Kongsberg will add three satellites to its N3X maritime surveillance constellation in early 2027, doubling the fleet to six to meet demand from the Norwegian Armed Forces.
Each spacecraft carries an Automatic Identification System receiver and passive radio-frequency sensors, letting operators spot dark vessels that switch off transponders, catch AIS spoofing and monitor unusual maritime activity. The expansion boosts revisit rates and moves the network toward near-real-time coverage of Norwegian waters and beyond.
The growth builds on a trio of N3X craft flying since 2025, whose operational record Kongsberg cites as the reason to expand. Data flows to the Norwegian military alongside the Coastal Administration, the Directorate of Fisheries and Customs.
Chief executive Eirik Lie argued that fast, secure space capability now underpins national resilience. Norwegian Armed Forces Space Operations Center commander John-Arild Bodding said the initial spacecraft validated orbital maritime watch, and the bigger constellation will speed up and widen coverage.
Kongsberg owns and operates the constellation as a dual-use system, selling to government and commercial customers and sharing surplus capacity with allied nations. Satellite platforms come from Kongsberg NanoAvionics, with KSAT providing ground services and satellite operations.
