(Yonhap Feature) Hanwha spearheads S. Korea's ground defense innovation with next-gen unmanned fleet
CHANGWON, South Korea, Sept. 17 (Yonhap) -- A logistics soldier stood waiting be...
On September 17, South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace Co. unveiled its next-generation autonomous ground vehicles (UGVs) at a demonstration in Changwon, roughly 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul. The event highlighted several of Hanwha's unmanned land defense systems, both in production and under development, including the Arion-SMET, GRUNT and Tigon armored vehicle.
The Arion-SMET, a 2.2-ton multipurpose UGV, is the lighter half of Hanwha's UGV lineup, boasting a top speed of 60 km/h and a 100 km range on a single charge. Designed to fulfill duties from transporting ammunition and evacuating casualties to providing tactical reconnaissance and close combat support, the vehicle can perform tasks while maintaining a lock-on to human targets ahead.
The demonstration showcased the vehicle's advanced features, such as its follow-me mode which enables it to act as an autonomous shadow to a lead soldier at a safe, preset distance. The vehicle's remote controlled weapon system (RCWS) can lock onto targets and maintain focus even while navigating rugged terrain.
Hanwha is set to produce 40 Arion-SMET units by 2028, all being manufactured at the Changwon plant. The company is also working on the hybrid-fueled GRUNT, set to succeed the Arion-SMET, and medium and large UGV models that could weigh up to 20-30 tons.
Written by urgent.news from Yonhap News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
