Kongsberg Completes Sonatech Acquisition

Kongsberg has completed the acquisition of Sonatech, an underwater acoustics specialist. The acquisition supports Kongsberg’s growth ambitions in the US and strengthens the company’s position as a committed partner to the US Navy.

Sonatech is a California-based undersea acoustics engineering and manufacturing company with more than 50 years of experience and a long history as a key technology supplier to the US Navy.

Kongsberg’s expertise spans acoustic sensors, advanced navigation and positioning technology, autonomous systems and advanced signal processing. Its autonomous underwater solutions include the HUGIN family of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV). It enables covert seabed intelligence gathering and can carry customized payloads for different mission profiles.

Modern unmanned underwater and surface vehicles equipped with advanced sonar technologies are supporting missions including mine countermeasures, underwater operations, harbor defense and the protection of critical undersea infrastructure.

“The HUGIN family of AUV’s provides a wide range of capabilities. From shallow to deep water capabilities – from a few days to weeks of endurance and from high-quality survey with the highest-resolution sensors to special missionized versions for the defense market. Our technology aligns well with Sonatech’s capabilities and will give the US Navy access to cutting-edge products, systems and solutions,” said Camilla Kiss, Executive Vice President, Kongsberg and President of the Discovery division.

Kongsberg acquired 100 percent of Sonatech. The transaction value is undisclosed.