Kraken KATFISH on U.S. Navy Trials

Kraken Robotics has signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. Navy’s Naval Undersea Warfare Center – Division Newport (NUWCDIVNPT).

Image Source: Kraken

The CRADA covers the operation of Kraken’s high-speed actively controlled towed Synthetic Aperture Sonar, KATFISH, for multi-mission applications, including mine countermeasures.

The CRADA defines a joint research and development relationship between NUWCDIVNPT and Kraken.

The overall objective is to provide NUWC with experience operating the KATFISH from a surface vessel of opportunity. In the case of this CRADA, the vessel used will be manned; however, the towed system will also be operated from a remote station to simulate unmanned operation.

Karl Kenny, Kraken’s president and CEO said, “This is our second CRADA with the U.S. Navy. Our first CRADA with NUWC was signed in April 2013 (shortly after Kraken commenced its operations) to evaluate the performance of our AquaPix Synthetic Aperture Sonar. Over the past 5 years, we have worked well with various U.S. Navy groups, and these efforts have accelerated significantly over the past 18 months. We look forward to further collaboration with NUWC to develop cost-effective solutions that support the warfighter.”