MADEX 2023: Hanwha Systems displays naval MUM-T concept

The Sea Ghost (above) can control up to four M-Searcher USVs operating in swarm. (Janes/Chinmay Kohad)

Hanwha Systems displayed its manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) solution for the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) at the MADEX 2023 exhibition in Busan, which concluded on 9 June. The concept features two types of unmanned surface vessel (USV) platforms – the Sea Ghost and the M-Searcher.

The Sea Ghost USV has a length of 12 m and a width of 3.5 m. This vessel is powered by two engines using hybrid propulsion, with two water-jets enabling a cruise speed of 20 kt and a maximum speed of 40 kt.

The Sea Ghost has been fitted with a navigation radar, a wave radar, and an electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor. For communications, it uses an electronically steerable satellite communications (satcom) antenna fixed on a mast and linked to a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite and an underwater acoustic system in the stern.

The USV, which can be operated in manned or unmanned mode, is fitted with one 12.7 mm K9 machine gun at the front and carries a synthetic aperture sonar autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) and a multibeam echosounder at the back for search-and-rescue (SAR) operations. It has an endurance of 12 hours at 20 kt and a range of 240 nm.

The M-Searcher USV is an unmanned platform, with a length of 8 m and a width of 2.7 m. The USV is powered by one diesel engine with water-jet propulsion, providing a maximum speed of 35 kt and an endurance of 12 hours.