KONGSBERG launches Aegir SSA – a new family of sonars for Subsea Situational Awareness
Unveiled at ONS 2026 in Stavanger, the Aegir range represents a new generation of commercial sonar solutions developed to effectively address the increasing demand for situational awareness around ports, critical infrastructure, coastal areas, and offshore assets.
Leveraging over 80 years of sonar expertise, the Aegir system integrates high-performance acoustic technology with compact design, simplified integration, and scalable deployment options. This flexibility allows for usage on a range of platforms from small uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) and buoys to fixed installations and larger maritime vessels.
As part of the Aegir SSA concept, KONGSBERG is introducing an AI-powered virtual sonar operator service. This innovative service enables autonomous operation without the need for constant human oversight, allowing customization for specific missions based on the operational knowledge imparted by the customer’s own operators.
Addressing the need for underwater awareness
With the importance of maritime infrastructure for energy security, transportation, offshore operations, and national resilience, there is an urgent need for enhanced visibility beneath the waterline.
Unique challenges arise in ports, harbors, and coastal environments where high traffic density, shallow waters, drifting objects, and potential unauthorized activities create risks often undetected by traditional monitoring systems.
The Aegir family is engineered to provide operators with actionable underwater awareness, facilitating the detection, classification, and tracking of submerged objects and activities. This assists in supporting safer navigation and more informed decision-making across maritime operations.
“The underwater domain has become a critical operational environment for both commercial and government operators. With Aegir SSA, we are bringing KONGSBERG sonar expertise into a purpose-built product family designed to enhance security, safety, and operational awareness in demanding maritime environments,” stated Helge Andre Sundt, VP of Subsea Awareness at KONGSBERG.
Proven technology in real operational settings
During the ONS event, attendees will have the opportunity to observe a live data feed from an operational Aegir SSA sonar installation located in the Oslofjord. This system is integrated with Fugro’s SEAWATCH® buoy platform linked to the Oslofjord Testbed, ensuring persistent offshore monitoring, real-time data delivery, and advanced subsea sensing to boost the protection of vital maritime infrastructure.
Collaboration driving innovation
Before its commercial rollout, KONGSBERG partnered with Fugro to implement Aegir SSA on a SEAWATCH® buoy connected to the Oslofjord Testbed. This collaboration showcases how fixed monitoring infrastructure can furnish ongoing protection for critical maritime assets.
“As the need to protect critical undersea infrastructure continues to grow, operators must rely on scalable monitoring solutions that ensure continuous situational awareness. By integrating KONGSBERG’s Aegir SSA sonar with Fugro’s established SEAWATCH® buoy platform, we offer a solution that consistently safeguards maritime assets while delivering actionable real-time intelligence for enhanced decision-making,” said Hompe Heijmerink, Fugro’s Director of Maritime Security and Surveillance for Europe and Africa.
Recent contract announcements
Earlier this year, KONGSBERG secured two significant contracts reflecting the escalating demand for integrated monitoring and protection of vital maritime infrastructure. One of these contracts involves the surveillance of Princess Elisabeth Island in the North Sea, which encompasses the provision of technologies such as drone detection radar and vessel traffic services. The other contract focuses on underwater surveillance and protection for an unnamed international client.
As part of KONGSBERG’s comprehensive portfolio, Aegir introduces a dedicated subsea layer for ongoing detection, classification, and tracking in and around port facilities, offshore assets, and additional critical maritime sites.
Source: Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (2026-08)
