HD Hyundai and Anduril launch autonomous naval vessel for U.S. Navy market

Reported / unconfirmed Curated by Anduril News from Yonhap News Agency and 3 more · November 12, 2026 · 2 min read

What happened

HD Hyundai and Anduril held a launching ceremony on November 12 at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea, to debut a 600-ton autonomous surface vessel (ASV) jointly developed by the two companies. The vessel combines VAone, an autonomous navigation system from HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, with Anduril's Lattice platform, allowing it to conduct reconnaissance, surveillance and maritime intelligence-gathering operations without a crew.

HD Hyundai plans to conduct sea trials off Ulsan before testing the vessel in U.S. waters in early 2027 to gather operational data. The company is targeting the U.S. Navy's unmanned vessel market as it seeks to expand beyond its home market. This launch follows an earlier demonstration by the two companies of a smaller 368-ton autonomous test vessel near Long Beach, California, last month.

The U.S. Navy is building a hybrid fleet of manned and unmanned ships to strengthen its maritime capabilities. In September 2026, the Navy announced plans to procure 30 medium-sized ASVs, creating a market opportunity for vendors like HD Hyundai and Anduril.

Background

Anduril's Lattice is its core autonomy and command-and-control software platform used across the company's products and partnerships. It enables vehicles and systems to coordinate without constant human input. HD Hyundai is South Korea's largest shipbuilder and has been expanding into unmanned maritime systems. The U.S. Navy is modernizing its fleet to include more unmanned vessels alongside traditional manned ships as part of a broader push to reduce crew requirements and add flexible capability.

What to watch next

HD Hyundai will conduct sea trials off South Korea in the coming months, then move testing to U.S. waters in early 2027. The company is gathering operational data to support a bid for the Navy's planned procurement of 30 medium-sized ASVs. Watch for announcements of test results and any formal Navy evaluation or acquisition timelines.