Hanwha Defense USA has partnered with a local autonomous navigation company to develop unmanned surface vessels for the U.S. military.
Hanwha Defense USA said on the 20th that it signed a strategic partnership with Magnet Defense at the “Sea-Air-Space 2026” exhibition held in Maryland in the United States to jointly develop and produce a medium unmanned surface vessel (MUSV).
Through the collaboration, the two companies plan to jointly develop and manufacture a 38-meter-class MUSV for the U.S. Department of Defense, aiming to secure next-generation unmanned vessels that combine cost efficiency and operational capability.
Magnet Defense’s flagship model, the “M48,” is a MUSV with a range of 17,000 nautical miles and is known to have the longest range among vessels of its class currently in operation.
The vessel has demonstrated its performance by completing a total of 32,000 nautical miles of operation, including a round-trip voyage between Miami and American Samoa.
It also proved its stability and reliability by continuing operations while passing through the Panama Canal and operating in sea state level 9 conditions.
Under the agreement, the companies plan to cooperate across multiple areas, including the joint construction of 38-meter-class MUSVs, vessel performance configuration, development of AI-based robotic shipyards, and AI software for advanced autonomous navigation.
Hanwha Defense USA aims to combine its production capabilities and robotics technology with Magnet Defense’s autonomous navigation technology to contribute to securing unmanned maritime capabilities for the U.S. military and its allies.
Michael Coulter, CEO of Hanwha Defense USA, said, “Through cooperation with Magnet Defense, we are able to combine Hanwha’s manufacturing capabilities and advanced robotics with the partner’s proven autonomous navigation technology.”