Kraken Robotics Supplies Mine Detection Equipment to NATO Navies
Canadian firm Kraken Robotics supplies advanced mine detection systems to NATO navies and defense forces in the US and UK. The technology aids in identifying difficult-to-detect sea mines.
Canadian company Kraken Robotics is providing advanced equipment for the detection and clearing of sea mines. The firm's technology is utilized by several NATO navies, and it collaborates with the defense forces of the United States and the United Kingdom.
The detection and clearing of sea mines present a growing challenge, particularly with concerns over potential Iranian mine deployments in the Strait of Hormuz. Modern mines can be difficult to identify, often disguised to resemble seabed features or rocks, and possess a low signature that hinders detection.
Kraken's KATFISH system maps the seabed, transmitting high-resolution data via an fiber-optic cable to a surface vessel. The company's CTO, David Shea, highlighted the shift towards uncrewed systems for operating in dangerous areas without risking human lives. Some of Kraken's systems use navigation independent of GPS, which is crucial in environments where GPS signals can be jammed or denied.
Beyond mine countermeasures (MCM) operations, the company's technologies, including synthetic aperture sonar and seabed mapping, are increasingly important for detecting and surveying underwater threats.