Press release -
New multipurpose Sounder USV from KONGSBERG unwrapped at Ocean Business 2019
- Kongsberg Maritime Ocean Business 2019 Press Kit: 1 of 5
- State-of-the-art multipurpose Unmanned Surface Vehicle platform provides flexibility for diverse data acquisition applications
Southampton, UK, 9th April 2019 – Kongsberg Maritime is proud to unveil a brand-new Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) during Ocean Business 2019 this week. The Sounder USV System is a uniquely versatile solution designed and built to provide the highest possible standard of data acquisition.
With the introduction of the Sounder USV System, KONGSBERG strengthens its presence in the expanding market for unmanned vessels capable of carrying out a broad range of tasks. The new USV makes best use of state-of-the-art technology derived from an extensive knowledge base, providing the flexibility to operate in various diverse scenarios.
The Sounder USV System is a multipurpose platform designed to work across different market segments, including survey and fishery duties. It has been developed as a joint venture with Norsafe AS, chosen by KONGSBERG as the project partner for its years of experience in constructing tough and durable craft for use in extreme environments.
As a brand-new platform, the Sounder USV has been configured from the keel upwards to deliver optimal hydroacoustic data quality, efficiency and productivity. Operation of the USV is managed by KONGSBERG’s K-MATE autonomous surface vehicle control system: capable of following survey patterns, autonomously following AUVs or simply tracking a mothership, the K-MATE system has been developed in partnership with FFI, the Defence Research Establishment in Norway. It provides autonomous, supervised and direct control capabilities that are compliant with the latest safety regulations and operational guidance in the USV industry.
Key to the Sounder USV System’s appeal is the fact that it can be put to work with equal effectiveness across a range of applications to suit the requirements of specific market sectors. It can be equipped with a wide selection of Simrad sensors including SX90 and ES80 fishery sonars as well as KONGSBERG EM2040 multibeam echosounders for mapping and HiPAP positioning and communications systems for LBL (long baseline) and AUV (autonomous underwater vehicle) support. Other sensors can also be integrated, while rapid payload change can be effected as both the moon pool in the base of the hull and the 19” rack hardware are removable.
The Sounder USV System is compatible with launch and recovery systems, making operation from ship or shore brisk and straightforward. With an endurance of up to 20 days at 4 knots, it enables increased productivity at a lower cost: and a worldwide support network provides owners and operators with additional peace of mind.
“More and more businesses, from many categories within the maritime industry, are starting to see the vast and comparatively untapped potential of USVs as a means of autonomously and cost-effectively harvesting enormous quantities of high-quality data,” said Stene Førsund, VP Subsea Sales, Kongsberg Maritime, “and with the highly adaptable Sounder USV System we’re poised to make the widespread availability of top-end data acquisition technology into an affordable and user-friendly reality.”
KONGSBERG is displaying a replica of the Sounder USV System on its stand (N1) at Ocean Business 2019, at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, 9-11 April 2019. Staff will be on hand to answer any questions on the Sounder USV System as well as Kongsberg Maritime’s other new entry to the sector, the GeoPulse USV.
More information on Kongsberg Maritime’s unmanned survey systems can be found on its new, dedicated website: www.unmanned-survey.com
Ends
For further information, please contact:
Gunvor Hatling Midtbø, VP Communication
Kongsberg Maritime
Tel: +47 9921 4209
gunvor.hatling.midtbo@km.kongsberg.com
Saul Trewern
Saltwater Stone
Tel: +44 (0)1202 669244
s.trewern@saltwater-stone.com
About Kongsberg Maritime
Kongsberg Maritime is a global marine technology company providing innovative and reliable ‘Full Picture’ technology solutions for all marine industry sectors including merchant, offshore, cruise, subsea and naval. Headquartered in Kongsberg, Norway, Kongsberg Maritime has manufacturing, sales and service facilities in 34 countries.
Kongsberg Maritime solutions cover all aspects of marine automation, safety, manoeuvring, navigation, and dynamic positioning as well as energy management, deck handling and propulsion systems, and ship design services. Subsea solutions include single and multibeam echo sounders, sonars, AUV and USV, underwater navigation and communication systems.
Training courses at locations globally, LNG solutions, information management, position reference systems and technology for seismic and drilling operations are also part of the company’s diverse technology portfolio. Additionally, Kongsberg Maritime provides services within EIT (Electro, Instrument & Telecom) engineering and system integration, on an EPC (Engineering, Procurement & Construction) basis.
Kongsberg Maritime is part of Kongsberg Gruppen (KONGSBERG), an international, knowledge-based group that celebrated 200 years in business during 2014. KONGSBERG supplies high-technology systems and solutions to customers in the oil and gas industry, the merchant marine, and the defence and aerospace industries.
Web: Kongsberg Gruppen | Kongsberg Maritime
Social media: LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook
About Norsafe
Norsafe is a market leader in the offshore industry and has developed solutions that define the standard for offshore free-fall lifeboat systems. The company offers an extensive product portfolio for offshore applications including a ground-breaking range of electrical free-fall lifeboats.
Since 1903, Norsafe has produced more than 28,000 lifeboats and uses its expertise in safety at sea to offer the widest range of conventional and freefall lifeboats, fast rescue boats and davits in the market today. All of Norsafe’s products comply with SOLAS and industry regulations.
Norsafe is focused on providing reliability in case of emergency and keeping LSA fully operational throughout its lifetime. Its global service network of 45 service partners is spread across all continents and operates from over 300 ports worldwide, providing 24/7 service throughout the entire lifetime of the equipment. This ensures operational safety and readiness at all times, and compliance with the latest industry regulations. Norsafe is also passionate about crew training, offering a wide range of courses through Norsafe Academy training centres in Rosendal, Norway and Port of Lavrion, Greece. Norsafe is headquartered in Arendal, Norway and has manufacturing facilities in Norway, China and Greece.
