ADEX 2025 – Hanwha evolves its Ghost Commander concept showcasing the Ghost Commander II aircraft carrier model
Two years ago at ADEX 2023 Hanwha showcased the Ghost Commander, a light carrier-type ship that was totally unmanned and was meant to deploy all unmanned air, surface and subsurface systems. This year the Ghost Commander II was exhibited, a manned platform with a reduced crew carrying both manned and unmanned systems
Unveiled at the MADEX 2025 naval exhibition that took place last May in Busan, South Korea, at the defence exhibition in Seoul Hanwha showcased again its Ghost Commander II, the second iteration of the company concept ship, which evolved according to the latest requirements of the ROK Navy. The concept ship seen two years ago was probably too futuristic to be accepted by the military, issues such as turnaround operations for unmanned systems, as well as maintenance and repair ones, on board a wholly unmanned platform.
From a hybrid between a battleship and an aircraft carrier, with a trimaran hull and inverted bow, Hanwha shifted to a much more conventional single-hull configuration. The same applies to the flight decks; the first iteration saw a two-level solution, a very short runway with arresting wires being located on top of the superstructure, angled left, while the take-off runway was oriented along the ship axis and was fitted with catapults. The Ghost Commander II has a much more conventional layout, with a single-level deck, with the typical angled landing runway with arresting wires and a forward one for take-off equipped with an electromagnetic catapult. A similar catapult is also available on the angled runway, which thus provides a second take-off option. Six helicopter landing spots are available on the port side of the flight deck. Two elevators are available starboard, ahead of the superstructure; in the model one is carrying two medium-size helicopters, the second a UCAV with folded wings, which means that probably no fixed wing combat aircraft will be embarked.
On the model flight deck a MALE surveillance UAV model was visible, similar to the MQ-1C Gray Eagle, developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. that company having signed a cooperation agreement with Hanwha Aerospace, another one being ready to take-off. Three more UAVs which shape is similar to that of Korean Air LOWUS (Low Observable Unmanned System) being also parked on the starboard side ahead of the island. Six medium helicopters were ready on the spots, four more being parked behind the island, bringing the total to 12, considering the two on the elevator. How many further manned and/or unmanned aircraft can be hosted in the hangar was not revealed.
The ship displacement has considerably increased, from 16,000 of the 2023 model to 42,000 tonnes of the current one, the need to host on board the 300-400 string complement with all related logistic needs being certainly one of the reasons for this. Length has increased from 200 to 240 metres, while maximum speed remains nearly the same, 25 versus 24 knots. The powerplant is completely different; the previous concept ship was to be powered by electric motors powered by fuel cells, with pods carrying five-blade propellers, while the new one has a combined diesel-electric powerplant activating two shafts with propellers, a bow thrusters being also visible.
The new concept ship is fitted with a well dock, which huge door is visible at stern. This should ensure easier launch and recovery for unmanned surface (AUV) and subsurface (UUV) platforms, and can also operate landing crafts in case of amphibious operations; the 60 metres overall beam should allow landing craft air cushion operations, the ROK Navy being equipped with the Solgae 631-class LCAC which is 27.9 metres long and 14.6 metres wide.
Unmanned systems will allow to considerably increase the Ghost Commander II reconnaissance and lethal range, the Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) capacity answering the naval manned/unmanned complex system announced by the ROK Navy a few years ago. EDR On-Line understood that this will leverage artificial intelligence (AI) enhanced decision making algorithms, capable to reduce operators’ workload.
The 2023 concept ship was fitted with a 48-cell vertical launch system capable to carry offensive (loitering munitions) and defensive (killer-drone) effectors. Which type of self-protection and offensive system are available on the Ghost Commander II is unclear; however the four huge AESA antennas visible on the superstructure, covering 360°, indicate that some kind of air defence missile or other effector should be embarked.
Photos by P. Valpolini
