Defence technology firm Vatn Systems has launched SIGURD, a modular mine countermeasure system designed to autonomously detect and neutralise naval mines.
The company announced the launch at a time when global interest in affordable and scalable mine countermeasure solutions is growing, especially in regions such as the Indo-Pacific and key maritime chokepoints where undersea threats are reported to be increasing.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
Vatn Systems developed SIGURD based on Skelmir S6 autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) platform. Former Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians were responsible for the design, testing, and verification of the system.
The system is capable of operating at depths of up to 100 metres with a maximum operational range of 30 nautical miles. It has a mission-dependent run time of approximately six hours.
According to the company, the system is the first autonomous mine countermeasure system to combine tracking, detection, and terminal engagement within a single solution.
SIGURD features two modular components that may be used separately or combined to provide a complete end-to-end solution.
The detection module is equipped with a side scan sonar payload. According to the company, it enables the S6 AUV to operate at depths up to 100 metres, has a runtime of approximately six hours, and offers a 30 nautical mile operational range.
For neutralisation, the system uses forward-looking sensors with two operational modes including a fully autonomous engagement or an option where a human operator is involved.
Operators interact with both variants via a command and control interface based on TAK software.
Vatn Systems has commenced testing SIGURD with government customers, and the system has demonstrated successful detection and interception of inert mine targets.
Vatn Systems co-founder and CEO Nelson Mills said: “Vatn Systems is on a mission to become the next underwater defence prime, and SIGURD is the latest proof that our platform can be rapidly configured to meet the most urgent threats operators face.
“The threat of mine deployment across critical maritime chokepoints has never been more real, and the window to field an affordable, scalable response is now. We have been encouraged by customer response, and the initial demand reflects the ongoing urgency.”
Vatn Systems said it has established production capacity to deliver the SIGURD system at scale for both domestic and international customers.
The company also confirmed to Naval Technology that it is entering SIGURD in the Defense Innovation Unit’s (DIU) Mine Countermeasure (MCM) challenge, launched in May.
With a total prize fund of $10m, the challenge seeks to identify top commercial uncrewed technologies to enhance the Navy’s ability to safely detect and neutralise maritime mine threats.
Initial prize recipients are expected to be named on 19 June 2026, prior to an intensive schedule of in-water testing planned for the summer.
Vatn Systems expects SIGURD to be ready for deployment this year.
