Kraken secures sonar system order from major defence contractor

ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—Kraken Sonar Inc. has received a $1.5 million order from a major international defence contractor for a KATFISH sonar system. Though Kraken said the client’s name cannot be disclosed due to the sensitivity of its business, it added with spare parts and support, the contract’s value could exceed $2 million.

“This is a very significant award for us and demonstrates that KATFISH is a key objective in delivering on our ‘sensors-to-systems’ strategy,” Karl Kenny, president and CEO of Kraken, said. “This contract further establishes Kraken’s underwater technologies in the Unmanned Maritime Systems industry and positions us for future contracts on UMS platforms.”

The Newfoundland-based firm’s ‘KATFISH’ is a towfish platform used to generate real-time, ultra-high resolution seabed imagery and maps for a variety of military and commercial applications. Kraken said the system’s primary sensors are based on its Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Sonar technology, real-time Synthetic Aperture Sonar processing algorithms and acoustic velocity sensors. While conventional side-scan systems are limited to a short range, KATFISH provides constant resolution at a very long range, the company said.

Kraken also noted its sonar and underwater systems target the Unmanned Maritime Systems, or marine drone market. It said the contract could put the company in a strong position in the growing industry.