Katfish towed sonar completes ARCIMS USV demonstration

Kraken Robotics and TKMS Atlas UK have completed a demonstration of the Katfish USV launch and recovery system on an in-service UK Royal Navy ARCIMS USV. (Kraken Robotics)

TKMS Atlas UK and Kraken Robotics have completed a demonstration of Kraken's Katfish unmanned surface vehicle (USV) launch and recovery system (LARS) integrated onboard an Atlas UK 11 m Atlas Remote Capability Integration Mission Suite (ARCIMS) USV platform.

Revealing details of the event on 10 December, Kraken said the at-sea demonstration was completed off the coast of Portland, UK, over 18–19 November in front of observers from several NATO navies.

Katfish-180 is an actively stabilised synthetic aperture sonar (SAS) towfish system designed to deliver very-high-resolution data at up to a 200 m range per side at a depth of 300 m, with real-time data streamed at 3×3 cm resolution. The tow body uses articulated tailfins and an intelligent autopilot to compensate for motion, enabling high-quality data collection and large area coverage rates.

The new compact, remotely operated Katfish USV LARS has been designed specifically for small platforms, with an all-titanium construction for low magnetic signature and low weight. Proprietary data released by the company indicates an all-up weight (with the SAS towed body and 1,500 m tow cable) of 2,240 kg. The system is designed for launch and recovery in conditions up to Sea State 4.

“The LARS footprint was designed to fit [the] ARCIMS common deck interface, enabling rapid rerole and seamless integration with the platform,” Kraken Robotics said in a statement, adding that “integration, testing, and the demonstration [occurred] over a period of just two weeks”.