Kraken, Atlas U.K. demo Katfish launch to Royal Navy

Executive Summary

• Kraken Robotics successfully demonstrated its Katfish unmanned surface vessel launch and recovery system (USV-LARS) from TKMS Atlas U.K.'s 11-metre Arcims USV.
• The integration creates the industry's first air-deployable, 300-metre depth-rated autonomous towed synthetic aperture sonar (SAS) survey system, designed for maritime security and mine countermeasure operations.
• Testing was conducted off the coast of Portland, U.K., for NATO navies, validating system robustness up to sea state three and demonstrating real-time data streaming capabilities.

Key Details

• Integration: Kraken's Katfish USV-LARS was integrated with TKMS Atlas U.K.'s Arcims USV, utilizing the Arcims common deck interface for rapid rerole and seamless integration.
• Performance Metrics:
  • Testing validated system robustness and operational readiness up to sea state three.
  • Integration, testing, and demonstration occurred over a compressed period of just two weeks.
• Technical Specifications:
  • Katfish Sensor: Collects high-resolution SAS data at up to a 200-metre range per side at a depth of 300 metres.
  • Data Resolution: Real-time data streamed at three-centimetre-by-three-centimetre resolution.
  • Construction: All-titanium construction for low magnetic signature and low weight, specifically designed for small vessels.
• Operational Demonstration:
  • Conducted off the coast of Portland, U.K., from Nov 18 to Nov 19.
  • Audience included North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) navies.
  • Arcims USV autonomously navigated and planned missions while Katfish collected high-resolution SAS and bathymetric surveys in very shallow water.
  • Data was live-streamed via satellite communications to a shore-based command centre for real-time contact classification.
• Strategic Value: The system acts as a force multiplier, allowing small naval platforms to collect high-resolution data, providing agile, modular, and cost-effective mine countermeasure capabilities.

Notable Quotes

• Greg Reid, President and CEO, Kraken Robotics: "With its ability to safely and autonomously launch and recover Katfish from USVs, our USV-LARS allows small naval platforms to collect Katfish's high-resolution synthetic aperture sonar (SAS) data, significantly increasing their capabilities and acting as force multipliers."
• Wesley Galliver, Head of Surface Ship Systems Division, TKMS Atlas U.K.: "This achievement demonstrates what can be accomplished when innovation and collaboration come together. Integrating Arcims with Katfish and LARS in such a compressed time frame sets a new benchmark for delivering operational capability to our customers."