South Korea has demonstrated a 30‑ton combat unmanned surface vessel developed by Hanwha Systems, which uses artificial intelligence to interpret human commands, plan its own route and carry out missions without a crew. The project underscores the fast‑moving shift toward automation and digitalization in naval and potentially civilian maritime domains, as the global market for unmanned surface vessels expands.
In a report from September 1, 2026, Korean national media described a demonstration at Jangmok Port in Geoje, where journalists boarded a 30‑ton combat unmanned surface vessel (USV) developed by Hanwha Systems. The vessel relies on artificial intelligence to process operator commands, autonomously plan its route and execute missions without onboard crew. An operator issues a mission from a shore-based control station, and the crewless craft then moves toward its target on its own, handling navigation and obstacle avoidance through its onboard systems, showcasing a high degree of maritime automation.
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