KONGSBERG Delivers First HUGIN Unmanned Underwater Vehicle to US Navy – SOFREP News Team

KONGSBERG has reached a major milestone in its partnership with the US Navy, successfully completing the acceptance testing and delivery of the first HUGIN Superior Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV).

Remarkably, this achievement comes just one year after KONGSBERG was awarded a 24-month frame contract by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) for the Navy’s Large Diameter Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (LDUUV) program.

This swift progression highlights both the company’s technological capabilities and the DIU’s commitment to accelerating the adoption of cutting-edge commercial technologies for national security.

Acceptance Testing and Delivery in Record Time

The HUGIN Superior AUV underwent rigorous acceptance testing in early 2025 at KONGSBERG’s facility in Norway, where it passed all required assessments and demonstrated its full operational capability.

The testing phase ensured that the AUV met all specifications and was ready for deployment, which will now enable the US Navy to enhance its undersea capabilities for a variety of critical missions, including subsea and seabed warfare, mine countermeasures, and inspection of undersea infrastructure.

KONGSBERG’s swift completion of the HUGIN Superior AUV and its successful testing stands as a testament to the efficient, collaborative effort between the company and the DIU.

The Defense Innovation Unit had performed a rigorous technology assessment of the HUGIN AUV system last year, which led to the successful order and delivery in record time. By cutting through typical acquisition delays, the DIU’s fast-tracked process highlights the Navy’s urgent need for reliable unmanned systems to operate in contested undersea environments.

A Powerful Asset for the US Navy

The HUGIN Superior AUV is not just another underwater vehicle; it represents a highly capable, proven system that enhances the Navy’s ability to carry out complex undersea operations.

The vehicle, which has been in service for both commercial and military use since 2019, offers unmatched reliability and operational capability.

With a full ocean depth design, the HUGIN Superior boasts an impressive endurance of over 70 hours, a navigational accuracy of less than 0.04 percent of the distance traveled, and is equipped with advanced sensors capable of providing high-quality data without modification.

The system’s capabilities include Intelligence Preparation of the Operational Environment (IPoE), mine countermeasures (MCM), and critical infrastructure inspection.

KONGSBERG has ensured that the HUGIN Superior AUV can operate seamlessly in deep-sea conditions, making it ideal for maritime security operations in contested waters, especially in the Pacific and other high-priority regions.

Moreover, the HUGIN Superior is equipped with the latest KONGSBERG technologies, including synthetic aperture sonar (HISAS) and multi-beam sonar systems, which further enhance its ability to detect and map underwater targets.

The integration of KONGSBERG’s advanced autonomy, navigation, and battery technology ensures that the AUV can conduct long-duration missions with minimal supervision, reducing the need for additional support vessels and lowering the environmental footprint of undersea operations.

KONGSBERG’s Legacy of Innovation

KONGSBERG’s involvement in underwater systems dates back to 1993 with the first HUGIN vehicle dive. Since then, the company has developed and refined the HUGIN platform into the gold standard for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles.

The HUGIN AUV systems are tightly integrated with KONGSBERG’s own acoustic sensors, autonomy systems, and power technology, producing some of the most reliable and advanced underwater vehicles on the market.

The HUGIN Endurance, a variant of the platform, recently completed a record-breaking multi-week mission, further cementing KONGSBERG’s reputation for cutting-edge innovation.

The successful completion of the HUGIN Superior’s acceptance testing and delivery underscores the company’s continued commitment to providing top-tier autonomous systems for military and commercial clients alike.

A Fast-Tracking Success Story

The completion of this project in just one year underscores the efficiency of the DIU’s process and the growing demand for unmanned systems in military operations.

The US Navy is increasingly relying on unmanned technologies to enhance its operational capabilities in the undersea domain, where traditional manned platforms often face limitations.

The HUGIN Superior AUV provides the Navy with a cost-effective, flexible, and highly capable solution for a wide range of critical missions.

Rich Patterson, Vice President of Sales for KONGSBERG’s Uncrewed Platforms Division, expressed his excitement about the continued collaboration with the US Navy.

“We are thrilled to expand our relationship with the US Navy and provide the cutting-edge capabilities that come standard with our HUGIN Superior AUV system,” Patterson said. “We applaud the DIU team for enabling this transfer of capability to the warfighter at an accelerated pace and look forward to valuable operator feedback and continued partnership to further evolve our product line.”

As the US Navy continues to focus on expanding its unmanned underwater capabilities, the HUGIN Superior AUV is poised to play a key role in a variety of operational scenarios. The system’s proven ability to perform complex, high-stakes missions with minimal human oversight makes it an invaluable asset for the future of naval operations.

The successful delivery and testing of the HUGIN Superior also set the stage for further advancements in autonomous undersea technology. With strong demand from military customers worldwide, KONGSBERG is well-positioned to lead the charge in unmanned underwater vehicle development, ensuring that the Navy and other defense forces have access to the best tools for modern warfare.