'Navy Sea Ghost' Core Power Concept Design
In the Korean Navy Procurement Bid Evaluation,
All Competitors Overwhelmed Amid 'Security Deduction Application Controversy'
Hanwha Ocean won the concept design project for the Navy's unmanned submarine and unmanned surface vessel with evaluation scores that overwhelmingly surpassed competitors.
On the 21st, Hanwha Ocean announced, "We have been selected as the preferred negotiator for the 'Reconnaissance Unmanned Submarine and Mine Warfare Unmanned Surface Vessel Concept Design Project' commissioned by the Republic of Korea Navy." Hanwha Ocean emphasized, "Although the competition with rivals involved controversy over the application of security penalty points, this result was achieved regardless of the security deductions, once again proving Hanwha Ocean's outstanding technological capabilities."
This project is the first phase of the 'Navy Sea GHOST,' a manned-unmanned combined combat system promoted by the Republic of Korea Navy as a future core force. Hanwha Ocean will be responsible for the concept design of the 'Reconnaissance Unmanned Submarine,' a key asset in this system.
Navy Sea GHOST refers to a system that integrates manned and unmanned forces across all domains?surface, underwater, and air?based on hyper-connectivity and hyper-intelligence to maximize operational and mission performance. The Navy is currently advancing the construction of a maritime manned-unmanned combined system to secure maritime combat superiority in connection with 'Defense Innovation 4.0.'
Hanwha Ocean participated in this project as a consortium with Hanwha Systems. The company stated that synergy among affiliates will enhance competitiveness in the future unmanned vessel export market as well.
One of Hanwha Ocean's unmanned submarines, part of the 'Marine Manned-Unmanned Complex Combat System' first unveiled at the 'MADEX 2023' exhibition at BEXCO, Busan, in June last year. [Photo by Hanwha Ocean]
The 'Reconnaissance Unmanned Submarine' covertly approaches operational areas to conduct continuous surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Once operational, it will contribute to expanding the maritime reconnaissance scope of the mothership operating alongside it.
The 'Mine Warfare Unmanned Surface Vessel' is also an unmanned vessel performing various missions. During peacetime, it conducts information collection and analysis tasks, while in wartime, it undertakes mine detection and disposal (mine clearance) missions, playing a vanguard role in securing safe navigation routes for our vessels. Mines refer to bombs placed on or under the water to destroy enemy ships.
Hanwha Ocean began the shape design of the country's first large unmanned surface vessel this year. Since 2022, it has been enhancing its competitiveness by carrying out various projects for future vessel development, including concept design of combat unmanned submarines, energy source systems for unmanned submarines, and prototype projects for system technology verification of ultra-large unmanned submarines. Hanwha Ocean explained that its proven top domestic ship design and construction technology, along with unmanned system technology, were additional driving forces behind this contract win.
A Hanwha Ocean official said, "The population decline issue is expected to eventually affect the maintenance of military personnel," adding, "Hanwha Ocean will contribute to maintaining unwavering defense capabilities through unmanned weapon system technology."
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