Daewoo shipbuilder partners with college research team to develop cybersecurity for smart warships.

SEOUL -- Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) joined hands with a research team from Korea Univesity to develop cybersecurity technologies for next-generation smart warships. Cybersecurity protects networks connected to high-tech vessels in operation from cyberattacks.

Yoon In-sang in charge of DSME's special ship design said that advanced cybersecurity technologies would be applied to protect smart warships against cyberattacks. Cybersecurity technology is essential for South Korea's Smart Navy project. The KDDX-class destroyer (KDX-IV) to be launched after 2025 will have cruise missiles, advanced sensors, a missile defense system and stealth characteristics.

In May, DSME unveiled electric-drive propulsion technology for next-generation warships saying it would begin basic design on a system similar to that used by the Zumwalt-class U.S. destroyer. The system has the advantage of securing viability in anti-submarine operations as it can minimize underwater noise. It is also advantageous to install weapons systems. Electric drive reduces ship life-cycle costs and increases stealthiness, payload and survivability.