Kongsberg Discovery has decided to start production of HUGIN, an autonomous underwater vehicle, in the US. This strategic decision reflects the commitment to supporting the growing demand for advanced subsea technology in the US market.
Kongsberg Discovery provides 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. The company has now decided to start producing autonomous underwater vehicles in the US.
‘This strategic decision reflects our commitment to support the growing demand for advanced subsea technology in the US market,’ says Martin Wien Fjell, President of Kongsberg Discovery. ‘By establishing domestic production capabilities, we aim to strengthen our US-based supply chain and enhance our responsiveness to the evolving needs of our government and commercial customers. This demand has increased as global tension has risen.’
Also read: Kongsberg supplies propulsion system for Colombian frigate
Expanding US investments
Kongsberg Discovery has already delivered HUGIN to the US Navy and other organisations within the government, commercial and academic sectors. Today, there are twelve 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.
Due to increased demand from the defence sector and growing recognition of the unmanned underwater vehicles’ (UUVs) capabilities among US Navy customers, a strategic decision has been made to expand investment in the United States. According to Fjell, the company’s ongoing development has resulted in systems that address a range of high-priority naval requirements.
‘Kongsberg Discovery plan to start the HUGIN production at our existing facility in Lynnwood, Washington. The future production facility is yet to be decided,’ Fjell says.
Also read: Kongsberg delivers first HUGIN AUV to US Navy
Strong footprint in the US
In the US, 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. KD US has installed and maintained this equipment on new or repurposed vessels for projects each year since 1989. Currently, the sonar mission systems are installed on over thirty ships in the US government and academic fleets. In addition to science mission sonar packages, KD US has provided the US government with uncrewed platform solutions.
Kongsberg has around 900 employees at fifteen locations in the US and Canada. All business areas are represented in the US, and the strategy going forward is to further increase its presence in North America.
Picture: HUGIN Endurance enables long-range, unsupervised shore-to-shore operations and can be equipped with a variety of sensors tailored for mission capabilities and situational awareness (photo by Kongsberg Discovery).
Also read: Kongsberg delivers first Reach Remote USV
