Kongsberg Discovery starts U.S. production of HUGIN autonomous underwater robot amid high demand.

Kongsberg Discovery has launched a significant industrial expansion by initiating domestic production of its flagship autonomous underwater vehicle, the HUGIN, within the United States. This move reflects the company’s strategic intent to fortify its presence in a rapidly growing defense and commercial subsea market. The production will begin at Kongsberg Discovery's existing facility in Lynnwood, Washington, with plans for an additional dedicated manufacturing site under evaluation. The decision is driven by rising demand from U.S. defense stakeholders for unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) that meet modern maritime warfare and surveillance needs.
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Kongsberg Discovery HUGIN is an advanced underwater robot capable of mine detection, seabed mapping, and subsea intelligence tasks. (Picture source: Kongsberg)

Martin Wien Fjell, President of Kongsberg Discovery, emphasized that this initiative is a response to escalating global security tensions and the growing recognition of HUGIN’s capabilities among U.S. military and governmental users. With the U.S. Navy already operating HUGIN systems in a variety of mission profiles including mine countermeasures, seabed warfare, and environmental intelligence, the move to establish localized production marks a major milestone in Kongsberg’s ongoing investment in the U.S. defense sector. The company anticipates improved supply chain resilience and faster delivery cycles to match the evolving operational requirements of its American clients.

HUGIN is a state-of-the-art autonomous underwater vehicle developed by Kongsberg Discovery for advanced subsea operations, combining precision navigation, long endurance, and modular payload capabilities. Designed to operate independently of surface support, HUGIN is equipped with high-resolution synthetic aperture sonar, multibeam echosounders, sub-bottom profilers, environmental sensors, and optical cameras. This powerful combination of systems enables the AUV to conduct detailed mapping, mine detection, intelligence gathering, and environmental monitoring tasks in complex underwater environments with minimal human intervention.

Unlike remotely operated vehicles, which require tethering and constant surface control, HUGIN operates autonomously and can be pre-programmed for long-range missions, making it ideal for contested or remote maritime zones. It can dive to depths of up to 6000 meters, carry out missions lasting dozens of hours, and deliver centimeter-level resolution data, even in low-visibility or high-current conditions. These features make it a critical tool for both military and civilian applications, particularly in undersea warfare, seabed mapping, mine countermeasures, infrastructure inspection, and scientific research.

On the international stage, the importance of systems like HUGIN has grown substantially due to the increasing geopolitical relevance of the undersea domain. Nations are investing heavily in capabilities that secure their maritime interests, protect undersea infrastructure such as communication cables and pipelines, and detect threats like naval mines and hostile submersibles. The ability to operate discreetly and efficiently below the surface offers strategic advantages in surveillance, deterrence, and situational awareness.

Twelve navies around the world currently operate HUGIN systems, reflecting its reliability and effectiveness in real-world missions. Its integration into naval operations enhances Intelligence Preparation of the Operational Environment, enabling forces to collect detailed seabed data and monitor maritime terrain before deploying surface or subsurface units. Furthermore, as global focus intensifies on the Arctic, South China Sea, and other sensitive maritime zones, AUVs like HUGIN are pivotal in maintaining strategic undersea dominance, securing maritime routes, and supporting multi-domain operations.

In the United States, Kongsberg Discovery U.S. (formerly Kongsberg Underwater Technology LLC) has been a critical player since 1989, supplying sonar equipment for oceanographic missions across the U.S. government and academic sectors. The company supports sonar systems aboard more than 30 vessels, including the T-AGS 60 class and T-ARC platforms, and has delivered uncrewed platform solutions for national security missions. With this new U.S.-based production line, Kongsberg Discovery not only expands its industrial footprint but also reinforces its long-term commitment to enhancing American undersea warfare capabilities through cutting-edge autonomous solutions.