HD Hyundai, Anduril demonstrate autonomous naval vessel in US

by Kim Hee-su Posted : October 19, 2026, 17:31Updated : October 19, 2026, 17:31
An unmanned surface vessel equipped with an autonomous navigation system jointly developed by HD Hyundai and Anduril Industries performs a demonstration off Long Beach California Courtesy of HD Hyundai
An unmanned surface vessel equipped with an autonomous navigation system jointly developed by HD Hyundai and Anduril Industries performs a demonstration off Long Beach, California. Courtesy of HD Hyundai
SEOUL, October 19 (AJP) - South Korea's HD Hyundai has demonstrated autonomous naval vessel technology in the United States with American defense firm Anduril Industries, marking its first such test in U.S. waters.

The company said Monday that the demonstration took place off Long Beach, California, using a modified 368-ton experimental vessel previously operated by the U.S. Navy.

The vessel was equipped with VAone, an autonomous naval system developed by HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, and Anduril's Lattice mission autonomy software.

During the three-and-a-half-hour demonstration, the vessel performed autonomous navigation, mission changes, formation sailing and emergency responses to engine malfunctions. The operations were monitored in real time from a shore-based control center.

VAone builds on HiNAS Prime, an autonomous navigation system developed by HD Hyundai subsidiary Avikus. It also includes systems that monitor machinery, automatically respond to malfunctions and detect and address damage to the vessel.

About 40 representatives from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, South Korean Navy, Defense Acquisition Program Administration and other organizations attended the demonstration.

"The demonstration confirmed the vessel's ability to carry out multiple missions and respond to a range of operational scenarios," said Jang Kwang-pil, vice president and head of HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering's Future Technology Research Institute.