Top-Notch Autonomous Abilities Used for Mine Identification

Top-Notch Autonomous Abilities Used for Mine Identification

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Norway’s Kongsberg Maritime signed a $18.2 million contract with the country’s Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA) to deliver four complete HUGIN AUV systems  – Autonomous Underwater Vehicles – for detection, classification and identification of mines.

The vehicles will operate at great depths of around of 3,000 meters, and will be equipped with advanced sensors for modern mine hunting. 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, the company announced recently.

According to defenseworld.net, 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.

According to the company’s website, the HUGIN autonomous underwater vehicles are characterised by great maneuverability and high accuracy of stabilisation. Because the vehicles can function without tethers, cables, or remote control, they have a multitude of applications in oceanography, environmental monitoring, and underwater resource studies. A key element in the HUGIN concept is the application of a common technology that makes the systems adaptable for navy and commercial applications. Its modular design allows different payload configurations, depending on the customer needs.

The vehicle is equipped with an advanced battery technology with up to 100 hours endurance at 4 knots.

Egil Haugsdal, President at Kongsberg Maritime: ”We will also deliver training and maintenance. The Royal Norwegian Navy, the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment and KONGSBERG have worked on development and verification of AUV systems for mine hunting over many years. We look forward to continued collaboration”.