MADEX 2025: LIG Nex1 prepares first Suicide USV for sea trials

The Suicidal USV prototype on display at MADEX 2025. (Janes/Ridzwan Rahmat)

South Korean defence electronics company LIG Nex1 is preparing the first prototype of its Suicide unmanned surface vehicle (USV) for sea trials, and it is expected to take place in the latter part of 2025.

The Suicide USV is a 3D-printed USV that was unveiled for the first time at MADEX 2025.

A scale model of the Suicide USV was shown at LIG Nex1's pavilion at the show, while an actual prototype of the equipment was on display towards the rear end of the exhibition hall.

Speaking to Janes while giving a walkthrough of the prototype at MADEX 2025, a representative from LIG Nex1 explained that the Suicide USV is designed to be produced cheaply such that it can be deployed to the front line more quickly and in greater numbers when compared with conventionally manufactured USVs.

Its hull is made up of 3D-printed filament material that cannot be disclosed due to confidentiality issues. This material is subsequently treated with a waterproof wrapping to improve the USV's durability.

It has an overall length of about 9 m, and it has a 25 kg high-explosive payload that is triggered via one of three fuses located on the bow section of the USVs. The fuses are activated upon impact with the target, the representative said.

In addition to the high-explosive payload, the Suicide USV is armed with launchers for 2.75 inch rockets, and they can be employed mainly to saturate the sensors of its adversary before carrying out a ramming operation.

Other equipment on the USV include a gimbal incorporated with electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) sensors and a phased-array antenna for connectivity to services such as Starlink.