Building Multi-purpose Training Boats and Supporting Localization of Unmanned Target Drone Parts
The Only Domestic Defense Company to Construct All Four Navy MTB Vessels, Showcasing Unmatched Competitiveness
'K-Defense Powerhouse' HJ Shipbuilding & Construction (CEO Yoo Sangcheol) is partnering with Korean Air, the country's leading airline, to localize parts for unmanned target drones used on Multi-purpose Training Boats (MTB).
On the 8th, HJ Shipbuilding & Construction announced that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Korean Air on the 7th for technological cooperation on maritime unmanned aerial vehicles and vessels for Multi-purpose Training Boats (MTB).
At the signing, both companies agreed to combine their respective technologies and strengths to jointly promote the localization of unmanned target drone parts, thereby contributing to the national interest.
Executive Director Kwangjae Ko of HJ Heavy Industries (left) and Director Kyungnam Kim of Korean Air Aircraft Technology Research Institute are signing a business agreement.
The Multi-purpose Training Boat is a naval training support vessel equipped with systems for anti-ship and anti-air missile firing, anti-submarine torpedo launching, and electronic warfare training. As a dedicated training vessel, it not only alleviates the burden on operational ships but also enables specialized training tailored to complex modern warfare scenarios.
It is a 230-ton class catamaran with a length of 45 meters and a width of 15 meters, capable of high-speed maneuvering at up to 25 knots (46.3 km/h). It can also be equipped with unmanned target boats and drones, underwater communication devices, torpedo recovery boats, and an Electronic Warfare Trainer (EWT) system.
HJ Shipbuilding & Construction demonstrated its unrivaled technological capabilities by conducting the exploratory development project for the Multi-purpose Training Boat for the Defense Acquisition Program Administration in 2013, designing and building the lead ship, and subsequently delivering all four Multi-purpose Training Boats ordered to date, including three additional ships.
The goal of this agreement is to develop and validate domestic parts with superior performance and the latest technology to replace imported components in the unmanned target drones installed on the Multi-purpose Training Boat. The two companies plan to expand their cooperation across the entire shipbuilding business, including identifying localization projects, preparing for business, conducting marketing activities together, and reviewing joint development collaboration strategies.
HJ Shipbuilding & Construction CEO Yoo Sangcheol emphasized, "As the builder of the Navy's first dedicated training support vessel, we are also committed to providing technical support for parts localization," adding, "As a leading national maritime defense company, we will actively participate in parts localization, equipment performance enhancement, and combat system modernization projects to contribute to strengthening maritime power."
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