Kongsberg Discovery launches standalone HISAS
Previously available exclusively as part of integrated payloads on Kongsberg Discovery’s HUGIN AUV family, the new HISAS2020 synthetic aperture sonar can now be implemented across any platform – including all relevant AUVs, USVs, ROVs and towed assets. The solution, which is suitable for a vast array of defence, energy and ocean science applications, will be officially showcased at Oceanology International in London later this month.
The HISAS2020 operates in the 120-210kHz frequency range, delivering ultra-high-resolution, centimetre-level imagery, alongside co-registered bathymetry, in a single pass. A key advantage is its real-time, GPU-enabled processing architecture, allowing data to be processed on the fly. This transforms raw acoustic returns into actionable insights during the mission itself, rather than through post-processing onshore. The result is faster decision-making, reduced survey time and increased operational efficiency.
For users, this means seeing more detail, detecting smaller objects and understanding underwater environments with both greater confidence and speed – whether the task is seabed mapping, surveys of critical underwater infrastructure or target identification.
Accurate, reliable and consistent
The flexibility of the HISAS2020 makes it relevant across a wide range of high-value use cases that call for accuracy, reliability and consistency. Defence operators benefit from precise seabed awareness for mine countermeasures, harbour protection, search and rescue operations, and overall maritime domain awareness. Energy companies gain improved inspection capability for pipelines, cables and offshore assets, supporting both maintenance and integrity assessments. Ocean scientists and hydrographers can capture highly detailed maps of habitats, archaeological sites and geological features, enabling long-term monitoring and environmental research.
Market-proven technology
According to Kongsberg Discovery, the HISAS is already market proven in thousands of missions worldwide across many operational domains and applications, with today’s solution actually representing the fourth generation. “The technology has matured through years of real-world use, in exceptionally demanding missions and operating conditions, giving HUGIN users imaging with resolutions many times higher than conventional sonar,” comments Espen Reinertsen, vice president mapping.
“We now believe the time is right to push those benefits out to a wider audience, enabling platform-independent deployment for the ultimate in flexibility, usability and consistently high-quality results. This is a natural, and important, evolution for HISAS,” he continues.
“Users want data they can trust, especially when operating in complex or sensitive environments,” Reinertsen adds. “HISAS2020 is about delivering that trust. It provides a complete picture in a single pass, reducing uncertainty and enabling better outcomes across missions.”
Extending access beyond the HUGIN ecosystem
Kongsberg Discovery was among the first companies to bring synthetic aperture sonar into the commercial market. By opening access beyond the HUGIN ecosystem, the company is extending the HISAS legacy, while maintaining the performance and quality that made the system successful in the first place.
The standalone launch reflects Kongsberg Discovery’s broader commitment to platform-agnostic innovation and long-term partnerships with customers, enabling them to build solutions tailored to their specific operational needs.
To experience the HISAS2020 first hand, visit Kongsberg Discovery’s stand at Oceanology International.
