Klein Marine Systems has announced the MANTIS UUV, a side scan sonar system designed for autonomous underwater vehicle platforms. The system incorporates the company’s SmartArray Technology, which integrates electronics directly into the transducer array to reduce the overall footprint for space-constrained UUV installations.
According to Klein’s announcement, the MANTIS UUV is intended to provide “consistent, high-resolution sonar imagery across changing survey ranges and speeds.” The system employs multi-channel side scan sonar technology with onboard processing capabilities for real-time data analysis.
The baseline configuration operates at 600 kHz, with additional options available at 720 kHz and 850 kHz to accommodate different mission requirements. The system offers swath coverage of up to 150 meters per side, for a total coverage width of 300 meters. Resolution specifications include 1.0 cm across-track resolution and 10 cm along-track resolution to ranges of 50 meters.
Klein states that the system supports operation at speeds of 6 to 8 knots across all ranges, addressing the operational tempo demands of autonomous missions. The design incorporates advanced signal processing techniques including dynamic focusing, multiple-look processing, and adaptive beamforming.
The SmartArray Technology approach embeds key electronics within the transducer array itself, a configuration intended to reduce size, weight, and power requirements compared to traditional sonar architectures where electronics are housed separately. For UUV manufacturers and operators working with limited payload capacity, this integration may simplify installation planning and preserve space for additional sensors or equipment.
The system uses Ethernet-based control and data interfaces, which Klein describes as “Ethernet-centric” architecture designed to reduce integration complexity. Real-time onboard processing enables the sonar to process data during missions rather than requiring post-mission analysis, a capability that supports autonomous decision-making workflows and machine learning applications.
Klein has identified several operational domains for the MANTIS UUV, including route survey operations for mine countermeasures, search and recovery missions, hydrographic and geophysical survey work, offshore infrastructure inspection, and environmental habitat mapping. The motion-tolerant design addresses performance challenges associated with UUV operations, where vehicle dynamics can affect sonar stability.
The announcement positions the system as suitable for missions requiring both speed and image quality. The company emphasizes compatibility with its SonarPro NXT software platform for data review, playback, and analysis.
Klein Marine Systems, based in New Hampshire, provides underwater sonar systems to military, commercial, and scientific users. The company’s products are used in more than 80 countries, with applications ranging from naval mine countermeasures to seafloor mapping and subsea infrastructure monitoring.
The MANTIS UUV enters a market where autonomous underwater systems are seeing increased adoption across defense and commercial sectors. Requirements for longer-duration missions, reduced crew dependency, and real-time data processing continue to drive demand for compact, efficient sensor packages that can operate reliably on autonomous platforms.
