Military operations with HUGIN AUVs: lessons learned and the way ahead

Since 2001, the Royal Norwegian Navy (RNoN) Mine Warfare Flotilla have used HUGIN AUVs in a number of military operations around Europe. A dedicated military system, HUGIN 1000, was delivered to the Flotilla in January 2004. The AUV is operated from an RNoN mine hunter, and has been deployed in NATOs Immediate Reaction Force MCMFORNORTH from October 2004. Various types of operations have been performed, ranging from route surveys to covert mine reconnaissance and rapid environmental assessment (REA) missions. Equipped with side scan or synthetic aperture sonar, multibeam echo sounder, and a state of the art integrated inertial navigation system, the HUGIN AUVs provide high quality, high resolution imagery and bathymetry with excellent position accuracy. A proven launch and recovery system allows safe and efficient operation in high sea states. In parallel with the use of the HUGIN 1000 system in the RNoN, a new version with further improved capability is being developed. Lessons learned during four years of operational military use of HUGIN vehicles will help form the next generation, called HUGIN 1000-MR. Purchase of this system has been approved by the Norwegian Ministry of Defence, and delivery is expected in 2006.