LIG Nex1 Receives Ministerial Award for 'Haegum 3 Practical Application Project'

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] LIG Nex1 received the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Award for the development of the unmanned patrol boat ‘Haegum-3’.

According to LIG Nex1 on the 8th, through the civil-military technology application research project led by the Defense Science Research Institute's Civil-Military Cooperation Promotion Agency, LIG Nex1 successfully carried out the development and pilot operation project of the surveillance reconnaissance unmanned surface vessel (Haegum-1) in 2017. That year, it was recognized for its development achievements and received a commendation from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration chief.

LIG Nex1 developed Haegum-2, which enhanced underwater and surface surveillance reconnaissance capabilities, based on Haegum-1. Subsequently, through the civil-military technology commercialization linkage project, the development and demonstration project of Haegum-3, with greatly improved seaworthiness and combat capabilities, was also successfully completed. Once Haegum-3 is militarized, it is expected to perform 24-hour surveillance missions even in severe weather conditions where direct human operation is impossible.

In particular, Haegum-3, equipped with state-of-the-art surveillance reconnaissance equipment, remote firing control systems, and guided rocket launchers, applies high seaworthiness design technology and AI-based autonomous navigation technology. In May, it completed the domestic first seaworthiness performance test in sea state 4 (maximum wave height 2.5m) as an unmanned surface vessel. This verified the hull stability capable of performing missions without manned forces in harsh maritime environments.

It also proved its effectiveness through pilot operation in actual operational environments of the Army coastal defense units and joint training with currently operated Army patrol boats. Once Haegum-3 is militarized, it will enable 24-hour surveillance missions even in severe weather conditions where manned operation is impossible. It is expected to contribute not only to the protection of soldiers' lives but also to the establishment of a perfect military surveillance operational posture.

Kim Ji-chan, CEO of LIG Nex1, said, "We will seek to create public demand in civilian sectors and diversify our business while accelerating expansion. We will also continue to pay attention to pioneering overseas markets through strengthened cooperation with global companies."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.