Kongsberg appears to be strengthening its portfolio of autonomous underwater systems and sonar solutions for subsea surveillance and critical maritime infrastructure. Recent activities suggest a focus on integrating new acoustic technologies, unmanned vehicle support, and expanding market presence in the United States and Europe.
Public signals include successful sea trials of synthetic‑aperture sonar on the HUGIN Edge AUV, the acquisition of Sonatech to broaden U.S. underwater‑acoustics capabilities, a contract for an AUV hangar and launch‑and‑recovery system for a research vessel, and selection as an intended supplier of unmanned underwater systems for a subsea‑surveillance vessel in Denmark.
Kongsberg Maritime received a contract for an AUV hangar and launch‑and‑recovery system for a new Inkfish research vessel, supporting the HUGIN autonomous‑underwater‑operations platform.
Kongsberg reported that the HISAS2020 synthetic‑aperture sonar completed its first sea tests aboard the HUGIN Edge AUV, validating high‑resolution acoustic imaging.
The purchase of Sonatech adds a California‑based underwater‑acoustics business of over 100 employees, with approximately USD 33 million in 2024 revenue and decades of service to the U.S. Navy.
Kongsberg completed the acquisition of Sonatech, a California‑based underwater‑acoustics specialist with a long history as a technology supplier to the U.S. Navy.
Denmark selected Kongsberg Discovery and Saab Dynamics as intended suppliers of unmanned underwater systems for the subsea‑surveillance vessel Norwind Helm.
Kongsberg appears to be positioning itself for a broader engagement with German space programmes. The company is hiring for advanced satellite systems, evaluating a high‑volume satellite production site in Germany, and is actively involved in the Meridian satellite contract.
Public signals include announcements that Kongsberg NanoAvionics has activated the first Meridian communication payload in orbit, referencing a €122.5 million contract to build 280 satellites. A job posting for a Project Manager for Advanced Satellite Systems cites work in earth observation, maritime surveillance and secure communications. The company is also assessing a German location for high‑volume satellite production, with a backlog of over 300 satellites.
Kongsberg NanoAvionics confirmed two‑way communication with Meridian’s first customer‑link payload after launch, tied to a €122.5 million contract for 280 satellites.
Kongsberg posted a vacancy for a Project Manager for Advanced Satellite Systems, covering earth observation, maritime surveillance, secure communications and related facilities.
Kongsberg NanoAvionics and Meridian Space activated Meridian’s first communications payload in orbit after the SpaceX Transporter‑18 launch, referencing a €122.5 million contract for 280 satellites.
Kongsberg NanoAvionics’ first Meridian communication payload was activated in orbit, linked to a €122.5 million contract for 280 satellites and a move toward a production facility capable of hundreds of satellite buses annually.
Kongsberg is evaluating a German site for high‑volume satellite production, with a backlog of more than 300 satellites, indicating a shift toward an industrial footprint in Germany.
Expanding presence in Canada’s defence and space sectors
Kongsberg appears to be broadening its activities in Canada beyond single‑program sales, moving toward a multi‑domain defence and space presence that includes sovereign communications.
Public signals supporting this view include strategic agreements with Canadian space firms, including a memorandum of understanding with MDA Space and a letter of intent with Telesat, all indicating a growing industrial footprint within Canada’s defence ecosystem.
Kongsberg announced an expansion of its Canadian industrial presence across space and defence through a memorandum of understanding with MDA Space and a letter of intent with Telesat.
Kongsberg said it signed two strategic agreements with Canadian space companies during an official Norwegian prime ministerial visit to Ottawa, establishing partnerships to strengthen technical cooperation and sovereign communications capabilities.
Telesat confirmed Kongsberg Canada’s expansion across space and defence, including a letter of intent to evaluate integrating the Telesat Lightspeed LEO network into Kongsberg defence platforms.
Kongsberg appears to be assembling a broader portfolio that links underwater acoustic sensors, autonomous subsea systems and space‑based surveillance into a more unified offering. The move looks set to strengthen its capability to provide continuous situational awareness for maritime and defence customers.
Public signs include the completion of the Sonatech acquisition, the launch of the Aegir SSA sonar family with AI‑driven virtual operator, a live demonstration of Aegir SSA for critical underwater infrastructure, the selection of Kongsberg Discovery alongside Saab Dynamics for unmanned subsea systems on the Norwind Helm vessel, the provision of Integrated Mission Services by KSAT for the N3X satellite constellation, and plans to add three satellites to N3X in early 2027 to double the fleet.
Kongsberg completed the acquisition of Sonatech, a California‑based provider of underwater acoustics with long experience as a technology supplier to the US Navy.
Denmark's defence acquisition authority selected Kongsberg Discovery and Saab Dynamics as designated suppliers of unmanned underwater systems for the subsea‑surveillance vessel Norwind Helm.
KSAT reports that the company provides Integrated Mission Services for N3X, including satellite operations, mission planning, global ground‑station access, data processing and data delivery.
Kongsberg will add three satellites to the N3X constellation early in 2027, which will double the fleet to six satellites and improve near‑real‑time maritime coverage.
Kongsberg launched Aegir SSA, a new family of commercial sonars with AI‑supported virtual sonar operator for continuous underwater monitoring, detection, classification and tracking.
Kongsberg appears to be strengthening its focus on autonomous maritime defence systems, including unmanned surface vessels and autonomous underwater vehicles. Recent recruitment, contract wins and collaborations suggest a move toward a more market‑driven, partner‑centric approach.
Public signs include a new contract for an AUV hangar and launch‑and‑recovery system, recruitment for business development and market leadership roles, and demonstrations of new unmanned platforms.
Kongsberg Maritime secured a contract for an AUV hangar and launch‑and‑recovery system for a new research vessel, citing rising demand from research, marine and offshore customers for more autonomous underwater operations.
Kongsberg is recruiting a Manager Business Development in Emerging Business for the Vanguard system and next‑generation unmanned surface vessels, responsible for customers, partners, market opportunities and bid‑sale coordination.
Kongsberg is hiring a Vice President Market & Sales for BUAS, tasked with market strategy, business development, sales leadership and capture management across C4ISR, tactical ICT, aviation, security solutions, digital command and control, and cyber security.
Kongsberg showcased PROTECTOR RS4 on the SeaWolf unmanned maritime system and announced a collaboration with WB Group for a new generation of autonomous maritime platforms.
Paldo wrote this page from the public sources linked above. What a company appears to intend is our reading and may be wrong. If something is out of date, tell us.
