The Sea Sword-X (Haegum-X) features a stealth-optimized design with a minimized radar cross-section and is equipped with a multi-function radar (MFR), providing powerful, multi-layered surveillance and detection capabilities. The company announced that on the 19th it signed a package-type development agreement with the Defense Agency for Technology and Quality to develop integrated control systems and autonomous mission technologies for combat USVs. The project was jointly planned with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration to secure critical technologies in advance of the Combat USV Batch-II system development phase, reducing technical risk and improving program stability.
Under the agreement, LIG Nex1—serving as the prime contractor—will invest approximately KRW 49 billion (about USD 36 million) in government funding over 60 months through December 2030 to develop three key capabilities: integrated control, weapon operation and launch control, and autonomous mission systems. These technologies are considered essential pillars of the Navy Sea Ghost concept, which aims to deploy combat-ready USVs as force multipliers alongside manned platforms.

Notably, the program includes the first-ever integration of a 20mm remote-controlled weapon system (RCWS) on a Korean USV, as well as launch and operational technologies for the “Biguung” (Guided Rocket) and loitering munition (suicide drone) systems. Once fielded, these capabilities are expected to significantly enhance long-range precision strike and multi-layered engagement options for unmanned naval platforms.


Combat USVs are envisioned as crewless surface combatants capable of conducting multiple missions simultaneously. LIG Nex1’s integrated control system will fuse sensors, weapons, and platform functions, enabling real-time command and decision-making and effectively serving as the USV’s “captain.” The weapon operation and launch control system will optimize the use of RCWS, guided rockets, and swarming loitering munitions to counter enemy surface threats and high-value targets.

The autonomous mission system will act as a digital “operations officer,” analyzing the maritime environment, detecting threats, and prioritizing responses. To advance AI-based autonomous combat capabilities, LIG Nex1 is cooperating with specialized partners to enhance situational awareness and mission completeness in complex sea conditions.

The company also plans to preemptively adopt a common maritime unmanned systems architecture being developed under the leadership of the Agency for Defense Development. By applying standardized interfaces, modular mission equipment, plug-and-play integration, and open software architecture, the project aims to ensure interoperability among multiple types of USVs and support the broader K-MOSA (Korean Modular Open Systems Approach) initiative.

To validate the technologies at scale, LIG Nex1 has formed a “one-team” consortium with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and HJ Shipbuilding & Construction, which will design and build a full-scale combat USV platform. LIG Nex1 will integrate the platform with its core systems to maximize combat performance and conduct comprehensive testing.

A LIG Nex1 official said the company has accumulated extensive experience since 2015 through the development of the Sea Sword USV series under civil–military projects, adding that the new program will be “a turning point for securing the ROK Navy’s future combat capabilities and strengthening the global competitiveness of Korean combat USVs.” The official also emphasized plans to develop export-oriented variants tailored to different operational environments, signaling a push toward the global unmanned naval systems market.

K-DEFENSE NEWS | Strategic Analysis Desk

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