Kongsberg Discovery announced that its Mobile Broadband Radio  MK3 series has received DD1494 certification from the United States Department of Defense , authorizing the systems for use across U.S. military operations.

The DD1494 approval confirms that the MBR MK3 series, operating in the frequency range between 4.400-5.000 GHz (Nato Band IV), meets the DoD’s stringent requirements for spectrum-dependent equipment. This certification ensures the systems can operate within designated frequency bands without interfering with other military or government communications systems, while providing robust protections against spoofing and jamming attempts. It also enables the equipment to be developed, procured, and deployed within DoD programs, with funding authorization and host nation coordination where applicable.

“Receiving DD1494 certification is a major step forward for our MBR technology,” said Vidar Bjørkedal, Vice President of Kongsberg Discovery. “It confirms that our systems meet the rigorous standards required for U.S. defense operations and reflects our commitment to delivering secure, high-performance communications solutions for both military and commercial maritime environments.”

The timing could not be more important. As the need for secure, resilient communications grows—particularly in contested and GPS-denied environments—MBR offers unmatched reliability for both manned and unmanned operations. Its ability to maintain high-bandwidth, low-latency connectivity between vessels, vehicles, and command centers enhances operational effectiveness, decision-making speed, and mission success. For the warfighter, this means better situational awareness, greater mission flexibility, and a decisive edge in complex maritime and littoral environments.

Kongsberg’s MBR systems are advanced mobile communication solutions designed to transfer large volumes of data between vessels, shore stations, and autonomous or remotely operated vehicles. These systems are critical for enabling safe, efficient, and digitally integrated maritime operations, particularly where high-speed, reliable connectivity is essential.

This milestone builds on Kongsberg’s earlier success in 2022, when the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted a rare waiver for the MBR 179 MK2 and MBR 189 MK2 systems to operate in the 5.725–5.850 GHz band. That waiver allowed the company to bring its high-performance MBR products to the U.S. commercial maritime market, expanding access to advanced digital communication capabilities. The MBR 144 series was already certified under standard FCC regulations.

With both FCC and DoD certifications now in place, Kongsberg Discovery is uniquely positioned to support a broad range of U.S. maritime stakeholders—from commercial operators to defense agencies—seeking robust, high-capacity communication systems that can withstand even the most contested information environments.