LIG D&A to Develop Unmanned Surface Vehicle for National Fire Agency Water Rescue Teams

Development of Reconnaissance Unmanned Surface Vehicle Systems by 2027

LIG Defense & Aerospace (LIG D&A) has been selected as the lead research and development institution for unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) dedicated to water rescue teams of the National Fire Agency.

According to LIG D&A on July 27, this project is being promoted as part of joint civil-military technology cooperation policies driven by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration and the National Fire Agency. Through this initiative, LIG D&A plans to apply military unmanned technologies to disaster response, aiming to protect not only the lives of the public but also ensure the safety of rescue personnel.

Water rescue sites are characterized by complex hazards such as fast currents and poor visibility, exposing not only endangered individuals but also rescue teams to significant risks. The unmanned surface vehicle for water rescue that LIG D&A will develop is designed to be deployed in high-risk areas even under severe weather conditions, allowing for real-time situation assessment and facilitating early response efforts. This will lay the foundation for shifting the paradigm from a human-centered to an unmanned-centered rescue system.

LIG D&A will draw upon its already proven technologies—such as autonomous navigation, obstacle avoidance, remote command and control, and sensor integration—developed through military USV projects, to

develop an unmanned surface vehicle optimized for water rescue missions. From the pre-design stage, LIG D&A will implement a 'field-oriented development process' by directly visiting water rescue teams under the National Fire Agency,

listening to operational challenges and actual rescue environments to reflect them in the development process.

Taking this contract for water rescue USVs as a stepping stone, LIG D&A also plans to expand its business area to the broader maritime unmanned systems sector. Since 2015, LIG D&A has accumulated relevant experience and technology by developing the 'Haegum' series of unmanned surface vehicles as part of civil-military projects. By 2027, it plans to supply the country's first combat-capable USVs certified for reconnaissance to the Republic of Korea Navy.

LIG D&A particularly notes the growing demand for unmanned surface vehicles in countries in Southeast Asia and the Middle East—regions with active marine industries but relatively lacking rescue infrastructure. Based on the operational references established domestically, the company actively plans to pursue overseas exports to these countries.

Shin Yonghwa, Head of Future Battlefield Programs at LIG D&A, stated, "This project is a significant starting point, not only for ensuring safety at highly dangerous rescue sites but also for expanding USVs into the civilian sector," adding, "Going forward, we will continue to broaden our business scope beyond Korea into the global market by leveraging our accumulated advanced technologies."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.