Hanwha Defense USA (HDUSA) and Magnet Defense have entered into a strategic partnership to produce medium uncrewed surface vessels (MUSVs) for the US Department of War (DoW).
Disclosed on 10 April, the partners will focus on several potential projects, including the production of an advanced, cost-effective, and highly capable 38-meter MUSVs.
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This agreement comes after Magnet Defense started production of its flagship MUSV last month, with delivery scheduled for the second quarter of 2027.
The vessel, with a stated range of 17,000 nautical miles, has completed a round-trip sea trial from Miami to American Samoa this year, as well as other open water missions.
Magnet Defense, a Miami-based autonomous maritime company, reported that the M48 undertook a 32,000-nautical-mile route, navigating then Panama Canal and operating in Sea State 9, a scenario used to validate its performance and reliability under demanding conditions.
HDUSA and Magnet Defense signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the partnership at the 2026 Sea-Air-Space Exposition, held 19-22 April in National Harbor, Maryland.
Under the MoU, both companies will jointly construct a 38m MUSV and collaborate on configuring vessel capabilities, developing AI-driven shipyards, and advancing software for improved autonomy in operations.
Earlier this year, HDUSA also signed agreement with Hanwha Systems Co, and HavocAI to jointly develop 200ft autonomous surface vessels.
