Profiling Sonar
Discover cutting-edge solutions from 8 leading global suppliers
Kraken Robotics Inc. is launching a synthetic aperture sonar (SAS) service for the global offshore energy sector, with the commercial services team set to offer dedicated KATFISH towed SAS systems for rental beginning in July 2025.
Kraken’s KATFISH towed SAS debuted as a product seven years ago. Since then, it has been used around the world for applications ranging from mine countermeasure operations to critical underwater infrastructure inspection and harbor surveys.
The system offers real-time 3 cm × 3 cm resolution with a range of up to 200 meters per side, providing some of the industry’s highest area coverage rates. The high resolution of Kraken’s SAS helps to de-risk projects by enabling differentiation between manmade and natural contacts and by identifying small contacts that may be on or near infrastructure.
Kraken’s SAS service was recently selected by Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult—one of the UK’s leading technology innovation and research centers for offshore renewable energy—to be part of its Launch Academy. Through Launch Academy, Kraken will gain access to world-class testing and research programs, as well as opportunities to collaborate with industry, academia, and government to position its SAS survey services for the offshore wind industry.
With the recent acquisition of 3D at Depth, Kraken Robotics now operates a global offshore services business out of the UK and the US. Kraken’s global SAS services will operate out of its Aberdeen, UK office, where it also provides sub-seabed imaging services using its Sub-Bottom Imager™ and Acoustic Corer™ technologies.
Lynne Adu, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Kraken, commented, “While the KATFISH has been used successfully as a service in the defense market for many years, we are pleased to have multiple assets we can introduce to the commercial market. SAS offers a significant increase in resolution and range compared to sidescan sonar, and there is already significant interest for applications like pre- and post- offshore construction survey and underwater infrastructure inspection.”
Chris Almond, Vice President of Business Development for Kraken’s services, added, “Over the next 20 years, we are expected to see a five times increase in demand for commercial survey services in the offshore wind industry. At the same time, we are being challenged to decrease our carbon footprint. The KATFISH system can survey larger areas faster than current solutions, decreasing the amount of vessel time needed and therefore reducing carbon production with the added benefit of decreased survey costs.”
