Kongsberg Discovery has decided to start production of HUGIN, an autonomous underwater vehicle, in the U.S. This strategic decision reflects the commitment to supporting the growing demand for advanced subsea technology in the U.S. 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. The company has now decided to start producing autonomous underwater vehicles in the U.S.

“This strategic decision reflects our commitment to support the growing demand for advanced subsea technology in the U.S. market. 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. This demand has increased as global tension has risen”, says Martin Wien Fjell, President of Kongsberg Discovery.

Utilize opportunities

Kongsberg Discovery have already delivered HUGIN to the U.S. Navy and other organizations within the government, commercial and academic sectors.

Due to increased demand from the defense sector and growing recognition of our unmanned underwater vehicles’ (UUV) capabilities among U.S. 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,” he says.

Increased attention from defense
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.

“We are excited to bring our many years of AUV experience in support of the U.S. military. This is a major project that supports the management’s decision to invest in a production and assembly facility for HUGIN in the US,” Fjell continued.

Strong footprint in the US

In the United States, Kongsberg Discovery U.S. (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 U.S. has installed and maintained this equipment on new or repurposed vessels for projects each year since 1989. Currently, the sonar mission systems on over 30 ships in the U.S. 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 U.S. has provided the U.S. government with uncrewed platform solutions.

KONGSBERG have around 900 employees at 15 locations in the U.S. and Canada. All business areas are represented in the U.S., and the strategy going forward is to further increase its presence in North America.