Hanwha Ocean Accelerates AI Smart Warship Technology Development

Hanwha Ocean has held a research forum to accelerate the development of next-generation smart warships based on artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Approximately 120 experts, including Sim Seung-bae, Chairman of the Defense and Security Division of the Presidential Committee on AI National Strategy, along with representatives from the military, academia, and defense industry, attended the '4th Next-Generation Smart Warship Technology Research Forum' held on the 19th at the Hanwha Building in Jung-gu, Seoul.

The forum discussed innovative ways to apply AI and data technology to warship design, operation, and maintenance. Experts from Microsoft (MS) and Google Cloud Korea presented directions for realizing smart warships. A Google Cloud Korea presenter proposed 'Sovereign AI' and 'Physical AI' as key drivers for next-generation smart warships. Professor Noh Myung-il from Seoul National University's Department of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering explained how AI is revolutionizing each stage of ship design. Hanwha Systems Team Leader Jung Ji-hoon presented on 'AI-based Crew Reduction Smart Battleship,' suggesting the potential for a transition to an AI and unmanned automation-driven warship operation system to address manpower shortages caused by declining birth rates.

Furthermore, at the '4th Next-Generation Smart Warship Technology Research Forum' held at the Hanwha Building in Jung-gu, Seoul, Professor Jung Hyun from Chungnam National University, partners Shin Jung-il and François Mathieu from Dassault Systèmes, and Managing Director Song Ki-seop from Infinique contributed their expertise in various fields such as smart shipyards, autonomous navigation, digital engineering, and military policy planning, broadening the scope of discussions. The discussion on AI technology for warships extended beyond design and production to encompass operation, maintenance, and strategic domains.

Hanwha Ocean is pursuing a strategy to enhance warship export competitiveness by focusing on smart warship technology. By integrating AI, autonomous navigation, digital engineering, and MRO technologies with its existing warship construction capabilities, the company aims to expand into a comprehensive maritime defense solutions provider covering design, operation, and maintenance.