HD Hyundai and Anduril Demonstrate Unmanned Surface Vessel Off California

South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai and U.S. defense-technology firm Anduril Industries jointly conducted a trial of an unmanned surface vessel (USV) off the Port of Long Beach, California. The test lasted roughly three and a half hours and was monitored in real time from a shore-based control center. During the exercise the vessel performed autonomous navigation, responded to mission-change commands, sailed in formation with simulated peers, and executed an emergency response to a simulated engine failure.

HD Hyundai shows off unmanned warship technology in U.S. with Anduril HD Hyundai Successfully Demonstrates Unmanned Surface Vessel Technology in the U.S., First Korean Company to Do So HD Hyundai Demonstrates 'Unmanned Surface Vessel' Solution in the U.S.

The USV was a converted 368-ton test ship previously operated by the U.S. Navy. It was equipped with HD Hyundai’s “VAone” autonomy suite—an integrated solution built on the company’s HiNAS Prime navigation system—and Anduril’s “Lattice” mission-management software. Together the systems enabled:

HD Hyundai shows off unmanned warship technology in U.S. with Anduril

• Navigation autonomy – continuous self-steering without human input.

HD Hyundai Successfully Demonstrates Unmanned Surface Vessel Technology in the U.S., First Korean Company to Do So

• Machinery autonomy – real-time monitoring of engine health and automatic anomaly response.

HD Hyundai Successfully Demonstrates Unmanned Surface Vessel Technology in the U.S., First Korean Company to Do So

• Damage-control autonomy – detection of hull or system damage and independent corrective action.

HD Hyundai Successfully Demonstrates Unmanned Surface Vessel Technology in the U.S., First Korean Company to Do So

• Mission-level autonomy – coordination of navigation, machinery, damage response and simulated weapons tasks across complex scenarios.

HD Hyundai Successfully Demonstrates Unmanned Surface Vessel Technology in the U.S., First Korean Company to Do So

Approximately 40 officials from South Korea and the United States observed the demonstration. Attendees included:

HD Hyundai Successfully Demonstrates Unmanned Surface Vessel Technology in the U.S., First Korean Company to Do So

• Kwangpil Chang, vice president and head of the Future Technology Research Institute at HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE).

HD Hyundai Successfully Demonstrates Unmanned Surface Vessel Technology in the U.S., First Korean Company to Do So

• Representatives of Anduril Industries, the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Coast Guard, the American Bureau of Shipping, the Republic of Korea Navy, and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration.

'Warships Carry Out Missions on Their Own'... HD Hyundai Gives First U.S. Demonstration of Unmanned Surface Vessel Technology

HD Hyundai described the trial as a milestone that validates the USV’s ability to execute “composite missions” and respond to a range of realistic maritime situations. The company said the results will be used to pursue participation in U.S. unmanned-surface-vessel programs and to expand into the global market, where demand for autonomous naval platforms has recently surged. Anduril’s representatives highlighted the performance of the Lattice software in coordinating mission tasks and noted that the system has already been proven in operational environments.

'Warships Carry Out Missions on Their Own'... HD Hyundai Gives First U.S. Demonstration of Unmanned Surface Vessel Technology

• “It is significant that this demonstration confirmed the unmanned surface vessel’s ability to carry out complex missions and respond to a range of real-world situations that may arise after departure,” — Kwangpil Chang, a vice president of HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co

HD Hyundai Successfully Demonstrates Unmanned Surface Vessel Technology in the U.S., First Korean Company to Do So

The successful demonstration positions HD Hyundai as the first South Korean firm to showcase autonomous surface-vessel technology in U.S. waters. By pairing its in-house VAone suite with Anduril’s Lattice platform, the partnership aims to enter the U.S. defense procurement pipeline and capture a share of the growing international market for unmanned maritime systems. Both companies indicated that continued development will focus on enhancing mission-level autonomy to maintain a competitive edge in forthcoming contracts.

'Warships Carry Out Missions on Their Own'... HD Hyundai Gives First U.S. Demonstration of Unmanned Surface Vessel Technology