South Korea’s LIG Nex1 is exhibiting a full-scale prototype of its Hae Gum II (Sea Sword II) unmanned surface vessel (USV) for the first time at the International Maritime Defense Industry Exhibition (MADEX 2019) in Busan from 22–25 October.
Development of the internally funded Sea Sword programme commenced in December 2015, with LIG Nex1 appointed as prime contractor and systems integrator under a civil-military technology research programme supported by the Defense Acquisition Procurement Agency (DAPA) and Civil Military Technology Co-operation Center. Leveraging on the development of Sea Sword, LIG NeX1 has incorporated additional capabilities, features, and firepower in the Sea Sword II design.
LIG NeX1’s Hae Gum II (Sea Sword II) USV on display at MADEX 2019 in Busan, South Korea. (IHS Markit/Manash Pratim Boruah)
Sea Sword II features several improvements over the original USV in terms of size and capabilities. The 11-tonne USV has an overall length of 12 m (compared to 8 m of the baseline version), a 3.5 m beam, and is based on a low RCS monohull made of fibre-reinforced plastic.
The USV is powered by two diesel engines driving two Kamewa waterjets to a speed of more than 35 kt, or a maximum range of 180 n miles at a cruising speed of 20 kt.
The platform can mount reconfigurable mission modules enabling it to conduct a range of mission types, including surveillance and reconnaissance missions in littoral areas and to check radar blind zones, such as coves or fjords.
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