According the DALO, the $36 million procurement contract is for four Katfish 180 towed SAS sonars, four automatic launch and recovery systems (ALARS), system integration and other updates that are required on systems connected to the mine clearance capability. Training, support and spare parts are included in the order.
Katfish sonars will replace the current and older systems on the RDN’s four MSF-class MCM vessels. “The procurement takes place after a lengthy tender process, discussions and user testing of systems from a total of four pre-qualified companies in collaboration with representatives from the Navy Command and the Navy Minesweeping Division,” the DALO says.
This was a very competitive process and we are proud to have been selected. We are looking forward to a long-term relationship with the Danish Navy. As part of its commitment to Denmark, Kraken will be expanding its European presence with the establishment of a new Danish Centre of Excellence in Mine Counter Measures.
Karl Kenny, Kraken President and CEO
The four MSF-class current system has been used since the 1990s for both manned and unmanned remote-controlled maritime ammunition and demining operations (MCM). On the MSF-class, remote control of the side scan sonar is performed either from a mobile container-based system located on board a support unit associated with the task, or from one of the two Holm-class multirole boats (MSD 5-6).
“The ability to recognize conditions below sea level on Danish maritime territory is as ever considered a vital task of the Royal Danish Navy and its MCM forces. After a lengthy and rigorous procurement process the Royal Danish Navy has selected Kraken’s KATFISH™ 180 system as its future main mine hunting sensor. A modern sensor, which within the months to come is to be fully integrated in to the Danish MCM modular concept of unmanned and remotely controlled MCM drones.
Head of the Maritime Division within DALO, Captain (RDN) Kim Bo Meier
Delivery of the four systems is expected for 2022-2023, the DALO adds.
A Katfish system consists of an remotely controlled smart towfish, SAS imaging, bathymetry and gap-filler sonars, launch and recovery system, operator console, and visualization software. Thanks to its synthetic aperture sonar technology, the Katfish acquires over 3 billion pixels per 3km2 per hour of area coverage rate, which is « 30 times more detail than conventional side scan sonar », according KRSI.
