The Royal Norwegian Navy is getting a mine countermeasure capability boost with a new set of autonomous underwater vehicles.
Contracted by the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA), Kongsberg Maritime is to deliver four complete Hugin AUV systems for detection, classification and identification of mines.
The AUV’s will have a depth rating of 3,000 meters, and will be equipped with advanced sensors for modern mine hunting. According to the company, the deliveries include systems for planning, execution and analysis of missions, and launch and recovery systems both for the Navy’s mine hunting vessels, as well as in mobile containers.
“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,” said Bård Øina , project manager at the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency
“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,” Egil Haugsdal , president at Kongsberg Maritime, noted.