What happened
KONGSBERG introduced two new models in its Aegir Subsea Situational Awareness (SSA) sonar family – the Aegir17, a long‑range 360‑degree sonar for larger platforms, and the Aegir57N, a compact matrix sonar aimed at navigation and security on space‑constrained vessels. Both products are market‑ready and can be ordered immediately, with the first commercial delivery slated for November. In parallel, KONGSBERG deepened its partnership with automation platform Viam to supply an AI‑powered virtual sonar operator for the entire Aegir SSA line. The virtual operator uses trained AI models to automatically detect and track underwater objects, such as fish schools or potential threats, and can be customized with customer‑specific models.
KONGSBERG announced the Aegir17 and Aegir57N as the latest additions to its Aegir SSA sonar portfolio. The Aegir17 operates at a lower acoustic frequency with a larger transducer, delivering longer detection ranges and higher definition than the earlier Aegir57 model, which already offers up to 2,000 m range. The Aegir57N, by contrast, uses a matrix array to steer acoustic beams toward selected sectors, providing higher‑resolution imaging for navigation in poorly charted waters and focused security surveillance. Both sonars feature Ethernet interfaces for straightforward integration with unmanned surface vessels (USVs), fixed monitoring stations, and other platforms where size, weight, and power constraints are critical.
The AI component stems from KONGSBERG’s expanded collaboration with Viam, a US‑based physical‑AI and automation platform. Together they are delivering a virtual sonar operator that runs on the Aegir SSA family. The system leverages pre‑trained AI models—originally built for Simrad sonars to detect fish—to automatically flag relevant underwater objects in real time. Customers may use these existing models or train their own to suit specific environments, such as offshore wind farms or corridors. The virtual operator is positioned as a way to automate the continuous data stream generated by sonar, reducing the need for human operators to monitor raw acoustic feeds.
According to KONGSBERG sales director Tonny Algroy, the new sonars combine the economies of scale from commercial sonar production with AI‑enhanced operation, creating a “unique offering” for subsea awareness. The company notes that the Aegir SSA family builds on eight decades of sonar expertise and is part of a broader layered maritime surveillance strategy that includes satellite, coastal radar, drone detection, and passive acoustic sensors. The first commercial Aegir system is scheduled for delivery in November, though pricing and contract terms were not disclosed in the announcement.
Why it matters
The launch marks a notable convergence of mature sonar hardware and modern artificial‑intelligence automation in the maritime domain. By AI‑driven detection into sonars that can be deployed on uncrewed surface vessels, buoys, and fixed installations, KONGSBERG aims to reduce the human workload required for continuous subsea monitoring and to improve response times to underwater hazards. This could broaden access to high‑resolution subsea situational awareness for operators who previously lacked the resources for dedicated sonar analysts, potentially enhancing security for critical infrastructure such as offshore pipelines, ports, and undersea cables. The AI virtual operator also demonstrates a shift toward software‑centric value in traditionally hardware‑heavy defence and maritime markets, signalling that future sonar contracts may be evaluated on both sensor performance and AI analytics capabilities.
The integration of AI directly into sonar hardware addresses a long‑standing bottleneck in subsea monitoring: the sheer volume of acoustic data that must be interpreted by skilled analysts. By automating detection and , the virtual operator can accelerate threat identification and free human operators to focus on higher‑level decision making. This is especially relevant for uncrewed platforms that operate for extended periods without direct human oversight.
From a market perspective, the AI‑enabled sonars could lower the barrier to entry for smaller operators—such as regional port authorities, offshore wind developers, or research institutions—who previously could not justify the cost of dedicated sonar analysis teams. If the AI service is offered on a subscription or usage‑based model, it may also create a recurring revenue stream for KONGSBERG, shifting the business model from one‑off hardware sales to ongoing software services.
Strategically, the move signals that defence and maritime industries are increasingly viewing AI as a core capability rather than an add‑on. This may accelerate competition among sonar manufacturers to embed AI, potentially leading to faster innovation cycles and new standards for data interoperability across maritime surveillance assets.
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What to watch next
Key questions include how quickly customers adopt the AI virtual operator, whether KONGSBERG will open the platform to third‑party model developers, and how the pricing and licensing model for the AI service will be structured. Observers should also monitor performance data from the first commercial Aegir deployment in November, as real‑world detection accuracy and false‑positive rates will influence broader market acceptance. Finally, regulatory scrutiny of AI‑enabled maritime surveillance—especially in contested waters—could affect rollout timelines and integration with existing naval and civilian monitoring systems.
Adoption rates: Early field trials and the performance of the November delivery will reveal whether the AI virtual operator meets accuracy and latency expectations in operational settings.
Pricing and licensing: KONGSBERG has not disclosed whether the AI service will be sold as a perpetual license, a subscription, or a pay‑per‑use model. The structure will influence how quickly smaller operators can adopt the technology.
Customization and ecosystem: The ability for customers to upload or train their own AI models could foster a broader ecosystem of third‑party developers, but it also raises questions about model validation, data security, and intellectual‑property rights.
Regulatory environment: AI‑driven maritime surveillance may attract scrutiny from national and international regulators concerned with privacy, data sovereignty, and the militarization of autonomous underwater systems.