Kongsberg Discovery is opening up access to one of the world’s most advanced underwater imaging technologies, with today’s market launch of the HISAS2020 synthetic aperture sonar.

Previously available exclusively as part of integrated payloads on Kongsberg Discovery’s HUGIN AUV family, HISAS can now be implemented across any platform – including all relevant AUVs, USVs, ROVs and towed assets – delivering crystal-clear, centimetre-level resolution, robust system design for long-term reliability, and real-time data processing. The solution, suitable for a vast array of defence, energy and ocean science applications, will be officially showcased at Oceanology International in London in March.

Proven performance

As Espen Reinertsen, VP Mapping, Kongsberg Discovery, points out, the launch is particularly noteworthy as HISAS is already market proven across thousands of missions worldwide, with today’s solution actually representing the fourth generation of the breakthrough technology.

“It’s unique for an innovative solution to come to market with a proven track record of success across so many operational domains and applications,” comments Reinertsen. “The technology has matured through years of real-world use, in exceptionally demanding missions and operating conditions, giving HUGIN users imaging with resolutions many times higher than conventional sonar. We now believe the time is right to push those benefits out to a wider audience, enabling platform-independent deployment for the ultimate in flexibility, usability and consistently high quality results. This is a natural, and important, evolution for HISAS.”

Speed and precision

HISAS2020 operates in the 120–210 kHz frequency range, delivering ultra-high-resolution imagery, alongside co-registered bathymetry, in a single pass. A key advantage is its real-time, GPU-enabled processing architecture, allowing data to be processed on the fly, transforming raw acoustic returns into actionable insights during the mission itself, rather than through post-processing onshore. The result is faster decision-making, reduced survey time and increased operational efficiency.

For users, this means seeing more detail, detecting smaller objects, and understanding underwater environments with both greater confidence and speed — whether the task is seabed mapping, surveys of critical underwater infrastructure, or target identification.

Enabling confidence

The flexibility of HISAS2020 makes it relevant across a wide range of high value use cases.

Defence operators benefit from precise seabed awareness for mine countermeasures, harbour protection, search and rescue operations, and overall maritime domain awareness. Energy companies gain improved inspection capability for pipelines, cables and offshore assets, supporting both maintenance and integrity assessments. Ocean scientists and hydrographers can capture highly detailed maps of habitats, archaeological sites and geological features, enabling long-term monitoring and environmental research.

What unites these applications is the need for accuracy, reliability and consistency — qualities that have defined Kongsberg Discovery’s hydroacoustic portfolio for decades.

“Users want data they can trust, especially when operating in complex or sensitive environments,” Reinertsen adds. “HISAS2020 is about delivering that trust. It provides a complete picture in a single pass, reducing uncertainty and enabling better outcomes across missions.”

Gold standard for all

Kongsberg Discovery was among the first companies to bring synthetic aperture sonar into the commercial market, and HISAS has long been regarded as ‘the gold standard’ for high-end survey work. By opening access beyond the HUGIN ecosystem, the company is extending that legacy — while maintaining the performance and quality that made the system successful in the first place.

The standalone launch reflects Kongsberg Discovery’s broader commitment to platform-agnostic innovation and long-term partnerships with customers, enabling them to build solutions tailored to their specific operational needs.

Those wishing to experience HISAS2020 first hand can visit Kongsberg Discovery’s stand at Oceanology International, where specialists are available to discuss integration options, applications, and the vast potential of future developments.