Kraken Robotic Systems’ KATFISH Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS) towed system has finished a series of rigorous sea tests with Elbit Systems’ Seagull unmanned surface vessel (USV).
KATFISH is an actively controlled towfish platform that can be deployed for high-speed hunting of naval mines and underwater improvised explosive devices.
The SAS system generates ultra-high-definition seabed imagery and mapping for a wide range of military and commercial applications and can perform real-time transmission of sonar data.
When the system is integrated on Seagull USV, it can provide an end-to-end, unmanned, mine hunting capability.
Kraken Robotic Systems is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kraken Robotics, a supplier of advanced sensors for unmanned underwater vehicles used in military applications.
Kraken Robotics president and CEO Karl Kenny said: “With KATFISH integrated on Elbit’s Seagull USV, the system can provide remotely operated, unmanned, end-to-end mine hunting operations.
“With KATFISH, these ocean drones can detect very small objects hidden on the seabed and enter confined spaces where underwater explosives are likely to be hidden.
“Since robotic systems can be remotely operated their use can remove people from very dangerous missions, in essence, taking the sailor out of the minefield.”
The completion of the tests follows a host of mine countermeasures (MCM) tests and exercises performed by the Seagull over the past two years.
Alongside KATFISH, multiple sensors and effectors have been integrated into the Seagull.
Elbit’s Seagull is a multi-mission USV platform, capable of providing an endurance of four days and mission sea-keeping of up to Sea-State 5.
It can be reconfigured to support a range of missions, including anti-submarine warfare and mine countermeasures.
