Historical developments in USV, UUV and UGV systems. Original milestones, source-linked evidence and reviewed UXV Searcher analysis.
Samsung Heavy Industries and Saronic Technologies signed a strategic business MOU in Washington on July 23, 2026. The cooperation covers autonomous maritime technologies, AI/digital solutions and production infrastructure relevant to uncrewed vessels. No specific defense customer or procurement award was disclosed.
Original event: 23 Jul 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
The ROK Navy and Hanwha Systems conducted an AI-based unmanned mine-warfare combat experiment on August 3, 2026. The activity integrated Hanwha's 30-ton combat USV, the Haeryeong reconnaissance USV, an AUV and an AI-based mine-warfare control architecture, demonstrating simultaneous control of multiple unmanned systems.
Original event: 3 Aug 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
Hanwha Systems demonstrated AI-generated mission planning aboard its 30-ton combat USV at Jangmok Port, Geoje, on August 7, 2026. The vessel interpreted a natural-language task, generated its route and autonomously conducted an identification/tracking mission before returning.
Original event: 7 Aug 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
ADD issued tender R26BK01674176 on August 13, 2026 for a prototype controller associated with USV magnetic/acoustic combined mine-sweeping equipment. The procurement budget was KRW 400 million and the estimated price was approximately KRW 363.636 million, with work proposed through June 30, 2029.
Original event: 13 Aug 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
ADD issued procurement R26BK01674144 on August 13, 2026 for a prototype combined mine-sweeping signal generator linked to USV magnetic/acoustic mine-sweeping technology. The correct procurement budget is KRW 6.9 billion, while the estimated price is approximately KRW 6.272727 billion. These values are separated in the validated master rather than conflated.
Original event: 13 Aug 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
LIG Defense & Aerospace presented the Sea Sword-X modular unmanned surface vessel at UMEX 2026 in Abu Dhabi from January 20 to 22. The platform was presented for surveillance, reconnaissance, combat and maritime-security missions, while independent government technical material identifies anti-ship weapon options.
Original event: January 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
LIG Defense & Aerospace presented Sea Sword-III at World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh from February 8 to 12. The platform was included in LIG's maritime unmanned-systems portfolio for international defense customers. The event is an export-market presentation and does not establish a Saudi or other foreign purchase order.
Original event: February 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
LIG Defense & Aerospace presented a broad unmanned-surface-vessel lineup at YIDEX 2026 from April 1 to 3. The display included reconnaissance platforms, the armed Sea Sword-X, one-way-attack concepts, shipborne USVs and mine-warfare concepts aligned with the ROK Navy's Navy Sea GHOST architecture.
Original event: April 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
LIG Defense & Aerospace presented a one-way-attack unmanned surface vessel at Sea-Air-Space 2026 in the United States from April 20 to 22. Official company material positioned the system for the U.S. maritime-defense market alongside LIG's wider unmanned maritime portfolio. This is an export-market presentation rather than evidence of a U.S.
Original event: April 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
The ROK Navy's re-tender R26BK01588145 for the combat experiment against maritime threats from drones and USVs concluded unsuccessfully on July 3, 2026. This is the formal outcome of the June 17 re-tender and is distinct from both the initial tender failure and the re-tender notice. No contract or delivery followed from this procedure.
Original event: 3 Jul 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
ADD issued tender R26BK01674267 on August 13, 2026 for a land testbed supporting the common architecture for maritime unmanned systems. The procurement supports integration, verification and mission-management development for maritime unmanned capabilities, including USV-oriented architecture work.
Original event: 13 Aug 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
Hanwha Systems and the Korea Institute of Robotics & Technology Convergence established a joint research laboratory for maritime intelligent cooperative systems at the end of June 2026.
Original event: 30 Jun 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
The Finnish Navy's spring Narrow Waters 26-1 exercise tested maritime and aerial drones as part of development toward an operational framework for unmanned systems. Public reporting confirms sea-drone experimentation but does not disclose a specific USV model, supplier, quantity or acquisition status.
Original event: 25 May 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
During a NATO Innovation Range Finland maritime test in Turku, Finnish participants routed harbor-sensor information through an unmanned vessel acting as a communications relay and onward over long-range communications.
Original event: 8 Jun 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
Boomeranger Boats announced a EUR 3 million expansion of its Valkom factory in Loviisa with the stated goal of beginning production of unmanned surface vessels in Finland. The company described demand for USVs in defense and security markets and said the products are based on previously tested technology.
Original event: 14 Jul 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
Blue Armada Robotics and Seatech Engineering announced strategic cooperation at the start of 2026 to develop and industrialize a new line of autonomous unmanned surface vessels for international dual-use markets.
Original event: 22 Jan 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
The European Defence Agency concluded SABUVIS II in early February 2026 after four years of work led by Poland. Although primarily focused on underwater swarms, the project explicitly developed mixed swarms integrating underwater and autonomous surface vehicles and validated common C2 and interoperability approaches.
Original event: 7 Feb 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026
The Polish Armament Agency published an invitation on March 19, 2026 for preliminary market consultations concerning MAGURA V7-class unmanned surface weapon systems. The requirement sought mature TRL-9-class solutions and requested technical parameters, cost and delivery-time information from interested entities.
Original event: 19 Mar 2026
Published: 10 Oct 2026