Norway Acquires a Deep-Sea Drone Capable of Mapping the Ocean Floor at 6,000 Meters

Norway’s New Autonomous Underwater Vehicle: The Hugin Superior

According to НВ — Техно: Norway has taken delivery of the Hugin Superior, an autonomous underwater vehicle designed for high-resolution seafloor mapping. This cutting-edge drone can operate at depths of up to 6,000 meters and survey roughly 4.5 square kilometers of ocean floor per hour. The purchase, finalized in 2025, was funded by Norway’s Ministry of Energy through the Norwegian Offshore Directorate. The Norwegian Center for Marine Data (NORMAR), based at the University of Bergen, will be responsible for operating the new vehicle.

Advanced Capabilities of the Hugin Superior

The Hugin Superior is equipped with a MicroNavigation system that delivers positioning accuracy with an error margin of less than 0.04% of the distance traveled. This enhanced data collection capability is expected to significantly improve knowledge of the country’s deepwater areas. Seafloor mapping in Norwegian waters has been ongoing since the 19th century, and this new system promises to dramatically upgrade data quality.

"This new system will help improve our understanding of the country’s deepwater areas and support their responsible management." - Norwegian Offshore Directorate

Before its first mission, scheduled for early June, the Hugin Superior was officially christened. Experts, including Hilde Braut, anticipate that the new vehicle will deliver exceptionally high-quality data, expanding Norway’s knowledge of its deep-sea environments. The deployment of the Hugin Superior represents a significant step forward in the application of modern technology to marine research.

Norway’s investment in the Hugin Superior underscores its growing commitment to exploring marine environments and managing natural resources. Beyond improving seafloor mapping accuracy, this drone has the potential to advance scientific studies related to ecology and biodiversity. The successful operation of the Hugin Superior could serve as a model for other nations looking to adopt cutting-edge marine research technologies.