368-ton ex-US Navy vessel shows off advanced autonomy in high-stakes sea trials

HD Hyundai and Anduril have demonstrated an unmanned surface vessel operating autonomously off California, showcasing technology that could support future US Navy missions. The October 19 exercise tested how the vessel handled changing mission requirements and simulated machinery failures without onboard crew intervention. The demonstration took place off the Port of Long Beach. It brought together roughly 40 representatives from the United States and South Korea, including officials from the US Navy and Coast Guard. Representatives from the Republic of Korea Navy and South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration also attended. Testing autonomy at sea The three-and-a-half-hour exercise used a modified 368-ton unmanned surface vessel previously operated by the US Navy. HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) equipped the vessel with its VAone autonomy suite. Anduril supplied its Lattice mission autonomy platform. Together, the systems demonstrated how an unmanned vessel could navigate maritime environments and adjust its behavior as mission conditions changed. The trials included formation sailing and emergency responses to simulated machinery failures. Operators and observers followed the exercise remotely through a shore-based control station. A live feed allowed attendees to monitor the vessel’s actions and assess its ability to execute assigned missions without continuous onboard intervention. The scenarios tested more than autonomous navigation. They also examined how the vessel could respond to mechanical problems and potential damage while maintaining operational control. Two systems, one vessel HD KSOE developed VAone as an integrated autonomy solution for unmanned vessels. Its foundation is HiNAS Prime, an autonomous navigation system developed by Avikus, HD Hyundai’s autonomous navigation subsidiary. VAone also incorporates autonomous machinery management. The system monitors equipment conditions, identifies abnormalities, and can initiate automated responses. Its damage-control component detects vessel damage and takes corrective action. Anduril’s Lattice platform adds mission-level autonomy. HD Hyundai said the integration demonstrated unmanned operations spanning navigation, machinery management, damage control, and weapons autonomy. The distinction matters because operating an unmanned vessel requires more than plotting a route. The onboard systems must interpret changing conditions and coordinate responses when equipment malfunctions or mission requirements shift. During the exercise, the vessel made successive autonomous decisions as it encountered different scenarios. HD Hyundai said the results demonstrated its ability to handle situations representative of real-world maritime operations. Pursuing US defense programs The demonstration could help both Anduril and HD Hyundai pursue American unmanned surface vessel programs. They also plan to target the wider international market as demand for uncrewed maritime platforms grows. For US defense planners, autonomous surface vessels offer a potential way to conduct selected maritime missions without placing sailors aboard every platform. Their usefulness will depend on reliable navigation, robust fault responses and effective coordination between onboard systems. The exercise provided a practical demonstration of how shipbuilding expertise and mission autonomy software can work together. However, the companies have not announced a specific US Navy procurement award arising from the trial.Jang Kwang-pil, executive vice president and head of the Future Technology Research Institute at HD KSOE, said the exercise confirmed the vessel’s ability to handle complex missions after leaving port. HD Hyundai plans to refine its autonomy technologies as it seeks a stronger position in the emerging unmanned surface vessel market.Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Aamir is a seasoned tech journalist with experience at Exhibit Magazine, Republic World, and PR Newswire. With a deep love for all things tech and science, he has spent years decoding the latest innovations and exploring how they shape industries, lifestyles, and the future of humanity.