Kongsberg Maritime has been contracted by the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA) for the delivery of four complete HUGIN autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) systems.
The HUGIN AUVs are set to have a depth rating of 3,000m, and will be equipped with advanced sensors and used for detection, classification and identification of mines.
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NDMA project manager Bård Øina said: “Our job is to continuously develop and modernise the Norwegian Armed Forces, and the acquisition of HUGIN is an important part of the Royal Norwegian Navy’s transition to autonomous systems for mine countermeasures.”
The new agreement will see Kongsberg Maritime deliver the AUV systems to aid planning, execution and analysis of navy missions.
The company will also supply launch and recovery systems for the Royal Norwegian Navy’s mine hunting vessels and mobile containers.
Kongsberg Maritime president Egil Haugsdal said: “We are proud that the NDMA has chosen Kongsberg Maritime as supplier of new AUV systems.
“The HUGIN systems that will be delivered to the Norwegian Armed Forces will contribute to more efficient and safe operations.
“The two mobile container systems being delivered are portable and flexible, and can therefore be used by several different vessel types. We are also to deliver training and maintenance.”
Kongsberg worked in collaboration with the Royal Norwegian Navy and the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment on the development and verification of AUV systems for mine hunting over a period of several years.
Image: HUGIN autonomous underwater vehicle system. Photo: courtesy of Kongsberg Maritime.
