Kraken Robotics and TKMS ATLAS UK have successfully demonstrated the integration of Kraken’s KATFISH Unmanned Surface Vessel Launch and Recovery System (USV-LARS) on ATLAS UK’s 11-meter ARCIMS USV, which is currently in-service with the UK Royal Navy.
The combined system offers a comprehensive autonomous survey package specifically designed for maritime security missions, including mine countermeasure operations and critical underwater infrastructure inspection. It is described as the industry’s first air-deployable, 300-meter depth-rated autonomous towed Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS) survey system.
The combination of ARCIMS’ proven USV with Kraken’s towed SAS and recovery system allows navies to deploy advanced technologies faster and more efficiently, thereby strengthening maritime security in increasingly complex environments.
The system was demonstrated for NATO navies off the coast of Portland, UK, on November 18-19. Attendees observed the ARCIMS USV autonomously navigating and planning missions while the KATFISH towed system collected high-resolution SAS and bathymetric surveys in very shallow water. The collected data was live-streamed via satellite communications to a command center on shore, allowing operators to classify contacts in real-time.
The USV-LARS was designed with a footprint specifically tailored to fit the ARCIMS common deck interface, enabling rapid rerole and seamless integration with the platform. During the operations, sea state three conditions were encountered, demonstrating the system’s robustness and readiness for use in real-world naval environments.
Kraken’s KATFISH system can collect high-resolution SAS data at up to a 200-meter range per side at a depth of 300 meters, with real-time data streamed at a resolution of 3 cm x 3 cm. The KATFISH USV-LARS was specifically designed for small vessels, featuring an all-titanium construction for a low magnetic signature and low weight. The rapid mobilization on the ARCIMS saw the integration, testing, and demonstration completed over a period of just two weeks.
Greg Reid, President and CEO of Kraken Robotics, stated, “With the surge in unmanned systems for defence, naval forces need the best technology available to protect national security. 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 SAS data, significantly increasing their capabilities and acting as force multipliers.”
Wesley Galliver, Head of Surface Ship Systems Division, TKMS ATLAS UK, commented, “This achievement demonstrates what can be accomplished when innovation and collaboration come together. Integrating ARCIMS with KATFISH and LARS in such a compressed timeframe sets a new benchmark for delivering operational capability to our customers. I am delighted with the results and proud of what the combined teams achieved.”
This joint integration is intended to represent a significant advancement in delivering agile, modular, and cost-effective mine countermeasure capabilities for modern naval operations.
