[2025 MADEX] LIG Nex1 Showcases Cutting-Edge Unmanned Surface Vehicles

First Public Unveiling of "Haegum-X" Featuring the Navy Sea GHOST Concept
Full Operation of System Integration Test Facility for the Haegum Series

LIG Nex1 has set its sights on the International Maritime Defense Industry Exhibition (MADEX) with its manned-unmanned integrated combat system, the "Navy Sea GHOST." The company is highlighting its advanced future maritime unmanned solutions, which are expected to contribute to the modernization and technological advancement of the military. Unmanned systems are considered a core element of future warfare. This is because they can maximize combat effectiveness, minimize casualties, and address future personnel shortages caused by population decline. In addition to its established strengths in air defense systems, LIG Nex1 plans to focus on enhancing its unmanned system capabilities across both maritime and ground domains to target the global defense market.

At MADEX, LIG Nex1 is showcasing future advanced maritime unmanned solutions that will contribute to the modernization and technological advancement of the military. The company is introducing the "Future Unmanned Surface Vehicle Platform," which applies the modular open systems approach (MOSA) for defense unmanned systems, as well as the following: △ the ship-to-air guided missile "Ship-to-Air Missile-II," △ the ship-to-air guided weapon "Haegung," △ the close-in weapon system for ship deployment "CIWS-II," and △ the integrated anti-drone jammer.

The unmanned surface vehicle developed by LIG Nex1 has already reached the highest level of domestic technology. Sea state conditions, such as wind, swells, and currents, are classified into ten levels, and LIG Nex1's vehicle is the only one in Korea to have successfully passed level 4. It can operate in wave heights up to 2.5 meters. Artificial intelligence (AI) will also be added to the unmanned surface vehicle. Since unmanned surface vehicles must respond to various maritime environments and obstacles, optimized AI technology is essential. So far, the company has secured AI-based technologies for detecting and avoiding maritime obstacles.

At this exhibition, the company is putting the "Haegum-X" at the forefront. Haegum-X features a stealth design that minimizes detection range and is equipped with a multifunction radar (MFR), providing powerful and multi-dimensional search capabilities. In particular, it is armed with a 20mm remote-controlled weapon system (RCWS), a 2.75-inch guided rocket "Bigung," a lightweight torpedo "Cheongsangeo," and attack drones. Alongside Haegum-X, the exhibition will also feature the navy's first operational reconnaissance unmanned surface vehicle and a suicide unmanned surface vehicle manufactured using 3D printing.

LIG Nex1 has spared no investment in the development of unmanned surface vehicles. At its Gumi plant, the company built Korea's first unmanned surface vehicle system integration test facility for maritime drones. The facility spans 1,097 square meters (332 pyeong) and is three stories high. Inside, there is a pool the size of an indoor swimming pool, measuring 23 meters in length, 11 meters in width, and 5 meters in depth.

Since 2015, the system integration test facility has been used to test the "Haegum Series" of unmanned surface vehicles developed by LIG Nex1, including Haegum-II, Haegum-III, Haegum-V, and M-Hunter.

The largest unmanned surface vehicle for surface and underwater reconnaissance, Haegum-II, is equipped with an underwater platform (ROV) module that enables automatic launch and recovery (LARS) underwater, enhancing its underwater surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. It can detect mines and submarines even in environments with strong currents.

Haegum-III is an unmanned patrol boat for coastal surveillance, with a focus on strengthening 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. Additionally, it can carry suicide drones. In June 2023, the US military showed interest by testing LIG Nex1's 2.75-inch guided rocket on its unmanned surface vehicles. For the first time in Korea, Haegum-III successfully completed a real-sea navigation performance test under sea state 4 conditions (maximum wave height of 2.5 meters), proving it can operate for 24 hours in harsh maritime environments without crewed support.

Haegum-V is designed for shipboard deployment. It is a small, dedicated unmanned surface vehicle. When a suspicious target appears, it can detach from the mothership, identify the target, and respond immediately. Since it is deployed from a ship, it features an adjustable antenna height. Equipped with a remote-controlled weapon system (RCWS), it can separate from the mothership and engage in close-range firing upon detecting enemies nearby. Under the command and control of the mothership, it can also conduct operations near enemy territory.

Going forward, LIG Nex1 plans to apply the "K-MOSA" (Korean Modular Open Systems Approach) concept to its unmanned surface vehicles. In K-MOSA, "series" refers to designating representative platforms?large, medium, or small?according to mission objectives and developing various weapon systems based on these platforms. "Modularization" means selecting and mounting mission equipment such as surveillance and reconnaissance or strike systems on these platforms according to the mission. Modular equipment enables easy replacement of parts, reducing development time, costs, and maintenance expenses.

Based on this approach, LIG Nex1 aims to develop unmanned surface vehicles for different mission objectives, such as combat, shipboard deployment, and mine removal, to contribute to the navy's manned-unmanned integrated combat system, "Navy Sea GHOST."