AI Convergence Center

Jang Hwasup, Han Kimin

  1. Overview of Research

As the application of unmanned and autonomous navigation technologies in maritime defense systems continues to accelerate worldwide, the Republic of Korea Navy and Korean Register have collaborated to develop the world’s first military Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) design guidelines.

USVs are gaining attention as a key technology capable of conducting long-term maritime operations while minimizing human casualties and maximizing operational efficiency. This study aims to establish a systematic set of criteria for USV design to ensure practical operability and technical feasibility.

  2. Research Content

This study reviewed various technical elements necessary for establishing key design standards for USVs and developed comprehensive design guidelines based on these elements. The main contents of the USV design guidelines are as follows.

1) General Considerations
 - The guidelines apply to USVs with a light displacement of 500 tons or less and allow for tailoring of design criteria based on the operational concept and size of the USV.
 - The autonomy levels (AL1–AL4) of USVs are clearly defined, specifying the technical considerations required for different operational modes.

2) Risk Assessment
 - The study identifies and mitigates major risk factors in USV design, including collision, communication failures, cyberattacks, and flooding.
  - It presents a framework for ensuring reliability and survivability through risk assessment and response measures.

3) Basic Performance and Hull Structure
 - Establishing design criteria for seakeeping performance (wave height, wind speed, course stability), maneuverability (turning and stopping performance), and stability.
 - Implementing damage control and flooding prevention to enhance the survivability of USVs.

4) Propulsion and Electrical Systems
 - Designing an optimal propulsion system that considers speed, range, and fuel efficiency.
 - Ensuring a stable power supply through the design of primary power sources (generators) and emergency power sources (batteries).

5) Communication and Remote Operation Systems
 - Securing data transmission stability to support remote control and autonomous navigation.
 - Implementing redundant communication systems to ensure backup pathways in case of failures.

6) Auxiliary and Outfitting Systems
 - Establishing design standards for various fluid systems, including seawater, freshwater, fuel, and lubricants.
 - Incorporating remotely controlled firefighting and emergency response systems.

7) Mission Equipment and Weapon Systems
 - Developing installation criteria for detection equipment and weapon systems suited for different USV missions, such as reconnaissance, mine warfare, and combat.
 - Designing a remotely controlled and autonomous weapon and sensor integration system.

8) Unmanned Mission Control System
 - Developing an integrated system for controlling detection, navigation, maneuvering, and engagement functions of USVs.
 - Incorporating autonomous navigation, engine control, and communication control with real-time monitoring and control from a remote operations center.

9) Survivability and Cybersecurity
 - Establishing protection measures against EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse), hacking, and communication interference.
 - Implementing Anti-Tampering technology to prevent hostile forces from capturing and exploiting USVs.

10) Simulation-Based Performance Verification
 - Conducting performance verification by simulating various operational environments using Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulation.
 - Ensuring stability through comprehensive performance validation before operational deployment.

  3. Operation of the Industry-Academia-Research Expert Committee

To enhance the technical completeness and expertise of the USV design guidelines, an expert committee was formed, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach by incorporating experts from various technical fields.

1) Committee Meetings and Activities
  - The expert committee held a total of five meetings to conduct essential discussions for the development of the USV design guidelines.

  4. Public Hearing on USV Design Guidelines

1) Purpose of Public Hearing
The USV Design Guidelines Public Hearing was held to share the final draft of the guidelines with industry, academia, and military experts, gather diverse opinions, and validate the practical applicability of the guidelines. The hearing aimed to optimize the guidelines for real operational environments and align them with future technological advancements and policy directions.

2) Key Discussion Topics
The hearing focused on verifying the effectiveness of the design guidelines and incorporating diverse stakeholder perspectives to establish internationally competitive standards for USV design and operation.

- (Review of Practicality) Examined the practical applicability and technical validity of the design guidelines.
- (Incorporation of Diverse Opinions) Collected feedback from industry, academia, and military experts to enhance the guidelines and reflect the needs of the relevant sectors.
- (Strengthening Cooperation) Fostered collaboration between the military, industry, and academia to support USV technology development.
- (Establishing Future Development Directions) Set a framework for continuous revisions and updates to evolve the guidelines into a globally recognized standard.

  5. Conclusion and Future Research Directions

This study successfully developed the world’s first military USV design guidelines, establishing a standardized and systematic framework for USV design. By integrating autonomous navigation technology, remote operation systems, survivability measures, and cybersecurity, the guidelines ensure practical applicability and technical completeness.

Future research will focus on validating the effectiveness of the guidelines through real-world operational tests conducted by the Republic of Korea Navy. Additionally, the guidelines will be continuously refined to incorporate technological advancements and operational feedback.

Furthermore, to adapt to the evolving global maritime defense industry, efforts will be made to standardize the USV design guidelines internationally through cooperation with the IMO (International Maritime Organization) and major classification societies. This will solidify South Korea’s position as a global leader in USV technology development.

Since USV technology is rapidly evolving, the design guidelines will be periodically revised to reflect new technological advancements and operational requirements. This iterative process will ensure that the guidelines remain cutting-edge and highly effective in real-world applications.
The results of this research are expected to serve as a critical reference not only for the defense sector but also for the civilian maritime industry in applying unmanned vessel technologies.