ABS, HD Hyundai and Anduril Industries have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a framework for autonomous surface vessels covering design, production, autonomy and classification, according to ABS.
The agreement brings together HD Hyundai’s shipbuilding capabilities, ABS’ role in classification, certification and assurance, and Anduril’s autonomous systems and artificial intelligence technologies.
The signing ceremony took place during the 2026 Sea Air and Space Expo in National Harbor, Maryland.
Paul Karam, ABS executive vice president, operations, said the group was focused on the “safe, practical and scalable adoption” of autonomous surface vessels. WonHo Joo, president and chief executive of the naval and medium size ships business unit at HD Hyundai, said unmanned vessels were becoming a defining theme in the future naval market. Cory Emmons, general manager of Anduril Industries’ surface dominance division, said the partners had high expectations for the certification process for the vessel to be developed by HD Hyundai and Anduril.
The MOU extends an existing relationship between HD Hyundai and Anduril in autonomous naval systems. In November 2025, Anduril said it had partnered with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries to develop autonomous warships. In April 2026, it said their first autonomous surface vessel was already in production.
ABS is a classification society founded in 1862 that provides classification, certification and verification services for marine and offshore assets.
HD Hyundai is a South Korean industrial group that started in shipbuilding in 1972. HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering lists its address in Seongnam, Republic of Korea.
Anduril Industries is a US defense technology company focused on autonomous systems and related technologies for US and allied forces.
