Arlington, VA. | January 08, 2026 – In a strategic move to reshape naval procurement, Hanwha Defense USA (HDUSA) and collaborative autonomy leader HavocAI have formalized a partnership to develop and mass-produce 200-foot Autonomous Surface Vessels (ASV).
The agreement marks a milestone in U.S. maritime history, as Hanwha is currently the only shipbuilder with an operational U.S. shipyard to enter a joint development agreement with a specialized autonomy firm. The Hanwha Philly Shipyard is under active consideration as the primary production hub for these large-scale uncrewed vessels.
Table of Contents
The “Software-First” Defense Strategy
The partnership combines Hanwha’s global manufacturing infrastructure with HavocAI’s “collaborative autonomy” stack, a software suite designed to allow multiple vessels to operate as a coordinated unit.
HavocAI, which recently secured $85 million in funding, has already proven its technology in high-stakes environments. The company confirmed that its systems have been successfully demonstrated in GPS-denied environments to Ukrainian officials, a critical capability for modern electronic warfare.
“This agreement will not only deliver for the American warfighter but will create much-needed competition for the Department of War acquisition process,” said Michael Coulter, CEO of Hanwha Defense USA.
Meeting the “Demand Signal”
The initiative is designed to meet the U.S. Government’s Modular Attack Surface Craft requirements. The Department of War has signaled an urgent need for “more boats, faster, for less money,” shifting away from traditional, multi-billion dollar crewed platforms toward scalable, autonomous fleets.
Paul Lwin, Co-founder and CEO of HavocAI, noted that the partnership is a direct response to this shift “The Department of War has sent a clear demand signal: we need more capabilities for less money. Pairing leading-edge technology with established global infrastructure is exactly how we achieve that goal.”
Technical Spotlight: GPS-Denied Autonomy
For maritime readers, the most significant aspect of this partnership is HavocAI’s ability to operate without satellite positioning. In contested waters where GPS signals are jammed or spoofed, the Hanwha-HavocAI vessels utilize Inertial Navigation and Computer Vision to maintain mission parameters.
This “collaborative autonomy” allows a single operator to command a “swarm” of 200-foot vessels, providing a massive force-multiplier effect for coastal defense and force protection missions.
About HavocAI
HavocAI is the market leader in collaborative maritime autonomy, providing software-first solutions for the U.S. military. Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, the company specializes in “Collaborative Autonomy Stacks” that allow single operators to manage large fleets of uncrewed vessels in complex, GPS-denied environments.
About Hanwha Defense USA
Hanwha Defense USA (HDUSA), a subsidiary of Hanwha Aerospace, is a leading provider of advanced ground and maritime combat systems. By leveraging the manufacturing scale of the global Hanwha Group and its affiliate, Hanwha Philly Shipyard, HDUSA delivers mission-critical platforms designed to enhance the firepower and survivability of modern military forces.
Source: Hanwha Defence USA