KONGSBERG has completed the acquisition of Sonatech, a leading 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 autonomus underwater vehicles (AUV). It enables covert seabed intelligence gathering and can carry customised 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 defence and the protection of critical undersea infrastructure.
Sonatech is a key provider to the US Navy of advanced sonar and underwater communication solutions and expertise in technical design, development and manufacturing. Sonatech is a technology company based in Santa Barbara, California, with more than 100 skilled employees. In 2024, the company reported revenue of USD 33 million. Sonatech specialises in developing and manufacturing customised devices, subsystems and systems that transmit, receive, and process acoustic signals through the ocean. KONGSBERG acquired 100 percent of Sonatech. The transaction value is undisclosed.
“Maritime domain awareness is critical in today’s rapidly evolving security landscape, and this acquisition strengthens KONGSBERG’s position as a partner to the US Navy and provides exciting growth opportunities in the US. Sonatech and KONGSBERG’s technology portfolios and expertise are complementary, and together they will expand the systems and products available in the US,” said Eirik Lie, President and Chief Executive Officer of KONGSBERG.
“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 missionised versions for the defence 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 Gruppen ASA is a Norwegian multinational company based in Kongsberg that supplies high-technology systems to customers in the merchant marine, defence, aerospace, offshore oil and gas industries, and renewable and utilities industries. The company comprises four business areas: Kongsberg Discovery, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, and Kongsberg Digital. Kongsberg is a continuation of Kongsberg Weapons Factory (Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk – KV) (1814–1987). Kongsberg was listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange in 1993 and is a public company. The Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries is the largest shareholder with a 50.004 percent interest.
