UMEX 2020: LIG Nex1 from South Korea unveils its Sea Sword USV Unmanned Surface Vessel.

At UMEX 2020, International Unmanned Defense Systems Exhibition in Abu Dhabi, UAE, the South Korean Company LIG Nex1 unveils its latest generation of SUV (Surface Unmanned Vessel) called "Haegeom" or "Sea Sword" in English.

Scale model of Sea Sword at UMEX 2020, International Unmanned Defense Systems Exhibition in Abu Dhabi, UAE. (Picture source Army Recognition)

The Sea Sword USV (Unmanned Surface Vessel) was developed and designed for coastal defense. It can be remotely operated or perform an autonomous operation. It is also equipped with state-of-the-art detection equipment and can perform coastal surveillance, marine disaster response, and surveillance missions in a dangerous coastal environment.

The Sea Sword Multi-purpose USVs can be deployed to near-enemy sea areas for surveillance, reconnaissance and underwater search to contribute and conduct sea search operation. It can be also used to survey illegal fishing, life-saving operations, oceanographic investigation, and other maritime operations.

For combat operations, the Sea Sword USV can be fitted with a remotely operated weapon station that can be armed with a 12.7mm heavy machine gun. The rear deck can be also fitted with a two-axis eight-cell guided-rocket launcher for 70 mm Poniard rockets.

The Sea Sword USV has a weight of 11 tones and an overall length of 12 m, a 3.5 m beam, and is based on a low RCS (radar cross-section) monohull made of fiber-reinforced plastic. It is powered by two diesel engines driving two Kamewa waterjets to a speed of more than 35 knots, or a maximum range of 180 n miles at a cruising speed of 20 knots.