Kongsberg Discovery to Begin Production of HUGIN Autonomous Underwater Vehicle in the U.S.

Kongsberg Discovery has announced its decision to commence production of the HUGIN autonomous underwater vehicle in the United States. This strategic move highlights the company’s dedication to meeting the increasing demand for advanced subsea technology in the U.S. market.

“By establishing domestic production capabilities, we aim to strengthen our U.S.-based supply chain and improve our responsiveness to the evolving needs of our government and commercial customers, especially in light of rising global tensions,” stated Martin Wien Fjell, President of Kongsberg Discovery.

The company has already supplied HUGIN vehicles to the U.S. Navy and various other government, commercial, and academic entities. The decision to expand production in the U.S. stems from the growing demand within the defense sector and the U.S. Navy’s heightened recognition of the capabilities of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs).

“Our ongoing development efforts have resulted in systems that address a variety of high-priority naval requirements, prompting us to increase our investment in the United States,” explained Fjell.

Kongsberg Discovery plans to initiate HUGIN production at its existing facility in Lynnwood, Washington, with the location of the future production facility yet to be determined. Currently, HUGIN is utilized by 12 different navies for real-world missions such as Intelligence Preparation of the Operational Environment, Mine Counter Measure, Subsea and Seabed Warfare, and seafloor mapping operations.

The decision to produce HUGIN in the U.S. underscores Kongsberg Discovery’s commitment to meeting the growing demand for advanced subsea technology in the U.S. market and enhancing its support for government and commercial customers.