NEWS
Squarehead Signs Contract with Fjord1 for AI-Driven Acoustic Asset Management on Four New Autonomous Ferries
Oslo, October 28, 2025 - Squarehead has signed a contract with Fjord1 to deliver advanced AI-driven acoustic anomaly detection systems for four new ferries that will operate on the E39 Lavik–Oppedal route starting in September 2026. The vessels are part of Fjord1’s program to develop the world’s first fully autonomous ferry connection.
As part of the project, Fjord1 is establishing a land-based control center to oversee ferry operations. By monitoring operations from shore, vessels can reduce their reliance on manual detection of sound events in engine rooms, which are often early indicators of technical issues. To support improved situational awareness from a land-based control center, Fjord1 and Squarehead are working to implement the use of AI-driven acoustic monitoring technology in engine and pump rooms.
“Autonomous vessels are a prime example of why the technology we deliver is needed. As the world gets more autonomous, we need to digitalize the senses we have always relied heavily on. This contract clearly shows how acoustic situational awareness is increasingly in demand for enabling smarter, safer, and more efficient operations,” says Stig Nyvold, CEO of Squarehead.
Each of the four ferries’ pump- and engine rooms will be equipped with Squarehead’s G2+ microphone arrays, which continuously record and analyze sound patterns in real time to identify deviations from normal operation, and pin-point where those deviations are originating from. This enables early detection of irregularities before they lead to downtime or technical failures, improving safety, efficiency, and operational predictability.
“What we are doing here is not limited to autonomous vessels. The same technology can be applied broadly across the maritime industry, helping ship operators of all kinds gain better insight into technical conditions and safety through sound-based monitoring,” Nyvold adds.
The contract represents an important milestone for Squarehead’s growing Asset Management business in the maritime sector.
Fox News 19.09.2025
Fox News report that U.S. Northern Command and the U.S. Department of Defense are intensifying efforts to counter drone incursions at U.S. national-security facilities, with over 350 incidents recorded in 2024 alone. During a recent exercise (“Falcon Peak 25.2”), more than 20 counter-small-UAS (C-sUAS) systems were tested, including Squarehead Technology’s acoustic-based detection solution capable of identifying low-flying drones by their sound signature.
Link to article HERE
Video:
Finansavisen 26.08.2025
Henter 50 mill. fra venture-fond: Kraftig prishopp for dronejegere
Article in Norwegian.
Subscription required.
Norwegian Defence Material Agency Contracts OSL for C-UAS capability including equipment from Squarehead Technology
August 15, 2025 - The Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency has signed a contract with British company Operational Solutions Ltd. (OSL) for the purchase of new anti-drone systems. OSL will integrate sensors and effectors from a number of suppliers including Squarehead Technology.
The systems being acquired are known as anti-drone systems, also called “Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems” or C-UAS, which will protect bases as well as stationary objects and installations from drones.
The framework agreement with OSL will last for four years, with an option to extend for up to three years. The first order concerns anti-drone capacity for Ørland Air Station.
“The framework agreement we have now established will ensure that the Armed Forces have the capacity to combat smaller unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The agreement ensures that we can easily procure more and rapidly expand our capacity. Operational Solutions Ltd. has delivered similar systems to other customers and demonstrated the ability to deliver on time, within budget, and to the required performance,” says Gro Jære, Director of the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency.
The anti-drone system will supplement existing air defense systems and will consist of a command and control system (C2 system), sensors, and effectors—both kinetic and non-kinetic.
Squarehead Technology Wins Defense Contract for Acoustic Sensors to be a part of Counter Battery System
Oslo, May 19, 2025 – Squarehead Technology has secured a significant contract with the Norwegian Armed Forces for the delivery of acoustic passive sensors under project P5007. These sensors will enhance counter battery systems by detecting sounds from indirect fire (IDF), such as Rockets, Artillery and Mortars (RAM).
This contract marks a major milestone for Squarehead Technology, which will supply sensor systems and platform integration kits to the Norwegian Armed Forces.
Acoustic Technology for the Future of Defense Systems
Squarehead’s acoustic sensors will complement existing radar systems by providing emission control, reducing the need for constant radar operation and improving operational security. Squarehead’s Discovair sensor is a multi-purpose system, using sound signatures of objects to detect them. Squarehead has a proven track record of deploying acoustic sensors for passive drone detection (C-UAS) with armed forces in active combat. Being completely passive, the sensors operate undisturbed and undetected in areas heavily congested by jamming or in RF denied environments. Further expanding this capability to detect and classify other threats such as Rockets, Artillery and Mortars, snipers and vehicles, is a natural extension of the capabilities of the Discovair passive acoustic sensor.
– This is a strategically important contract for us. It demonstrates that there is a new need in the defense market for passive sensors in general, and acoustic sensors in particular. This is not only something we are proud to contribute to, but this contract also fosters great opportunities both nationally and internationally, says Stig Nyvold, CEO of Squarehead Technology.
New Capabilities for Current Conflict Landscape
With the extensive use of indirect fire in modern conflicts, the demand for comprehensive detection systems with combined sensor technology is significant. Squarehead’s passive technology provides the Armed Forces with a lightweight and flexible solution that easily can be integrated into existing and new sensor systems.
– This contract is just the beginning for acoustics as a multi-purpose technology in defense operations. We see great potential for further collaboration with allied forces, Nyvold adds.
Norwegian Defense Research Establishment - 16.04.2025
Norwegian Defense Research Establishment’s podcast Droner, sensorer og nordisk samarbeid. På innsiden av Arctic Strik 2025 takes listeners inside Arctic Strike 2025, a large-scale Nordic technology experiment where defence organizations and industry partners from Norway, Sweden and Finland test tomorrow’s solutions for drone detection and situational awareness.
The episode highlights how new sensor technologies are being integrated to identify, track and counter drones in demanding environments. Squarehead Technology is featured as one of the participants from the Norwegian team, contributing our advanced acoustic sensor systems to the experiment.
Link to article and podcast HERE