Kongsberg Discovery and MacArtney Underwater Technology have entered into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance towed underwater sensing solutions.
This agreement integrates Kongsberg Discovery's cutting-edge systems with MacArtney's remotely operated towed vehicle (ROTV) platforms, offering a cohesive solution for users in defence, energy, and ocean science sectors globally.
Collaborative efforts in underwater technology
The MoU, formalised at Kongsberg Discovery's facility in Horten, Norway, was described as a "natural partnership." Kongsberg Discovery is recognised for its high-performance underwater positioning and navigation systems, multibeam and scientific echosounders, and synthetic aperture sonars—considered essential tools for advanced survey work.
In contrast, MacArtney is known for its robust towing platforms, cables, and subsea communication systems, particularly its Focus series, noted for hydrodynamic stability and versatility.
Technology and flexibility
The solutions are applicable for activities including seafloor mapping, pipeline inspection, and wide-area search tasks
Helge Uhlen, Vice President of OT Sales at Kongsberg Discovery, commented on the partnership's strategic importance: “This partnership represents an important step toward delivering comprehensive solutions to our customers. By combining all our sonars, underwater positioning and navigation systems from Kongsberg Discovery with MacArtney’s platforms, we can now offer a unique blend of technology and flexibility.”
The solutions are applicable for activities including seafloor mapping, pipeline inspection, wide-area search tasks, and mine countermeasures, adaptable to conditions from shallow waters to depths of 1,000 metres.
Responding to industry needs
Bjarke T. Ovesen, Sales Director of Naval at MacArtney, characterised the partnership as a natural progression from prior collaborations, apt for customers with stringent operational demands.
“We look forward to working with Kongsberg Discovery to integrate their advanced sonars into our systems. This will provide our customers with significant added value in terms of precision and reliability and ensure they have the tools to succeed,” Ovesen stated.
The collaboration promises to deliver vital enhancements in precision and reliability, addressing the requirements of demanding projects.
Kongsberg Discovery and MacArtney Underwater Technology have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) creating a new level of turnkey capability in towed underwater sensing solutions.
The agreement will see all Kongsberg Discovery’s innovative systems integrated onto MacArtney’s remotely operated towed vehicle (ROTV) platforms, bringing two technology pioneers together in one offer for defence, energy and ocean science users worldwide.
Best of both worlds
The agreement, signed now at Kongsberg Discovery’s facility in Horten, Norway, was lauded as “a natural partnership”. Kongsberg Discovery is a world pioneer in high-performance underwater positioning and navigation systems, multibeam -and scientific echosounders and synthetic aperture sonars, with solutions which are de-facto standard tools for all high-end survey work.
MacArtney, meanwhile, has built a reputation as a pioneer in towing platforms, cables and subsea communication systems. Its market proven Focus series is renowned for hydrodynamic stability, payload flexibility and the ability to operate multiple instruments simultaneously at various depths and speeds.
Transformational benefits
Speaking of the agreement, Helge Uhlen, Vice President, OT Sales, Kongsberg Discovery, says: “This partnership represents an important step toward delivering comprehensive solutions to our customers. By combining all our sonars, underwater positioning and navigation systems from Kongsberg Discovery with MacArtney’s platforms, we can now offer a unique blend of technology and flexibility.”
Uhlen notes applications include, but are not limited to, seafloor mapping, pipeline and cable inspection, wide-area search tasks, mine-countermeasures, and more. The flexibility of the solution allows for operations in either shallow coastal areas, or at depths down to 1,000 metres, depending on the specific platform.
Meeting demand
Bjarke T. Ovesen, Sales Director – Naval, MacArtney, described the partnership as a natural evolution of a long-standing collaboration between the companies. And a natural choice for customers with demanding operations.
“We look forward to working with Kongsberg Discovery to integrate their advanced sonars into our systems. This will provide our customers with significant added value in terms of precision and reliability and ensure they have the tools to succeed,” Ovesen comments.
