Norway-headquartered
Kongsberg Discovery has started production of HUGIN, an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), in the USA. This strategic decision reflects the company’scommitment to supporting the ‘growing demand for advanced subsea technology in the US market’. Kongsberg Discovery is a global leader in advanced robotics and sensor technology, enabling the mapping, monitoring, and surveying of the ocean environment. This is achieved using advanced hydroacoustic, optical, and scientific sensors, connected to sophisticated data networks and visualisation tools.
Martin Wien Fjell, president of Kongsberg Discovery, said: This strategic decision reflects our commitment to support the growing demand for advanced subsea technology in the US market. By establishing domestic production capabilities, we aim to strengthen our supply chain in the country and enhance our responsiveness to the evolving needs of our government and commercial customers. This demand has increased as global tensions have risen.”
Kongsberg Discovery has already delivered HUGIN to the US Navy and other organisations within the government, commercial and academic sectors. Due to increased demand from the defence sector and growing recognition of its unmanned underwater vehicles’ (UUV) capabilities among US Navy customers, a strategic decision has been made to expand investment in the country.
High priority naval requirementsAccording to Mr Fjell, the company’s ongoing development has resulted in systems that address a range of high priority naval requirements. He said: “Kongsberg Discovery plans to start the HUGIN production at our existing facility in Lynnwood, Washington. A future production facility is yet to be decided.”
Today, there are 12 navies using HUGIN in real-world missions such as intelligence preparation of the operational environment, mine counter-measure, subsea and seabed warfare, and seafloor mapping operations. Mr Fjell continued: “We are excited to bring our many years of AUV experience in support of the US military. This is a major project that supports the management’s decision to invest in a production and assembly facility for HUGIN in the USA.”
In the USA, Kongsberg Discovery US (formerly Kongsberg Underwater Technology LLC) has been the exclusive supplier and integrator of Kongsberg Discovery (KD) sonar equipment used for oceanographic survey and research missions, from the shallowest to the deepest parts of the oceans. KD US has installed and maintained this equipment on new or re-purposed vessels for projects each year since 1989.
Currently, the sonar mission systems on over 30 ships in the US government and academic fleets are supported throughout their lifespan, including the T-AGS 60 class and T-ARC, as well as achieving significant commercial success. In addition to science mission sonar packages, KD US has provided the US government with uncrewed platform solutions.