Kongsberg Discovery Secures Contract For US Navy’s Autonomous Underwater Drones

Kongsberg Discovery has been awarded a significant contract by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to improve the U.S. Navy’s undersea operations capabilities. The 24-month contract intends to accelerate the use of state-of-the-art HUGIN Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) technology for vital navy operations.

Kongsberg Discovery is a leader in innovation in the Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) industry, having developed unmatched experience in the field over more than three decades. The company’s track record, which includes delivering almost 100 HUGIN AUV systems worldwide, speaks effectively about its dedication to excellence in the commercial and government sectors.

The HUGIN Endurance and HUGIN Superior AUV models, which stand for the epitome of underwater drone technology, are essential to this deal. The HUGIN Endurance is a vessel of remarkable dimensions, measuring 39 feet long and 47 inches in diameter. Its unparalleled endurance of 15 days allows for smooth operations from coast to shore across a distance of 1,200 nautical miles. Meanwhile, the HUGIN Superior, a stalwart in the deep-water business, boasts a 22-foot length, 35-inch diameter, and 70-hour endurance, making it a versatile asset for various tasks.

Seabed Warfare (SBW), Mine Counter Measure (MCM), Intelligence Preparation of the Operational Environment (IPoE), and seafloor mapping capabilities are made possible by the robust sensors that Kongsberg has fitted these AUVs with from the outset. The HUGIN Endurance also has an increased range and more payload integration capacity to increase its usefulness and versatility further.

Kongsberg Discovery President Martin Wien Fjell emphasised his enthusiasm for the project by saying, “We are pushing the boundaries of autonomous over-the-horizon AUV operations with HUGIN Endurance.” We are excited to work closely with DIU and the U.S. Navy to implement their LDUUV program by utilising our years of experience supporting the U.S. Government.”

Kongsberg’s historic partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), which dates back to 1892, is strengthened by this deal. With a range of products, including the NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System), RWS, NSM (Naval Strike Missile), and sophisticated oceanographic mapping sonars, the business has, over the years, supplied vital support.

Kongsberg Discovery’s U.S. team, headquartered in Lynnwood, Washington, specialises in providing and integrating state-of-the-art unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) and unmanned surface systems. President of Kongsberg Discovery’s U.S. entity Caitlin Hardy stressed the company’s dedication to helping DIU’s efforts and U.S. Government customers by supplying superior oceanographic data via Kongsberg Discovery’s well-known acoustic instruments.

Kongsberg Discovery’s constant commitment to expanding naval capabilities and guaranteeing the safety and security of marine operations is demonstrated by this contract, representing a key milestone in underwater defence technology.

Reference: Kongsberg

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