[2025 MADEX] Hanwha Systems Leads Market with the Brain of Maritime Operations

Showcasing the Future-Ready Combat Management System (CMS) for Naval Operations
Detecting and Analyzing Multiple Threats with Advanced Sensors to Deliver Commands

Hanwha Systems is making its first foray into the maritime unmanned combat power market. The company aims to expand the application of its unrivaled ship-related technologies to lead the future of advanced naval warfare.

The "Brain of the Ship," the Combat Management System (CMS). Hanwha Systems

At the International Maritime Defense Industry Exhibition (MADEX), Hanwha Systems announced plans to actively pursue the development of a "combat unmanned surface vessel," which represents the intersection of its capabilities in combat management systems and maritime unmanned systems technologies.

The main focus for Hanwha Systems is the Combat Management System (CMS), known as the "Brain of the Ship." The CMS detects and analyzes various incoming threats using sensors mounted on the vessel, and then relays and commands this information to weapons systems such as naval guns to neutralize the threats. For a combat unmanned surface vessel to perform missions at the same level as a manned combat ship, it must have combat management capabilities, specialized ship performance, and weapon control and stabilization technologies. Hanwha Systems is the only company in Korea to possess the technology for developing a fire control solution calculation device featuring world-class automated impact correction. Hanwha Systems is also the only defense company that has supplied a domestically developed CMS to the Korean Navy. Over the past 40 years, it has provided its independently developed CMS to nearly every vessel in use by the Korean Navy, earning recognition for its technological prowess.

In addition, Hanwha Systems has completed the development of the "Integrated Mission Management System," a core component for combat unmanned surface vessels, by applying its "Integrated Machinery Control System (ECS)," "Condition-Based Monitoring System (CBMS)," and Korea's first "unmanned surface vessel swarm autonomous navigation" technology. ECS technology is essential for realizing autonomous navigation of vessels, similar to autonomous driving in vehicles. It integrates propulsion, power, auxiliary equipment, and damage control systems required for ship operation into a single network-based system. CBMS monitors and diagnoses the operational status of the ship's propulsion system, which consists of more than 50 devices, in real time. It notifies crew members in advance when maintenance is required. This system is considered a core component for future unmanned vessels.

Hanwha Systems has participated in development projects related to unmanned surface vessels for several years, building a product lineup of maritime unmanned systems ranging from small to large classes. The company has developed various maritime unmanned systems, including Haeryeong, a 12-meter class unmanned surface vessel for search and reconnaissance missions in coastal areas; a docking autonomous unmanned underwater vehicle capable of underwater docking; and a large anti-submarine reconnaissance unmanned underwater vehicle capable of submerging for up to 30 days. Haeryeong is expected to be deployed for coastal search and surveillance missions for the first time in Korea. In December 2024, Hanwha Systems successfully completed the development of a swarm unmanned surface vessel that can be operated in groups, as well as a swarm communication network that can be mounted on various unmanned surface vessels, both for the first time in Korea.

Meanwhile, MADEX is the largest maritime defense industry exhibition in Korea, hosted by the Korean Navy and held biennially since 1999. This year, more than 150 companies from 12 countries, including HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and LIG Nex1, are participating. Over 30 naval delegations and more than 15,000 professional buyers from around the world are expected to attend.