Kongsberg successfully completes factory trials of Hugin Endurance AUV.

According to information published by Kongsberg on April 24, 2024, the firm has successfully concluded factory acceptance testing for the inaugural production model of the HUGIN Endurance, an innovative long-range Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV).
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Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) HUGIN Endurance. (Picture source: Kongsberg)

Initiated in September 2023, the extensive sea trials have rigorously tested and refined the AUV's capabilities, culminating in March 2024 with a demonstration to the client. The HUGIN Endurance has sparked considerable interest from both defense and commercial sectors, offering versatile payload capabilities suitable for a range of applications, from seabed mapping and oceanographic research to surveillance and environmental monitoring.

As the largest model in the HUGIN family, launched in 2021, the HUGIN Endurance is equipped with an array of sophisticated sensors, including high-resolution sonar, echo sounders, and environmental monitoring instruments. The AUV is capable of autonomous operation, with a battery life supporting up to 15 days at sea and a range of up to 2200 kilometers.

Hugin Family AUVs

The Hugin family of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), developed by Norwegian company Kongsberg Maritime, represents a leading line of subsea robots designed for various depths and complex underwater tasks.

The Hugin AUVs have been continuously evolving since their inception in the 1990s, with the first commercial survey conducted in 1997. Over the years, these AUVs have been enhanced through technological upgrades to include a range of models suited to different operational requirements and environmental conditions.

Key models in the Hugin family include the Hugin 1000, Hugin 3000, Hugin 4500, and the latest Hugin Endurance and Hugin Superior. These models vary in depth capabilities, endurance, and sensor technologies, making them adaptable for diverse applications such as geophysical surveys, mine countermeasures, environmental monitoring, and military reconnaissance.

For example, the Hugin Superior is capable of operating at depths up to 6,000 meters and is equipped with high-resolution synthetic aperture sonar for detailed seabed imaging. It was introduced to enhance data quality and increase operational range for various underwater missions​​.

Countries known to be clients of the Hugin AUVs include the United States, Norway, India, Italy and the United Kingdom.