MADEX 2023: HHI displays HCX-23 trimaran

HHI's HCX-23 trimaran incorporates low-observability features, including reduced radar cross-sections and a retractable radar. (Janes/Chinmay Kohad)

Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) displayed a concept model of its new HCX-23 trimaran ship at the MADEX 2023 exhibition in Busan, South Korea.

The HCX-23 has a length of 130 m, a beam of 36 m, and a displacement of 6,000 tonnes. The ship features a 48 cell vertical launching system (VLS) on its foredeck, which can be fitted with a mix of surface-to-air or anti-surface missiles. At the front there is provision for one laser-based main gun.

The vessel incorporates low-observability features, including reduced radar cross-sections and a retractable radar. HHI said launch space for quadcopter drones, which can be used in standalone or swarm mode, is present behind the deck.

At the stern, the ship has a helipad for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aircraft such as the Schiebel Camcopter S-100 or LIG Nex1's under-development Multi-Purpose Unmanned Helicopter (MPUH). The ship also has a stern door for launching unmanned underwater vehicles.

The HCX-23, which uses water-jet propulsion for high-speed operations, is expected to act as a manned mother ship for various unmanned systems. The ship is a follow-on design of the HCX-21 trimaran that was displayed by HHI at MADEX 2021.