Kongsberg Discovery has strengthened its multibeam echosounder portfolio with the launch of two new EM2042 variants, extending high-performance seabed mapping capability from surface vessels to deepwater platforms and naval operations.

The new EM2042 DR600 and EM2042 BNS build on the market proven EM2042 platform, sharing its successful next-generation acoustic architecture, while addressing two distinct operational needs: deep-rated subsea vehicles (spanning platforms from AUVs, ROVs, ROTVS to submarines) and demanding naval environments. Both products will be showcased at Oceanology International in London, giving visitors the opportunity to explore how Kongsberg Discovery continues to push boundaries in underwater sensing innovation.

Data deep dives

 The EM2042 DR600 offers the same market leading performance as the standard EM 2042 but is engineered specifically for underwater vehicles and deep unmanned platforms. With a depth rating of 600m, thanks to pressure resistant titanium housing and subsea-qualified electronics, the system delivers ultra-high-resolution mapping in a lightweight, energy-efficient package optimised for subsea vehicles with limited power budgets.

Its vehicle agnostic design and single cable connectivity offer flexible, simple integration, while its unique dual RX and single TX configuration enables up to 220° swath coverage on subsea platforms. Other stand-out features include multi‑transmitter/multisector technology, with full 4D motion compensation for precise mapping, even on manoeuvring vehicles, and QuadSwath ready technology for increased coverage and faster operations.

“EM2042 DR600 brings world class depth-rated performance in a vehicle agnostic package suitable for a huge range of applications,” comments Jose Cordero, Product Manager, Kongsberg Discovery. “It gives operators a new capacity to dive deeper, especially with autonomous assets, and achieve ultra-high-resolution mapping results with speed and precision they can trust. This is an exciting development the market has been calling out for.”

Built tough  

Complementing the DR600 is EM2042 BNS, a naval-optimised multibeam solution developed to enable optimal underwater domain awareness, critical infrastructure protection, rapid environment assessments and a wide range of defence applications.

Built for harsh environments, with military-grade robustness, the BNS variant combines high-resolution bathymetry with co-registered backscatter, enabling accurate seabed modelling, change detection and target tracking in the water column. Its wideband frequency coverage (150-700 kHz) and advanced motion stabilisation, deliver precise mapping even on fast-moving or unstable platforms, while a single-cable architecture simplifies installation and reduces topside complexity – particularly valuable for submarine and naval integrations.

The result is a light, limber and capable system that supports faster operations, improved mission efficiency, and confident decision making, when it matters most.

“EM2042 BNS sets a new standard for naval seabed mapping and navigation,” Cordero adds. “It pairs unmatched acoustic performance with the robustness and stability required for demanding defence environments, giving users the confidence to meet demands and address challenges, from wide-area awareness to high-resolution inspection.”

Customer at the core

Both EM2042 DR600 and EM2042 BNS demonstrate Kongsberg Discovery’s ambition to continually evolve and improve its product portfolio to meet the challenges of an ever-changing, increasingly unpredictable operational environment.

“Everything we do is driven by our ambition to enable customer success,” Cordero concludes. “These new EM2042 variants demonstrate how we listen to the market and respond with practical, high-performance solutions – whether that’s enabling autonomous operations at depth or enhancing situational awareness for naval platforms. Our mission is to keep pushing what’s possible underwater, helping users work smarter, safer and with greater confidence.”

Visitors to Oceanology International will be able to experience both new EM2042 models firsthand and speak with Kongsberg Discovery specialists about integration options, applications and future developments across defence, energy and ocean science.