MADEX 2023: LIG Nex1 displays AUV and XLUUV

LIG Nex1's new AUV and XLUUV are being developed to meet South Korea's mine-countermeasures requirements. (Janes/Chinmay Kohad)

LIG Nex1 displayed models of a new autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) and an extra-large unmanned underwater vehicle (XLUUV) at the MADEX 2023 exhibition in Busan, South Korea.

The company told Janes that the AUV, which is under development, has a length of 2 m and a diameter of 20 cm. It has an operational depth of 200 m and weighs 60 kg.

The AUV is being developed under a KRW12 billion (USD9.1 million) contract awarded to LIG Nex1 by South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) in December 2020.

LIG Nex1 said the AUV can traverse underwater at a cruise speed of around 3 kt and a maximum speed of 7 kt. The AUV can be fitted with a side-scan sonar. Other installed systems include an ultrasonic camera and an optical camera for imaging purposes and underwater communication systems.

The AUV has an endurance of about 20 hours, and can be employed for various mine detection, underwater mapping, and border and harbour surveillance missions, the company said.

LIG Nex1's new XLUUV, which the company said is in the concept stage, has a length of about 16 m. The XLUUV is able to achieve a maximum speed of 16 kt and will have a maximum endurance of 30 days, with a cruise speed of 7 kt, according to the company. Its estimated weight is 30 tonnes.