Overview
- Kraken Robotics and TKMS ATLAS UK demonstrated an ARCIMS unmanned surface vessel autonomously launching, towing, and recovering the KATFISH synthetic aperture sonar off Portland, UK, on November 18–19.
- NATO delegations observed the USV plan and execute missions while streaming KATFISH synthetic aperture sonar and bathymetric data to shore in real time via satellite links.
- Company specifications highlight 3 cm by 3 cm imaging resolution at up to 200 metres per side with a 300 metre depth rating for the towed system.
- Trials reached sea state three, which the companies say validated the robustness and operational readiness of the titanium, low‑magnetic‑signature launch-and-recovery system designed for small vessels.
- Integration on the 11‑metre ARCIMS took roughly two weeks using a footprint matched to the platform’s common deck interface, and the partners describe the package as the industry’s first air‑deployable autonomous towed SAS survey system.