US Navy tests 368-ton autonomous vessel in California waters
HD Hyundai and Anduril demonstrate AI-driven navigation and emergency response in 3.5-hour trial off Long Beach.
A joint demonstration by South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai and U.S. defense technology firm Anduril has marked a milestone in autonomous naval operations. The companies conducted a 3.5-hour test of an uncrewed vessel in waters near Long Beach, California, showcasing capabilities designed for the U.S. Navy.
The trial involved a 368-ton offshore support vessel previously used by the U.S. Navy. The test demonstrated the vessel’s ability to perform autonomous navigation, adapt to changing mission parameters, and respond to simulated emergencies. Real-time monitoring was conducted from shore-based control stations during the operation.
Officials from the U.S. Navy, the American Bureau of Shipping, the South Korean Navy, and South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration observed the demonstration. The vessel was equipped with HD Hyundai’s VAOne autonomous navigation platform, integrated with Anduril’s Lattice software, which combines AI-driven sensor fusion, mission autonomy, and command-and-control functions.
First demonstration in U.S. waters
“The demonstration confirmed the vessel’s capacity to handle complex missions and adapt to real-world scenarios that could arise after deployment,” said Chang Kwang-pil, senior executive vice president at HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering.
The test follows a two-year partnership between HD Hyundai and Anduril, announced in 2024, to develop autonomous military systems for the U.S., South Korea, and their allies. The collaboration has already led to plans for a new class of Autonomous Surface Vessels under the U.S. Navy’s Modular Attack Surface Craft (MASC) program, with potential applications in both defense and commercial sectors.
Expanding collaboration in autonomous naval systems
The companies are currently constructing an unnamed vessel at HD Hyundai’s shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea. Sea trials for this vessel are expected to take place off the U.S. coast as early as next month.
Anduril, founded in 2017 by tech entrepreneurs, has rapidly expanded its role in defense technology, recently securing a major Pentagon contract and announcing plans for a new manufacturing facility in Baltimore. The company’s focus on AI-driven systems aligns with the U.S. Navy’s increasing reliance on unmanned vessels, including a recent deployment of a midsize unmanned surface vessel alongside the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group in the Persian Gulf.
The Long Beach demonstration underscores the progress in integrating autonomous technology into naval operations, with both companies positioning themselves as key contributors to future maritime defense strategies.
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