Kongsberg Mesotech - Underwater Surveillance, Advanced Diver and Swimmer Detection Sonar Systems

The KONGSBERG Group of companies (KONGSBERG) is an internationally oriented, knowledge-based corporation that supplies high-technology systems to customers engaged in offshore oil and gas production, the merchant marine, and the defence and aerospace industries. The KONGSBERG Group of companies includes KONGSBERG Maritime AS (KM) and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS (KDA).

Kongsberg is Norway’s premier defence supplier, with roots dating back to 1814. Over the last 40 years, the company has been an international supplier of integrated combat systems for submarines and surface navy vessels, with lengthy experience as a supplier of active and passive sonar systems, including underwater vehicle technology.

Kongsberg Mesotech traces its roots back to 1973 and the development of high-resolution single-beam scanning sonar, prior to its acquisition by SIMRAD and then subsequently by the Kongsberg Group. The earliest and most successful developer of multibeam sonar for diver detection, Kongsberg has a large installed customer base that includes the US Navy, the US Coast Guard Service, and other NATO navies and customers around the world. Kongsberg provides long-term parts availability and support worldwide on a 24/7 basis.

Diver detection sonar deployment flexibility

Diver detection sonar (DDS) has evolved to accomplish a variety of missions. These roles include fixed systems for port security and mobile systems, in addition to ship-borne systems. These systems have multi-mission capability and are easily interchangeable from one type of deployment to another, as well as being light enough to be deployed by a small crew. Complete set-up can be accomplished in less than one hour.

The DDS9000 series meets the requirements for multi-mission capability. The system can be lowered by a winch cable, tripod-mounted for either fixed-position or mobile deployments. The DDS 9000 series’ sonar head’s weight of less than 200 pounds (90 kg) allows for easy deployment by a small crew. Most importantly, this deployment flexibility is achieved without sacrificing detection performance.

DDS systems can be integrated easily into larger C2/C4ISR systems to provide greater situational awareness. With over 40 SM2000 and DDS systems delivered worldwide, the effectiveness and reliability of Kongsberg Mesotech’s systems is unmatched by any of its competitors.

DDS Operator Interface

The MS9000 software has a totally new look and feel that will be familiar to users of other Kongsberg sonar products. Users employ a series of pull-down menus to set operating parameters for the sonar processor. The Graphical User Interface (GUI) can be translated into a variety of languages.

At present, Kongsberg DDS systems are operated with a number of different automated detection and tracking software programs. These include CATA™ (Computer Aided Target Acquisition), MSI-C-Scope™ and Defender II, plus software packages developed by defence-industry integrators in cooperation with Kongsberg.

The Defender X™ software module enables the networked output from up to ten sonar nodes to be displayed on a single display, simplifying and reducing the number of displays required for operation in multi-node systems.

In conjunction with Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace, the company is able to provide a fully integrated port security system that addresses underwater, surface and airborne threats. Vessel Traffic Management Information Systems (VTMIS) can be integrated into this system utilizing the C-Scope software suite of Kongsberg NorControl IT. Data can be integrated from the widest possible choice of sensors, including live satellite feeds, to provide the full security picture.