Eight weeks, 175 summer students

Internship Exhibition highlighted results from eight weeks of hard work

Eight weeks, 175 summer students, and an impressive range of innovative projects – the 2025 KONGSBERG Summer Internship Exhibition once again demonstrated the skills, creativity and dedication of the next generation of talent.

  • Text:Njål Frilseth

    Photo:Jørn Grønlund

The annual event, held last week, marked the conclusion of the summer internship programme, where departing interns presented and discussed the projects and programmes they had worked on during their time at KONGSBERG. 

“This exhibition is a great reminder of why we invest so much in our internship programme,” says Geir Håøy, President and CEO of KONGSBERG. 

“The quality of the work we saw was outstanding, and it is clear that our interns approached their projects with curiosity and determination. They have been part of delivering solutions that matter, and I hope this experience encourages them to keep exploring what technology can achieve.”

Challenging tasks that mirror real-world demands

Each summer, selected students join KONGSBERG for an eight-week programme, working closely with experienced employees on challenging tasks that reflect the realities of the industry. The internships are designed to bridge theory and practice, enabling students to apply their academic knowledge to practical solutions within advanced technologies in defence, energy, maritime, renewable energy and aerospace.

Interest in the programme reached a record high this year, with 2,823 applications – a 44% increase from last year. From this strong pool of candidates, 175 students were offered a place in the programme.

This year’s programme included both department-based and project-based internships, featuring 11 projects across our four business areas. These included initiatives such as Project Revolution Green in Kongsberg Maritime, which aimed to design and simulate a next-generation energy-efficient vessel, and Project Lone Wolf in Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, dedicated to developing an autonomous all-terrain vehicle capable of avoiding obstacles. Local Hawk explored new possibilities in drone technology, while the Uncrewed Surface Vehicle project with Kongsberg Discovery involved advanced ocean sensor systems and data analysis. The KONGSBERG Technology Forum internship focused on strengthening collaboration and driving technology strategy across all business areas.

A new addition in 2025 is the collaboration with Olympiatoppen, part of the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports, through Summit 2028 – Creating Results, a project aimed at developing technology to give Norwegian athletes a competitive edge at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

One of the highlights was a GPS-based start analysis tool created for the Norwegian sailing team, designed to optimise race starts by providing real-time tracking of position, speed and movement in relation to the start line. The project combined machine learning, data engineering and UX design to deliver a solution with direct application in elite sport.

“This year’s exhibition showed how much motivated students can achieve when they take ownership of their work,” said Anne Gro Kjørstad, HR Manager at KONGSBERG. “From the start, they worked on complex problems, collaborated across disciplines, and introduced ideas we might not have considered. For us, it’s about giving them the opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way and see the impact of their efforts.”

Throughout the programme, interns were encouraged to develop their ability to adapt, take on complex challenges and work professionally in real-world situations. They were expected to show both drive and ambition, and in return they gained valuable hands-on experience and personal growth.

A celebration of what had been achieved

From pioneering maritime solutions to supporting Olympic athletes, this year’s internship programme reflected the breadth of opportunities available at KONGSBERG and the potential of the next generation of engineers, technologists and innovators. The exhibition was not only a celebration of what had been achieved over the summer, but also a reminder of the value of bringing together fresh perspectives and deep expertise to create solutions for a more resilient future.

“The energy and commitment our interns brought to KONGSBERG this summer were truly inspiring. They leave having made a real contribution, and I believe they will carry this experience into whatever paths they choose next. I look forward to seeing where their talents take them,” said Håøy, expressing his appreciation to everyone involved.

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