Norway

Kongsberg Discovery celebrates the completion of factory testing for the HUGIN Endurance, their groundbreaking long-range Autonomous Underwater Vehicle. Equipped with advanced sensors and unmatched capabilities, it promises to revolutionize marine exploration and surveillance.

Kongsberg Discovery has recently marked a significant milestone with the successful completion of factory acceptance testing for the inaugural production model of the HUGIN Endurance, their innovative long-range Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV). This achievement comes on the heels of extensive sea trials that commenced in September 2023 and culminated in a final demonstration of the vehicle's capabilities in March 2024.

Martin Wien Fjell, President of Kongsberg Discovery, expressed his pride in the team's efforts, particularly noting the timely delivery of the project. "I am very proud of the team's hard work. This project was delivered in record time, and I extend a huge thank you to everyone involved in this success," remarked Fjell.

The HUGIN Endurance represents the largest member of Kongsberg's AUV family, designed to cater to a diverse range of marine applications. From seabed mapping and oceanographic research to offshore infrastructure surveillance and environmental monitoring, the versatility of this vehicle is underscored by its ability to accommodate various payloads based on customer specifications.

"The HUGIN Endurance program has garnered significant interest from both defense sectors and commercial operators," noted Fjell, highlighting the potential impact of the AUV across various marine activities.

Technical specifications of the HUGIN Endurance are unparalleled, boasting state-of-the-art sensors such as a high-resolution synthetic aperture sonar, multibeam echo sounder, and an environmental data suite. Engineered for detailed marine exploration, the vehicle features a large configurable space for custom payloads and an extended battery life enabling autonomous missions lasting up to 15 days, covering distances of up to 2200 km (1200 nautical miles).

Notable enhancements in the latest model include increased redundancy, an advanced autonomous mission management system, and improved situational awareness, all crucial for long-term, unsupported maritime missions.

As Kongsberg Discovery continues to push the boundaries of AUV technology with the introduction of the HUGIN Endurance, the maritime and exploration sectors are poised for transformation, making the ocean more accessible and understandable than ever before.