{
  "id": 7940221,
  "title": "(Yonhap Feature) Hanwha spearheads S. Korea's ground defense innovation with next-gen unmanned fleet",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/yonhap-feature-hanwha-spearheads-s-koreas-ground-defense-innovation",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-17T03:00:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yonhap News",
    "slug": "yonhap-news",
    "url": "https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260917002300315"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nThe 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.\n\nThe 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.\n\nHanwha 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.",
  "summary": "CHANGWON, South Korea, Sept. 17 (Yonhap) -- A logistics soldier stood waiting be...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Korea's 1st unmanned military ground vehicle gets ready for battlefield",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/koreas-1st-unmanned-military-ground-vehicle-gets-ready-for-battlefield",
        "published": "2026-09-17T03:02:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}