Navy to Acquire 30,000-Ton Korean-Style Manned-Unmanned Teaming Carrier

National Assembly Defense Committee Audit of the Navy

The Navy is moving forward with plans to acquire a Korean-style Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MuM-T) Carrier in order to proactively respond to future security threats.

During a National Assembly Defense Committee audit held at Navy Headquarters in Gyeryong, South Chungcheong Province, on the afternoon of October 23, the Navy stated in its work report, "The Korean-style MuM-T Carrier will be equipped with combat unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), surveillance and reconnaissance UAVs, attack UAVs, and loitering munitions. Compared to manned aircraft, this will significantly improve surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike capabilities, thereby enhancing the survivability and offensive power of our forces. Resources and personnel are also expected to be managed more efficiently."

Yonhap News Agency

According to the Navy, the Korean-style MuM-T Carrier to be secured will be approximately 30,000 tons and, in addition to UAVs, will be able to carry amphibious maneuver helicopters and attack helicopters for projecting Marine Corps forces ashore. Furthermore, similar to the Dokdo-class large transport ships, it will be equipped with a well dock, enabling it to carry and launch unmanned surface vessels for reconnaissance and mine countermeasures, as well as high-speed landing craft.

Regarding this, the Navy explained, "By operating multiple and diverse manned and unmanned assets centered on the Korean-style MuM-T Carrier, we expect to expand battlespace awareness and operational range, as well as enhance the survivability and offensive power of our naval forces. In the future, the Navy plans to operate the Korean-style MuM-T Carrier alongside the large transport ships Dokdo and Marado as command ships for three mobile task groups."

The Navy added, "We are transitioning from a platform-centric approach to maritime combat to an artificial intelligence (AI) and network-based system-centric approach. The Korean-style MuM-T Carrier will serve as a core asset in the Korean-style maritime kill web, integrating and commanding dispersed manned and unmanned assets in littoral areas through a real-time network-based system."