Honeywell and LIG Nex1 establish framework to explore unmanned aerial vehicle, defense technologies

Honeywell today announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with LIG Nex1 to explore opportunities for future collaboration on the development and commercialization of solutions for the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market, including Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) and Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs), as well as selected space, electromagnetic defense and cybersecurity applications.

The MOU outlines a non-exclusive framework for potential cooperation, combining Honeywell’s advances in unmanned technologies — including resilient navigation, drone management systems and advanced communications — with LIG Nex1’s expertise in advanced precision electronic systems and its experience across unmanned air, surface and marine platforms.

The companies intend to explore opportunities to assess market needs, identify potential customers and evaluate pathways for adapting existing commercial unmanned capabilities to support defense-specific applications, subject to further evaluation and applicable approvals.

“This framework provides an opportunity to evaluate how our experience in advanced defense systems can be aligned with Honeywell’s unmanned and navigation technologies. By exploring these areas together, we aim to better address evolving requirements for unmanned and autonomous platforms,” said Jongsung Park, president, Corporate Strategy & Investment, LIG Nex1.

“Honeywell’s work with LIG Nex1 represents a disciplined approach to advancing the future of aviation and defense technologies. By exploring opportunities with LIG Nex1, we are evaluating how proven commercial unmanned capabilities can be responsibly adapted to support next-generation defense and autonomous systems,” said Sathesh Ramiah, vice president, Defense & Space, Asia Pacific, Honeywell Aerospace.

LIG Nex1 is a leading developer of advanced precision electronic systems in the Republic of Korea and works with major aircraft and defense original equipment manufacturers. The framework also considers potential export opportunities, leveraging LIG Nex1’s established customer base, subject to further assessment and regulatory review.