KONGSBERG completes Sonatech acquisition

KONGSBERG has finalized the acquisition of Sonatech, a leading underwater acoustics specialist. This acquisition bolsters KONGSBERG's growth objectives in the United States and reinforces its commitment to the US Navy. Sonatech, a California-based company, boasts over five decades of experience as a key supplier to the US Navy in undersea acoustics engineering and manufacturing.

Eirik Lie, President and CEO of KONGSBERG, emphasized the importance of maritime domain awareness in today's rapidly evolving security landscape. The acquisition enhances KONGSBERG's standing as a US Navy partner and opens up fresh growth prospects in the US market. Sonatech's technology portfolio and expertise complement KONGSBERG's offerings, resulting in an expanded range of systems and products available to the US.

KONGSBERG's expertise encompasses acoustic sensors, advanced navigation and positioning technology, autonomous systems, and advanced signal processing. Their autonomous underwater solutions consist of the HUGIN family of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), which facilitate covert seabed intelligence gathering and can carry customized payloads for various mission profiles.

These modern unmanned underwater and surface vehicles assist in missions such as mine countermeasures, underwater operations, harbor defense, and safeguarding critical undersea infrastructure.

Camilla Kiss, Executive Vice President and President of KONGSBERG's Discovery division, highlighted the HUGIN AUV family's diverse capabilities, ranging from shallow to deep water operations, endurance durations from a few days to weeks, and sensor resolutions from high-quality surveys to specialized defense versions. She further stated that KONGSBERG's technology aligns seamlessly with Sonatech's capabilities, providing the US Navy with access to state-of-the-art products, systems, and solutions.

Sonatech has been a crucial supplier to the US Navy, offering advanced sonar and underwater communication solutions, as well as expertise in technical design, development, and manufacturing. KONGSBERG has now acquired a 100% stake in Sonatech, with the transaction value remaining undisclosed.