“With the surge in unmanned systems for defense, naval forces need the best technology available to protect national security,” said Greg Reid, President and CEO of 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.”
The LARS footprint was designed to fit ATLAS UK’s ARCIMS common deck interface, enabling rapid re-role and seamless integration with the platform. Sea state three conditions were encountered during operations, demonstrating the system’s robustness and readiness for real-world naval environments.
This joint integration marks a major step forward in delivering agile, modular, and cost-effective mine countermeasure capabilities for modern naval operations. By combining ARCIMS’ proven USV with Kraken’s cutting-edge towed synthetic aperture sonar and recovery system, navies can deploy advanced technologies faster and more efficiently, strengthening maritime security in increasingly complex environments.
The system was demonstrated off the coast of Portland, UK November 18–19 for NATO navies. Attendees witnessed the ARCIMS USV autonomously navigate and plan missions with the KATFISH towed system, collecting high-resolution SAS and bathymetric surveys in very shallow water. Data was live-streamed via satellite communications to the command center on shore, enabling real-time classification of contacts by operators.
Wesley Galliver, Head of Surface Ship Systems Division, TKMS ATLAS UK, said, “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.”
Kraken’s KATFISH collects high-resolution synthetic aperture sonar data at up to a 200-meter range per side at a depth of 300 meters, with real-time data streamed at 3 cm x 3 cm resolution. Kraken’s KATFISH USV-LARS was designed specifically for small vessels, with an all-titanium construction for low magnetic signature and low weight.
KATFISH and USV-LARS were rapidly mobilized on the ARCIMS, with integration, testing, and the demonstration happening over a period of just two weeks. Together, ARCIMS and KATFISH USV-LARS provide the industry’s first air-deployable, 300-meter depth-rated autonomous towed SAS survey system.
Kraken Robotics and TKMS ATLAS UK Demonstrate KATFISH USV LARS on a UK Royal Navy ARCIMS USV. (Video credit: Kraken Robotics)
