Navy launches Korean-made rockets from USV in ongoing foreign comparative test effort

The Navy successfully launched Korean-made guided munitions from an unmanned surface vessel during a July 12 live-fire demonstration that occurred off the coast of Hawaii as part of the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024 exercise.

According to a Monday announcement from the Navy’s Program Executive Office for Unmanned and Small Combatants, the Poniard rocket demonstration was the “culminating event” in an ongoing foreign comparative test project directed by the office of the under secretary of defense for research and engineering.

Poniard rockets are a low-cost, guided munition made by South Korean company LIG Nex1. Foreign comparative testing is a process for evaluating foreign-made weapons for U.S. military use.

During the RIMPAC demonstration, the Poniard launcher was paired with Textron’s Common Unmanned Surface Vessel (CUSV), a multimission platform designed to support a variety of payloads including mine countermeasures, expeditionary warfare and surface warfare.

“The successful live fire demonstration from the CUSV showcases our ability to rapidly deploy and use low-cost guided munitions from unmanned platforms,” said Capt. Matthew Lehmann, program manager for the Littoral Combat Ship mission modules office, in a statement included in the release. “This capability enhances our operational reach and effectiveness, ensuring the Navy remains a dominant force in maritime operations.”