With the launch of Aegir17 and Aegir57N, KONGSBERG is now taking orders for all three models in its Aegir SSA (Subsea Situational Awareness) sonar family, offering tailored solutions for critical maritime infrastructure protection. KONGSBERG has also expanded its collaboration with automation platform Viam to develop an AI-powered virtual sonar operator.

Norwegian technology group KONGSBERG has launched two new sonars within its Aegir SSA (Subsea Situational Awareness) family for maritime security, navigation and critical infrastructure protection. Drawing on technology developed for commercial sonars, the Aegir SSA family aims to make advanced subsea monitoring more accessible to a wider range of operators.

The launches follow the commercial introduction of the Aegir SSA family and the first product, Aegir57, at ONS 2026 in August. All three products are market-ready and available to order.

Long-range surveillance and safe navigation

The new Aegir17 is a long-range, 360-degree sonar suitable for larger maritime platforms where high performance is key. Its lower acoustic frequency and larger transducer provide greater detection range and definition compared to Aegir57 and the system gives operators more time to assess underwater threats and hazards.

The second new model, Aegir57N, combines navigation and security in a compact matrix sonar that directs its acoustic beams towards selected areas resulting in higher definition. It provides detailed information about the water column and seabed, supporting forward-looking navigation in poorly charted waters and obstacle detection, with a range performance that equals or exceeds existing comparable sonars in the market. For security applications, it can complement omnidirectional sonars by focusing surveillance on a specific approach or area with higher definition. Its compact design and Ethernet interface allow straightforward integration on unmanned surface vessels (USVs), fixed installations and other platforms where space is limited.

The new models complement the existing Aegir57, a compact 360-degree sonar offering detection ranges of up to 2,000 metres. Designed for buoys, small vessels and fixed installations, it enables continuous subsea monitoring without the size, weight and power demands of larger systems.

Virtual sonar operation with Viam

KONGSBERG is also deepening its collaboration with Viam, the US-based physical AI and automation platform, to develop and supply an AI-powered virtual sonar operator for the Aegir SSA family. The project builds on the partners’ Sonar AI system developed for Simrad sonars to automatically detect fish and alert crews in real time.

Designed particularly for uncrewed vessels and fixed monitoring installations, the solution automates detection and tracking of underwater objects, reducing the need for continuous human monitoring. Customers can use existing trained models or implement their own models for specific environments and surveillance requirements.

“Fish-finding and infrastructure protection are very different applications, but the challenge is similar: turning the constant flow of data that sonar generates into clear, actionable information about what’s happening underwater,” said Eliot Horowitz, Founder and CEO of Viam. “This will allow operators to oversee multiple remote installations and focus their attention on detections that require further investigation.”

Synergies to meet market demand

The Aegir SSA family builds on 80 years of sonar development for the commercial market. KONGSBERG has adapted this technology for maritime safety, security and infrastructure protection, drawing on established production facilities and supply chains, with sonar configurations to suit different operational requirements and budgets.

“The market for subsea awareness is changing and the introduction of the Aegir SSA sonars responds to that,” said Tonny Algroy, Sales Director Subsea Awareness, KONGSBERG. “When we combine the performance and efficiencies of scale from the commercial sonars with modern AI-fuelled sonar operation, we truly have a unique offering.”

The first commercial Aegir delivery is scheduled for November.

Beyond individual sonar installations, the expanded Aegir SSA family strengthens KONGSBERG’s layered approach to maritime surveillance and critical infrastructure protection, combining subsea sensing with satellite-based surveillance, coastal radar, drone detection and passive acoustic systems. Integrating data from these sources provides operators with a more complete picture of activity above and below the waterline, while long-range HUGIN autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) offer additional capabilities for underwater inspection and investigation.