LIG Nex1 unveils multi-mission USV

South Korean defence company LIG Nex1 recently unveiled a prototype of its newest series of unmanned surface vessel (USV).

Named Hae Gum (“Sea Sword”), the eight-metre-long monohull USV will be capable of speeds of up to 40 knots and an endurance of eight hours at 15 knots.

Onboard equipment will include a radar, electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) cameras, a communications suite, and a cargo module that could carry various mission-specific payloads.

The Hae Gum will be used primarily for surveillance and reconnaissance missions in high-risk waters and monitoring of vessels engaged in illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing. The USV may also be armed with a 12.7-millimetre machine gun and Hyeongung anti-tank missiles mounted on a remote-controlled weapon station.