At the Defense Conference in Trondheim this week, the announcement of the new purchase was held by NTNU’s Rector and the Minister of Defense. They announced that the Norwegian Centre for Ocean Technology is purchasing a “HUGIN 6000” from KONGSBERG.
Highlighting Advanced Technology
Minister of Defense Tore O. Sandvik emphasized that Norway is at its strongest where conditions are salty, wet and cold, and where critical deep-water infrastructure plays a vital role in both Norway’s export revenues and Europe’s energy security.
“Norway is a world leader in maritime research and ocean autonomy. HUGIN is the result of long-term technology collaboration between the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment and Kongsberg, and a strong example of Norwegian high-tech success. Dual-use technology strengthens defense capability. When civilian and military technology development advance together, we build national expertise that enables faster development and innovation,” he said.
The HUGIN drone can dive to 6,000 meters, covering all Norwegian territorial waters. It can map two to four square kilometers of seabed per hour, has a high-resolution camera, and can operate for three days without recharging.
Considered the world’s leading autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), it can help improve ocean understanding and strengthen defense capabilities in uncertain times. NTNU will further develop the drone.
Longstanding Relationship with NTNU
EVP and CTO in KONGSBERG, Arne Rinnan, said that HUGIN was created in collaboration with the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment 35 years ago.
“HUGIN is the autonomous underwater robot that can go far and deep, and that you can expect to return when it has done its job. It has a reliability, robustness, and ability to observe things on the seabed and in the water column that no one else can match,” said Rinnan.
He said that KONGSBERG looks forward to many years of collaboration with NTNU.
“I am pleased that researchers at the Norwegian Centre for Ocean Technology will be involved in further developing this technology. This will probably be the largest investment in the Fjordlab part of the centre,” said the Minister of Defense.
NTNU is the largest university in Norway, specializing within science and technology. The university was established in 1910.
Expanding Research Opportunities
The purchase of HUGIN will be part of the Norwegian Centre for Ocean Technology’s offshore equipment fleet. According to the Rector of NTNU, Tor Grande this centre is important for Norway to be able to assert itself as a high-tech maritime nation.
“With HUGIN, the academic communities get an advanced underwater drone that provides great opportunities to explore and understand the ocean better. For us as, a leading university, the purchase of HUGIN is also an important piece in further developing autonomous vessels, which can, among other things, secure oil and gas pipelines, as well as internet and power cables on the seabed,” said Grande.
