Kongsberg Maritime Unveils Arctic Hunter USV for the Royal Navy
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Kongsberg Maritime has unveiled the Arctic Hunter USV, a new class of uncrewed surface vessels designed for rapid integration and deployment within hybrid fleets. The Norwegian company adapted an existing commercial design, originally conceived to operate in the Arctic, to meet the British Royal Navy's Type 92 anti-submarine warfare (ASW) requirement.
Vessel characteristics
According to Navy Lookout, as cited by Marine Insight, the Arctic Hunter measures 56 metres and is built for missions of up to 60 days, operating from a forward support base within the Arctic Circle to reinforce the existing anti-submarine detection network. The fit-out includes a submarine-hunting sonar and secure military communications systems supplied by Thales UK, while payload capacity and deck space will allow for the integration of additional or alternative mission systems.
Approvals and limitations
Kongsberg Maritime's uncrewed vessel technology has already received flag approval from classification society DNV and the Norwegian Maritime Authority, underpinning the technical requirements for operating large uncrewed vessels. However, Navy Lookout clarified that this approval covers the commercial technology and not a finished military version of the Arctic Hunter, which still requires further development and integration.
Construction and deployment
The vessel is designed to be built at commercial shipyards, while the defence industry will integrate the military systems. Kongsberg is working with its long-standing shipbuilding partner, Balaena Maritime, which will deliver the new vessels from its Birkenhead shipyard, ready for militarisation and operational deployment towards the end of this decade. Kongsberg Maritime CEO Lisa Edvardsen Haugan said that Atlantic security is a top priority and that the Arctic Hunter offers a practical answer to the growing need for submarine detection capability.
Industry agreements
The unveiling took place ahead of the Atlantic Future Forum in Oslo, where Kongsberg will sign Technology Collaboration Agreements with Thales UK and Balaena Maritime. According to the company, a Type 92 programme based on the Arctic Hunter would support the Lunna House agreement, through which the UK and Norway aim to lead NATO's adoption of autonomous systems in the High North, although the British Ministry of Defence indicated in July that the number of platforms and construction timelines have yet to be set.
