Latest Model Unveiled in MADEX 2021 in June
Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. (HHI) has recently forged a partnership with Babcock International of the United Kingdom to build a Korean-style light aircraft carrier, the Korean shipbuilder announced on Sept. 1.
The two companies recently signed an MOU at Babcock Korea’s branch office in Busan with the attendance of Ka Sam-hyun, president of Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, Nam Sang-hoon, head of the Special Vessel Unit at HHI, John Howie, chief corporate affairs officer of Babcock, and Simon Smith, British ambassador to Korea.
This partnership is aimed at combining both companies’ core technologies to win an order for the design and construction of a light aircraft carrier, which is being promoted by the South Korean Navy under the project name of CV eXperimental (CVX). HHI successfully completed conceptual design of the aircraft carrier, the first step in ship design, in 2020. The envisioned aircraft carrier, the first of its kind in South Korea, is capable of carrying short take off, vertical landing (STOVL) fighter jets.
Based on its collaboration with Babcock, HHI unveiled the latest model of a Korean-type light aircraft carrier loaded with an integrated combat system, including unmanned aircraft and vessels, at MADEX 2021 held in BEXCO, Busan in June.
The light aircraft carrier introduced by HHI drew a favorable assessment from experts with its greatly expanded flight deck and a ski jump, which improve the vessel’s aircraft operation capabilities.
HHI has designed and built a total of 90 combat ships and submarines, including the nation's first Aegis destroyer King Sejong and the next-generation convoy Incheon, since it launched the special vessel business in 1975.