Kongsberg to Double N3X Satellite Constellation for Maritime Surveillance

Kongsberg Defense will launch three additional N3X microsatellites in early 2027, raising the constellation from three to six spacecraft. The expansion is intended to double revisit rates and deliver near-real-time coverage of Norway’s maritime domain, enhancing the ability to detect “dark” vessels, identify AIS spoofing and monitor other anomalous activity. All six satellites will remain owned by Kongsberg and operate as a dual-use system that supplies data to Norwegian authorities and allied partners.

Kongsberg to Add Three More Satellites to Maritime Surveillance Network Kongsberg to double N3X satellite constellation in early 2027, expanding Norway’s maritime surveillance and dark-vessel tracking Kongsberg add three more N3X satellites to Norway’s maritime picture

The first three N3X satellites—designated ARVAKER I-III—were deployed between March and June 2025 following a contract awarded by the Norwegian Intelligence Service in April 2024. Built on the NanoAvionics MP42 bus and customised with payloads developed with Norway’s Defence Research Establishment, each satellite carries an Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver and passive radio-frequency (Radio Frequency (RF)) sensors. Data are used by the Norwegian Armed Forces, the Norwegian Coastal Administration, the Directorate of Fisheries and Norwegian Customs, while surplus capacity is offered to allied nations. Ground operations are provided by KSAT, with Kongsberg handling system integration and secure data delivery.

Kongsberg add three more N3X satellites to Norway’s maritime picture

• Current fleet: 3 operational satellites (2025)

Kongsberg add three more N3X satellites to Norway’s maritime picture

• Planned addition: 3 microsatellites (early 2027) -> total 6

Kongsberg add three more N3X satellites to Norway’s maritime picture

• Payloads per satellite: AIS receiver + passive RF sensor

Kongsberg add three more N3X satellites to Norway’s maritime picture

• Platform: NanoAvionics MP42 bus, customised for military-grade maritime tracking

Kongsberg add three more N3X satellites to Norway’s maritime picture

• Service model: Dual-use; government and commercial customers receive data, surplus offered to partners

Kongsberg to double N3X satellite constellation in early 2027, expanding Norway’s maritime surveillance and dark-vessel tracking

Kongsberg’s CEO Eirik Lie emphasized the strategic importance of rapid, secure space-based capabilities for Norway’s resilience and situational awareness. Colonel John-Arild Bodding, Commander of the Norwegian Armed Forces Space Operations Center, noted that operational results from the first three satellites have validated space-based maritime surveillance as a core component of national situational awareness and that the expansion will further improve coverage and responsiveness.

Kongsberg to double N3X satellite constellation in early 2027, expanding Norway’s maritime surveillance and dark-vessel tracking

• “The operational results achieved with the first three satellites have confirmed the value of space-based maritime surveillance as an important component of our situational awareness capabilities. Expanding the constellation will further improve coverage, responsiveness, and our ability to monitor activities of interest in maritime areas.” — Commander, of Norwegian Armed Forces Space Operations Center

Kongsberg to double N3X satellite constellation in early 2027, expanding Norway’s maritime surveillance and dark-vessel tracking

• “Rapidly deploying secure space-based capabilities is more critical than ever, and we are proud to contribute to Norway’s resilience and situational awareness from orbit,” — Eirik Lie, CEO of Kongsberg

Kongsberg to double N3X satellite constellation in early 2027, expanding Norway’s maritime surveillance and dark-vessel tracking