Kongsberg answers defence call with US facility

”This strategic decision reflects the commitment to supporting the growing demand for advanced subsea technology in the US market,” it says.

HUGINs have already been delivered in the region to academic, commercial and government sectors such as the US Navy.

Defence, it says, has become a growing sector, and has led to the ’strategic decision’ to expand investment in the United States. Twelve navies use the HUGIN AUVs for mine counter measures, subsea and seabed warfare, and seafloor mapping.

“By establishing domestic production capabilities, we aim to strengthen our U.S.-based supply chain and enhance our responsiveness to the evolving needs of our government and commercial customers,” said Martin Wien Fjell, president of Kongsberg Discovery. “This demand has increased as global tension has risen.”

There are three HUGIN models – the Edge, HUGIN and Superior. The Superior has two to three days’ endurance in depths of up to 6,000 metres.

The vehicles are up to 6.6 metres in length and travel at up to six knots while carrying out their survey work, powered by lithium polymer batteries. They can operate autonomously.

The Kongsberg Group, based in Norway, already has a healthy footprint in North America, with around 900 staff at 15 sites in the US and Canada. Kongsberg Discovery has installed much of its sonar equipment, which is used for shallow and deep-sea survey and research missions, on more than 30 ships for the US government as well as academic fleets, it says.