final assembly and function checks of the USVs. A company official said, "We can produce four unmanned surface vehicles simultaneously in the tank."

Autonomous Haegum Series... Functions Vary According to Mission

The largest surface and underwater reconnaissance USV, Haegum-2, stood out. Haegum-2 was equipped with a 1m-sized unmanned underwater vehicle (ROV) suspended beneath it, suggesting its use in detecting mines or submarines in strong current environments.

Haegum-5 is deployed on ships. It is a small dedicated USV. Since it must be mounted on a ship, it features an adjustable antenna height. Equipped with a Remote Controlled Weapon System (RCWS), it separates from the mothership upon detecting enemies nearby and conducts close-range firing. It can also operate near enemy territory under the mothership's command and control.

The Haegum-2 unmanned surface vessel for surface and underwater reconnaissance is a 1-meter-sized unmanned underwater vehicle (ROV). It can detect mines and submarines in strong current environments. (Photo by LIG Nex1)

LIG Nex1's Unmanned Surface Vehicle System Integration Test Building opened in October last year. At that time, remote control of Haegum-3 was demonstrated. It was possible to freely maneuver Haegum-3, docked in Goseong County, Gyeongnam Province, from the command and control room located in Gumi, Gyeongbuk Province. The land distance is approximately 170 km. Remote control is not limited by distance.

Haegum-3 is an unmanned patrol boat for coastal defense. It focuses on enhancing armed combat capabilities. It is equipped with a 12.7mm heavy machine gun at the front and a 2.75-inch guided rocket launcher at the rear. It can also carry a suicide drone. In June last year, the U.S. military showed interest by testing LIG Nex1's 2.75-inch guided rocket on their unmanned surface vehicle.

Maritime Drone Can Be Operated 170 km Away from Command and Control Room

Lee Won-hee, team leader of the Unmanned Systems Research Institute, said, "If Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX in the U.S., partners with domestic telecom companies to introduce low-earth orbit satellite communication services, the operational radius could expand further," adding, "Operations at the forefront of the Korean Peninsula would also be feasible."

On one side of the test building, the 'Haegum Kit No. 1' was also visible. It is a model converted from a high-speed boat currently used by the navy into an unmanned surface vehicle. The goal is to develop a suicide-type unmanned surface vehicle that led Ukraine to naval victories. It can carry a suicide bomb in the space excluding the cockpit. The exterior is fully bulletproof to withstand enemy fire.

We went up to the command and control room. The control system was equipped with three monitors. They displayed the USV's status such as speed and fuel, nautical charts, and surveillance reconnaissance screens. On the right side of the system was the RCWS switch. Only two people are needed to operate the unmanned surface vehicle.

Operations Performed Without Issue in 2.5m Wave Height Conditions

Bang Han-seong, head of the Unmanned Future Warfare Business Division, said, "The core of unmanned surface vehicles is the integration of various mission equipment, autonomous navigation, and data transmission, and current technology poses no problems for command and control," adding, "Multiple USVs can be operated simultaneously, reducing the burden of troop deployment."

The unmanned surface vehicles developed by LIG Nex1 have already reached the highest domestic technology level. Sea states, including wind, swell, and currents, are classified from levels 1 to 10, and LIG Nex1 is the only domestic company to have successfully passed level 4. Operations can be conducted even in 2.5m wave heights. Artificial intelligence (AI) will also be added to the USVs. Since unmanned surface vehicles must respond to various maritime environments and obstacles, optimized AI technology is essential. So far, AI-based technologies for detecting and avoiding maritime obstacles have been secured.

A company official said, "Aligned with the navy's manned-unmanned hybrid combat system, 'Navy Sea Ghost,' the day when unmanned surface vehicles operate on the Korean Peninsula is not far off."