Kongsberg Discovery

Corporate brand

Kongsberg Discovery is Kongsberg’s marine-technology business focused on ocean robotics, underwater sensing, sonar, navigation, seafloor mapping and marine monitoring.

Last updated October 17, 2026

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Overview

Kongsberg Discovery is the marine-technology business of Norwegian industrial group Kongsberg Gruppen. The business develops and supplies systems for observing, mapping, navigating and operating in the ocean, with a portfolio spanning autonomous underwater vehicles, uncrewed surface vessels, sonar, multibeam echo sounders, synthetic-aperture sonar, navigation and positioning systems, marine sensors, fish-finding equipment, ocean-science instruments, surveillance systems and software for subsea data interpretation. The business area was established as a separate Kongsberg business area on 1 January 2023, having previously operated principally as the Sensor & Robotics division within Kongsberg Maritime. Its creation gave the marine-sensing and robotics activities a more distinct commercial identity and enabled closer concentration on ocean science, fisheries, offshore energy, marine operations, seabed mapping, infrastructure monitoring and selected defence-related applications. The business retained strong technical links with Kongsberg Maritime and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace while serving civilian and dual-use markets internationally. Kongsberg Discovery is headquartered in Horten, Norway, a longstanding centre for Kongsberg’s maritime and marine-electronics activities. Other Norwegian locations include Trondheim, Oslo and Bergen, while international operations and offices have been reported in Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia and Brazil. The company also uses distributors and partners to reach customers in more than 100 countries. Its customer base includes offshore survey contractors, navies, fisheries, research institutions, oceanographic organisations, energy companies, port and infrastructure operators, and manufacturers of marine platforms. The brand’s best-known technology family is HUGIN, a range of autonomous underwater vehicles developed with the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment. HUGIN vehicles combine autonomous navigation with modular payloads such as synthetic-aperture sonar, multibeam echo sounders, cameras, sub-bottom profilers and environmental sensors. The platform has been used for commercial survey, seabed mapping, subsea inspection, mine-countermeasure missions, rapid environmental assessment and marine research. Kongsberg Discovery also markets EM-series multibeam echo sounders, HISAS synthetic-aperture sonar, inertial-navigation products, hydroacoustic systems, autonomous and uncrewed surface platforms, and the SIMRAD professional fish-finding line. The company has continued to broaden its sensor and analytics portfolio. In 2025 it acquired selected electromagnetic-sensing technologies and personnel from the bankruptcy estate of Argeo, including the technologies formerly known as Argeo Whisper, Argeo Listen and Argeo Scope. These capabilities were subsequently incorporated into the Kongsberg portfolio, including the Kongsberg Listen electromagnetic-sensing system and enhancements to the Blue Insight analytics environment. Leadership changed during 2025 as Martin Wien Fjell moved toward a future group-level chief financial officer role associated with Kongsberg’s planned corporate reorganisation. Camilla Kiss was appointed Acting President of Kongsberg Discovery in November 2025 and was subsequently identified by Kongsberg as the leader of the Discovery division. Kongsberg’s later organisational structure combined the former Kongsberg Discovery business area with space and surveillance activities in a broader Discovery division. The marine technology activities nevertheless remain active under the Kongsberg Discovery identity and product portfolio.

History

Kongsberg Discovery emerged from a long development history in Norwegian marine electronics, sonar, navigation and underwater robotics. Its immediate organisational predecessor was the Sensor & Robotics division within Kongsberg Maritime, but many of the technologies associated with the modern brand have roots extending back several decades through Kongsberg’s work in hydroacoustics, inertial navigation, marine instrumentation and autonomous vehicles. A central part of that history is the HUGIN autonomous underwater vehicle programme. Development began in 1991 through cooperation between Kongsberg and the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment. The programme combined Norwegian research expertise with Kongsberg’s industrial capabilities in navigation, sonar, control systems and marine operations. HUGIN completed its first commercial survey in 1997 and subsequently evolved into a family of configurable autonomous underwater vehicles for commercial survey, marine science and defence missions. Over time, the vehicles gained support for increasingly sophisticated payloads, including multibeam echo sounders, synthetic-aperture sonar, cameras, sub-bottom profilers, environmental instruments and inertial-navigation systems. The HUGIN programme helped establish Kongsberg as a major supplier of autonomous subsea-survey technology. The vehicle family was designed to operate from dedicated survey vessels, vessels of opportunity or shore-based facilities. Containerised launch, recovery and control arrangements gave customers flexibility in mobilising the system. HUGIN variants were developed for different operating depths and mission profiles, including commercial geophysical survey, seabed mapping, subsea infrastructure inspection, mine countermeasures, route survey and rapid environmental assessment. Alongside underwater robotics, Kongsberg built a broad marine-sensing portfolio. The EM series of multibeam echo sounders became an important part of the company’s seafloor-mapping business, while HISAS synthetic-aperture sonar supplied high-resolution subsea imagery. Kongsberg also developed inertial navigation, acoustic positioning, communication and environmental-sensing products. The SIMRAD name, inherited from Kongsberg’s maritime technology activities, extended the portfolio into professional fisheries electronics, fish-finding sonar, transducers and related monitoring equipment. On 1 January 2023, Kongsberg established Kongsberg Discovery as a separate business area. The move separated the Sensor & Robotics activities from Kongsberg Maritime and gave the combined portfolio a clearer identity around marine discovery, sensing, robotics and ocean intelligence. At launch, the business area had more than 1,000 employees distributed across Norwegian centres including Horten, Trondheim and Oslo, as well as international offices in Europe, North America and Asia. Its stated opportunity areas included fisheries, marine research, marine operations, ocean-based energy production and monitoring of subsea infrastructure. The new structure also reflected the changing role of marine technology. Autonomous and uncrewed platforms could reduce the cost and risk of survey work, while advances in sonar, positioning and software allowed customers to gather more detailed data in a single mission. Kongsberg Discovery therefore positioned itself not only as a hardware supplier but also as an integrated provider of platforms, sensors, autonomy, data processing and operational support. In 2025, Kongsberg Discovery expanded into electromagnetic sensing and subsea analytics through an agreement with the bankruptcy estate of Argeo. The acquired technologies, formerly marketed as Argeo Whisper, Argeo Listen and Argeo Scope, added active and passive electromagnetic detection capabilities and analytical tools for interpreting complex underwater environments. Kongsberg subsequently integrated the technology into its portfolio, renamed the electromagnetic-sensing product Kongsberg Listen and connected the analytics capability with its Blue Insight environment. Leadership and corporate structure changed again in late 2025 and 2026. Martin Wien Fjell, who had led Kongsberg Discovery, accepted a future group-level chief financial officer role associated with Kongsberg’s planned reorganisation. Camilla Kiss, previously responsible for finance within Discovery, became Acting President in November 2025 and was later identified as leader of the broader Discovery division. Kongsberg subsequently described the Discovery division as combining the former Kongsberg Discovery activities with space and surveillance capabilities. This organisational change broadened the division’s scope while preserving the marine technology portfolio and its established product identity. Product development continued through 2026. HISAS2020 was released as a platform-agnostic synthetic-aperture sonar rather than being limited to integrated HUGIN payloads. New EM2042 variants targeted deep-rated subsea platforms and naval missions. Kongsberg Listen received hardware and software upgrades and secured an initial commercial order from DOF for a HUGIN system intended for Brazilian deepwater operations. In the fisheries segment, SIMRAD SY60 extended Kongsberg’s professional sportfishing sonar range. These developments demonstrate the brand’s continuing strategy of combining established technologies with new sensing modalities, autonomous platforms and software-enabled interpretation.

2026
HISAS2020 becomes platform-agnostic
[8]Proven synthetic aperture sonar now available beyond integrated systemskongsberg.com
The fourth-generation HISAS2020 synthetic-aperture sonar is launched for use across a wider range of underwater and surface platforms.
2026
Kongsberg Listen commercialised
[9]Major upgrade sets new standards in electromagnetic sensingkongsberg.com
The upgraded electromagnetic-sensing system formerly known as Argeo Listen is launched as Kongsberg Listen.
2025
Selected Argeo technologies acquired
[7]Accelerating innovation by acquisitionkongsberg.com
Kongsberg Discovery acquires electromagnetic-sensing and subsea-analytics technologies from Argeo’s bankruptcy estate.
2025
Camilla Kiss appointed Acting President
[6]Camilla Kiss appointed Acting President of Kongsberg Discoverykongsberg.com
Camilla Kiss takes over operational leadership of Kongsberg Discovery during a wider Kongsberg leadership and structural transition.
2023
Kongsberg Discovery becomes a separate business area
[3]Kongsberg annual and sustainability report 2023kongsberg.com
Kongsberg Discovery is established on 1 January 2023 from the former Sensor & Robotics division of Kongsberg Maritime.
1997
First commercial HUGIN survey
[4]HUGIN autonomous underwater vehiclekongsberg.com
The HUGIN programme completes its first commercial survey, establishing a foundation for later commercial autonomous subsea operations.
1991
HUGIN development begins
[4]HUGIN autonomous underwater vehiclekongsberg.com
Kongsberg and the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment begin development of the HUGIN autonomous underwater vehicle programme.

Products and positioning

A high-end marine technology and ocean-intelligence provider combining autonomous platforms, hydroacoustic sensing, navigation, marine robotics and software for commercial, scientific, infrastructure, fisheries and selected defence applications.

Autonomous underwater vehicles · 1997
HUGIN
HUGIN is a family of autonomous underwater vehicles for commercial survey, marine research, defence and subsea inspection. The vehicles can carry modular payloads including synthetic-aperture sonar, multibeam echo sounders, cameras, lasers, sub-bottom profilers, environmental sensors and current profilers. HUGIN systems support autonomous, semi-autonomous and operator-supervised operations and are available in configurations rated for approximately 3,000, 4,500 and 6,000 metres of water depth. The platform is designed for deployment from dedicated survey vessels, vessels of opportunity or shore-based systems.
Synthetic-aperture sonar · 2026
HISAS
HISAS is Kongsberg Discovery’s high-resolution synthetic-aperture sonar technology. It was developed and field-proven as an integrated payload for HUGIN AUVs, where it supported detailed imaging of the seabed and subsea objects. HISAS2020 expanded the product into a platform-agnostic solution for AUVs, USVs, ROVs and towed systems. The product is intended for applications including geophysical survey, infrastructure inspection, marine research and defence-related underwater awareness.
Seafloor mapping sonar
EM-series multibeam echo sounders
The EM family comprises multibeam echo sounders used for bathymetric mapping, seabed characterisation, environmental assessment, infrastructure inspection and naval missions. The portfolio includes systems for surface vessels and variants designed for deep-rated subsea vehicles. In 2026 Kongsberg introduced EM2042 DR600 for deepwater platforms and EM2042 BNS for naval operations, extending the EM2042 architecture into additional operating environments.
Electromagnetic underwater sensing · 2026
Kongsberg Listen
Kongsberg Listen is a platform-agnostic electromagnetic-sensing system derived from technology acquired from Argeo. The system is intended to support inspection, survey and interpretation in complex underwater environments across ocean science, defence, energy and minerals. Kongsberg upgraded the acquired hardware and software and integrated the technology with its wider subsea portfolio and analytics capabilities.
Marine data and analytics software
Blue Insight
Blue Insight is Kongsberg’s environment for subsea dataflow, visualisation and analytical interpretation. The platform is used to help transform data from marine sensors and autonomous systems into operational information. The portfolio was strengthened through the integration of Argeo Scope technology acquired in 2025.
Fisheries electronics
SIMRAD professional fish-finding systems
SIMRAD professional fish-finding equipment includes sonars, echo sounders, transducers and gear-monitoring instruments used by commercial and professional fishing operators. The product line is part of Kongsberg Discovery’s marine-life and fisheries technology portfolio. In 2026 the company introduced the SY60 omnidirectional sportfishing sonar as a higher-performance generation built on the SIMRAD SY50 platform.
Sub-bottom profiler
TOPAS PS120
TOPAS PS120 is a parametric sub-bottom profiler used for geological and geophysical investigation beneath the seabed. Kongsberg Discovery ceased production in September 2025 and placed the system into a maintenance period. Existing customers continued to receive support, spare parts and critical bug fixes, but no new feature development was planned.

Marketing campaigns

2026HISAS2020 launch
Global
Kongsberg Discovery promoted the release of HISAS2020 as a standalone, platform-agnostic synthetic-aperture sonar at the Oceanology International exhibition in London.
Outcome. Expanded access to HISAS technology beyond integrated HUGIN systems and targeted broader commercial, scientific and defence markets.
Source
2026Kongsberg Listen commercial launch
Global
Kongsberg Discovery launched the upgraded Kongsberg Listen electromagnetic-sensing system and demonstrated its use in complex underwater inspection and survey environments.
Outcome. The technology subsequently received its first announced commercial order from DOF as part of a HUGIN AUV payload.
Source
2023Discovering the secrets of the ocean
Global
A corporate launch and positioning campaign introduced Kongsberg Discovery as a distinct Kongsberg business area and presented its portfolio across ocean robotics, marine sensors, fisheries, research, energy and infrastructure monitoring.
Outcome. Established the Discovery identity and communicated the business area’s international scope and growth priorities.
Source

Brand decisions

2026
Release HISAS2020 as a platform-agnostic productProduct launch
Background
HISAS had previously been available primarily as an integrated payload within the HUGIN AUV family, while customers increasingly sought high-resolution subsea imaging across different platforms.
Action taken
Kongsberg Discovery launched HISAS2020 for use on AUVs, USVs, ROVs and towed systems.
Aftermath
The launch broadened the addressable market for Kongsberg’s synthetic-aperture sonar technology while retaining the operational heritage of HUGIN deployments.
Source
2025
Acquire selected Argeo technologies from its bankruptcy estateM&A
Background
Kongsberg Discovery sought to expand its capabilities in electromagnetic detection and underwater data interpretation.
Action taken
The company agreed to acquire Argeo Whisper, Argeo Listen and Argeo Scope, together with relevant personnel, from Argeo’s bankruptcy estate.
Aftermath
The technologies were integrated into Kongsberg Discovery’s portfolio, contributing to Kongsberg Listen and further development of Blue Insight analytics.
Source
2025
Change Discovery leadership during Kongsberg reorganisationStrategy
Background
Martin Wien Fjell accepted a future Kongsberg group chief financial officer role connected with the planned demerger and reorganisation of Kongsberg businesses.
Action taken
Camilla Kiss was appointed Acting President of Kongsberg Discovery in November 2025.
Aftermath
The leadership transition was presented as a continuity measure, while Kongsberg later organised the former business area within a broader Discovery division combining marine, space and surveillance capabilities.
Source
2025
Place TOPAS PS120 into maintenance statusGeneration change
Background
Kongsberg Discovery determined that the TOPAS PS120 product had reached the end of its production and development cycle.
Action taken
Production ended in September 2025 and the system entered a maintenance period with continued support, parts availability and critical bug fixes.
Aftermath
No direct replacement or new feature development was announced for the PS120, although existing service commitments remained supported.
Source
2023
Create Kongsberg Discovery as a separate business areaStrategy
Background
Kongsberg’s Sensor & Robotics activities had previously been organised within Kongsberg Maritime. The group identified a need for a clearer focus on marine sensing, autonomous systems, ocean science and related international markets.
Action taken
Kongsberg established Kongsberg Discovery as a separate business area on 1 January 2023.
Aftermath
The new structure gave the portfolio a distinct commercial identity and brought together ocean robotics, marine sensors, navigation, mapping, fisheries technology and monitoring activities.
Source

Recent events

2026
HISAS2020 launched as a platform-agnostic synthetic-aperture sonar[8]Proven synthetic aperture sonar now available beyond integrated systemskongsberg.com
Product launch · Product generation
Kongsberg Discovery made its HISAS2020 synthetic-aperture sonar available beyond integrated HUGIN payloads, allowing deployment on relevant AUVs, USVs, ROVs and towed platforms.
2026
Kongsberg upgrades Listen electromagnetic sensing[9]Major upgrade sets new standards in electromagnetic sensingkongsberg.com
Product launch · Product generation
The former Argeo Listen system was upgraded and relaunched as Kongsberg Listen with new hardware, software, data-processing and visualisation capabilities for underwater inspection, survey, energy, minerals and defence applications.
2026
DOF places first commercial order for Kongsberg Listen[11]Kongsberg Listen scores commercial breakthrough with DOF HUGIN orderkongsberg.com
Product launch · Other
DOF selected Kongsberg Listen for integration into a new HUGIN AUV together with EM2042 multibeam and HISAS synthetic-aperture sonar for deepwater survey and inspection work in Brazil.
2026
New EM2042 variants launched for deepwater and naval missions[10]New EM2042 variants strengthen multibeam capabilitieskongsberg.com
Product launch · Product generation
Kongsberg Discovery introduced EM2042 DR600 for deep-rated subsea vehicles and EM2042 BNS for naval applications, extending the EM2042 multibeam platform into additional operating environments.
2026
SY60 sportfishing sonar introduced[12]Introducing the SY60 sportfishing sonarkongsberg.com
Product launch · Product generation
Kongsberg launched the SIMRAD SY60, a next-generation omnidirectional sportfishing sonar positioned as a higher-performance successor to the SY50.
2025
Kongsberg Discovery acquires selected Argeo technologies[7]Accelerating innovation by acquisitionkongsberg.com
M&A · Bankruptcy
Kongsberg Discovery agreed to acquire Argeo Whisper, Argeo Listen and Argeo Scope, together with relevant personnel, from Argeo’s bankruptcy estate. The transaction expanded Kongsberg’s electromagnetic-sensing and subsea-analytics capabilities.
2025
Camilla Kiss appointed Acting President of Kongsberg Discovery[6]Camilla Kiss appointed Acting President of Kongsberg Discoverykongsberg.com
Leadership change · strategy
Camilla Kiss took over as Acting President while Martin Wien Fjell prepared to move into a future group chief financial officer role connected with Kongsberg’s planned reorganisation.
2025
TOPAS PS120 enters maintenance period[13]TOPAS PS120 maintenance periodkongsberg.com
Product generation · Other
Kongsberg Discovery ceased production of the TOPAS PS120 in September 2025. Support, spare parts and critical software fixes continued under a maintenance programme, with no future feature development planned.
2023
Kongsberg Discovery established as a separate business area[3]Kongsberg annual and sustainability report 2023kongsberg.com
Other · Leadership change
Kongsberg separated its former Sensor & Robotics activities from Kongsberg Maritime and established Kongsberg Discovery as a distinct business area focused on marine technology, sensors and robotics.
2023
Kongsberg Discovery presents its global ocean-technology business[5]Kongsberg Discovery organisational announcementkongsberg.com
Other
Kongsberg described the new business area as having more than 1,000 employees and international operations serving fisheries, marine research, marine operations, ocean energy and infrastructure-monitoring markets.

Sources14 sources

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