Exclusive: South Korea's Hanwha Ocean reveals Ghost Commander II aircraft carrier for manned and unmanned operations.

During MADEX 2025, a naval defense exhibition that was held in Busan, South Korea, from 28 to 31 May 2025, the South Korean defense company Hanwha Ocean revealed the Ghost Commander II, a cutting-edge aircraft carrier concept tailored for both manned and unmanned air operations. Presented during the MADEX 2025 exhibition in Busan, the vessel represents a major leap in naval innovation, merging conventional carrier architecture with future-forward autonomous systems. With the Ghost Commander II, Hanwha Ocean signals a shift in maritime power projection, enabling a new operational paradigm built around the synergy of manned and unmanned teaming.
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Scale model of the Ghost Commander II aircraft carrier displayed at the Hanwha Ocean booth during MADEX 2025. (Picture source: Hanwha Ocean)

The Hanwha Ocean Ghost Commander II aircraft carrier is designed to operate as a next-generation command and control platform, deploying manned helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft with an expansive suite of unmanned systems. Measuring approximately 240 meters in length with an estimated displacement of 42,000 tons, the vessel features a flight deck equipped with an electromagnetic catapult for launching aircraft, along with three arresting wires and a secondary launch system. Six helicopter pads are arranged for vertical take-off and landing operations, supported by two aircraft elevators connecting the flight deck to a versatile internal hangar capable of accommodating both rotary-wing assets and UAVs.

Unlike traditional aircraft carriers, the Ghost Commander II integrates vertical launch systems for missile deployment, reflecting a shift toward more autonomous, combat-ready platforms that combine air, sea, and undersea capabilities. The hangar space is optimized not only for aircraft but also for unmanned surface and underwater vehicles, supporting a broad spectrum of mission profiles from intelligence gathering and surveillance to strike operations and electronic warfare. This multipurpose orientation enables the vessel to serve as a floating headquarters for distributed fleet operations, leveraging the full range of unmanned and manned assets in coordinated missions.

Hanwha Ocean's concept reflects close collaboration with emerging doctrines in the Republic of Korea Navy, especially as Seoul reconsiders its future force posture following delays to the CVX light aircraft carrier project. While the CVX was originally intended to host STOVL aircraft such as the F-35B, the Ghost Commander II offers a more adaptable alternative by focusing on modularity, unmanned systems, and advanced sensor integration. Although still in its design phase, the platform points toward a growing emphasis on interoperability, multi-domain awareness, and reduced risk to personnel through extended use of autonomous systems.

Among the unmanned assets envisioned for use aboard the Ghost Commander II is the MQ-1C Gray Eagle STOL, a short takeoff and landing variant that has already demonstrated operational feasibility from South Korean naval vessels. Hanwha Ocean continues to evaluate additional UAV options and is expected to refine the flight deck and hangar configuration based on those selections. This adaptability underscores the concept’s mission as a future-ready platform capable of evolving alongside fast-moving defense technologies.

In the evolving framework of modern naval warfare, the Ghost Commander II represents more than just a new ship concept—it is a strategic revolution. Future naval engagements are expected to be defined not by the number of platforms alone, but by the ability to coordinate real-time data, deploy autonomous systems at scale, and maintain persistent presence in contested zones without exposing crews to elevated risk. The integration of manned-unmanned teaming aboard a vessel of this scale allows for unmatched flexibility, resilience, and scalability in both peacetime operations and high-intensity conflict. Nations around the world are increasingly investing in similar multi-domain platforms, recognizing that the next generation of naval power will be shaped by autonomy, rapid-response capabilities, and the capacity to operate in saturated electronic warfare environments. The Ghost Commander II, with its blend of innovation, combat readiness, and future-proof design, positions South Korea at the leading edge of this global transformation in maritime defense.

In terms of self-protection and area defense, the Ghost Commander II is equipped with a comprehensive layer of advanced systems. The close-in weapon system, CIWS-2, developed by South Korean defense firm LIG Nex1, is deployed in three strategic locations on the vessel: on the upper starboard side, at the rear, and in the port-side central section. This configuration ensures 360-degree protection against incoming threats such as missiles, drones, and fast attack craft. Enhancing its long-range air defense capability, the ship also integrates two vertical launching systems (VLS), each capable of deploying 16 surface-to-air missiles, for a total of 32 interceptors designed to counter aerial threats and reinforce its airspace denial capability.

The operational heart of the Ghost Commander II lies in its hybrid air wing, composed of a sophisticated mix of manned and unmanned aircraft. Hanwha Ocean’s current model is configured to operate several types of advanced aerial platforms, including Korean Air’s stealthy LOWUS (Low-Observable Unmanned System) UAV, optimized for formation flight and low radar cross-section. Additionally, it can deploy the Gray Eagle-STOL unmanned aircraft, a joint development by Hanwha Aerospace and U.S.-based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems. This UAV is tailored for shipboard launch and recovery, expanding the vessel’s persistent ISR and strike capabilities. The carrier is also designed to accommodate a range of rotary-wing assets, including maritime operation helicopters and amphibious assault helicopters, making it a versatile force multiplier in both conventional and asymmetric scenarios.