Hanwha Shows M38 and M48 Unmanned Vessels and Containerized Munitions at AUSA 2026
Hanwha Defense USA displayed a model of the 38-metre M38 medium unmanned surface vessel, together with containerized rocket and vertical launch systems, at AUSA 2026. Naval News reported the booth visit on October 12.
The M38 is being developed with Magnet Defense, a Miami-based autonomous maritime company. Hanwha Defense USA is a subsidiary of Hanwha Aerospace. Hanwha’s Kevin Schoonover told Naval News that steel has been cut for the first 48-metre M48.
Hanwha M38 and M48 MUSV at AUSA 2026
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Show | AUSA 2026, National Harbor, Maryland area (October 2026) |
| Exhibitor | Hanwha Defense USA, a subsidiary of Hanwha Aerospace |
| Partner | Magnet Defense, Miami (autonomy and vessel design) |
| On display | Model of the M38; scale model of a 40-foot K-VLS II container |
| Partnership basis | Memorandum of understanding signed at Sea-Air-Space, April 2026, to jointly build a 38-metre MUSV |
| US Navy contract | None awarded as of April 2026, per Stars and Stripes |
The parent design vessel has recently arrived at National Harbor, outside Washington, after earlier rounds of sea testing, Naval News said. Schoonover described the M38 as the primary testing vehicle for the class. Future production is to move up to the larger 48-metre standard of the M48, with steel cut for the first M48 while M38 testing continues.
M38 vs M48 Compared
| Feature | M38 | M48 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 38 m (about 124 ft) | 48 m |
| Role | Primary test vehicle for the class | Planned production standard |
| Status | Model at AUSA; vessel at National Harbor after earlier sea tests | Magnet flagship, sea-tested in 2024; steel cut for the first new hull |
| Range | 17,000 nm per Naval News; Hanwha’s April release credits that figure to the M48 | 17,000 nm (company claim) |
| Containers | Up to four 20-ft, or two 40-ft, or two 20-ft plus one 40-ft | Four 40-ft ISO containers |
| Cruise / burst speed | Not published | 15 / 27 knots |
| Payload / displacement | Not published | 100 tons / 210 tons |
The sources disagree on one point. Naval News says the M38 has demonstrated 17,000 nautical miles, including a Pacific trip to American Samoa in Sea State 9. Hanwha’s April release and the Magnet Defense site attach that voyage and range to the M48. Treat the M38 range as unconfirmed.
Reading the container figures against each other, the M38 holds the equivalent of two 40-foot containers where the M48 holds four. That arithmetic is analysis, not a company statement.
Hanwha and Magnet Defense Split the Work
Schoonover told Naval News that Hanwha handles most of the vessel’s construction and the integration of autonomous weapons, while Magnet Defense handles most of the autonomy for navigation and operation. Like similar-sized USVs, the M38 can carry containerized payloads for strike, reconnaissance and electronic warfare.
The April memorandum, signed at Sea-Air-Space 2026, commits the companies to jointly build a 38-metre MUSV, configure its capabilities, develop AI-driven robotic shipyards and collaborate on autonomy software. “Hanwha remains committed to fielding the most capable and lethal MUSVs,” said Hanwha Defense USA CEO Michael Coulter. Naval News adds that the vessel is also being pitched to overseas buyers, beyond the US MUSV programme and Korean use.
Containerized Launchers for the M38
Naval News counted four containerized systems at the booth: two in 20-foot boxes and two in 40-foot boxes. On the M38, they can be fitted as up to four 20-foot packages, two 40-foot packages, or a pair of 20-foot boxes plus one 40-foot box. The Chunmoo pod reuses the munitions and launch mechanism of the truck-based K239 Chunmoo rocket launcher.
| Container | Size | Cells or pods and weapons |
|---|---|---|
| Chunmoo MLRS | 20 ft | 2 pods; each pod holds 6 CGR-080 guided rockets, or 4 CTM-MR missiles (160 km), or 4 CTM-160 anti-ship ballistic missiles, or 1 CTM-290 (290 km), or 1 CTM-X (500 km) |
| Compact K-VLS | 20 ft | 4 cells for smaller surface-to-air missiles such as K-SAAM |
| K-VLS I | 40 ft | 4 cells; Red Shark rocket-launched torpedo (K-ASROC), SSM-700K cruise missiles, K-SAAM |
| K-VLS II | 40 ft | 2 cells; the larger L-SAM and other larger ballistic and cruise missiles |
Hanwha Aerospace Company Profile
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1977 (as Samsung Precision) |
| Parent | Hanwha Group |
| CEO | Son Jae-il |
| Revenue | 26.61 trillion won, consolidated (2025) |
| US subsidiary | Hanwha Defense USA |
| Known programmes | K239 Chunmoo, K9 self-propelled howitzer, K21 infantry fighting vehicle, K30 Biho |
Hanwha Aerospace, which owns Hanwha Defense USA, reported consolidated sales of 26.61 trillion won for 2025 in a regulatory filing, according to Korea JoongAng Daily.
US Navy MUSV Demand and Open Questions
Stars and Stripes reported in April that the Navy had not awarded a contract, after soliciting firms in March for its MUSV Family of Systems programme, and that the Navy’s fiscal 2027 budget request spoke of investing heavily in unmanned platforms. Whether the Hanwha and Magnet design competes in that programme has not been stated in the sources used here.
The pairing makes commercial sense on paper, since Hanwha supplies the weapons and shipbuilding capacity and Magnet the autonomy software. That reading is analysis, not a company claim. The M38 and M48 specifications that matter to a buyer, such as speed, payload and endurance for the 38-metre hull, have not been published.
Hanwha MUSV FAQ
What is the Hanwha M38?
A 38-metre medium unmanned surface vessel developed by Hanwha Defense USA with Magnet Defense. Hanwha describes it as the primary testing vehicle for the class.
How is the M48 different from the M38?
The M48 is 48 metres long and is the planned production size. Magnet Defense lists four 40-foot containers, 15-knot cruise speed and 210 tons displacement for it.
What weapons can the M38 carry?
Hanwha showed containerized Chunmoo rocket launchers and K-VLS vertical launchers, holding weapons such as CTM-290 missiles, K-SAAM, SSM-700K and L-SAM.
Who builds the vessel?
Hanwha handles most construction and autonomous weapons integration, while Magnet Defense handles most of the autonomy for navigation and operation, per Naval News.
Has the US Navy ordered the M38 or M48?
No order is reported in the sources used. Stars and Stripes said in April that the Navy had not awarded a MUSV contract.
- Naval News – “Hanwha Highlights M38/M48 MUSV and Containerized Munitions at AUSA 2026” (October 12, 2026): navalnews.com
- Hanwha – “Hanwha and Magnet Defense formalize MUSV strategic partnership” (press release, April 2026): hanwha.com
- Naval News – “Hanwha and Magnet Defense Formalize MUSV Strategic Partnership” (April 21, 2026): navalnews.com
- Magnet Defense – platform specifications (M48): magnetdefense.com
- Stars and Stripes – “US, South Korean firms to partner on unmanned surface vessel for US military” (April 24, 2026): stripes.com
- Korea JoongAng Daily – “Hanwha Aerospace, HD HHI log record revenue on banner year for K-defense” (February 10, 2026): koreajoongangdaily.com
- Wikipedia – Hanwha Aerospace (company data): wikipedia.org
