Mr. Greg Reid reports

KRAKEN ROBOTICS MINEHUNTING SYSTEMS OPERATIONAL WITH THE ROYAL DANISH NAVY

Kraken Robotics Inc. has completed all deliveries and noted the successful sea acceptance of all systems for its mine-hunting sonar equipment under the Royal Danish Navy mine-hunting sonar upgrade program. This contract was signed in September, 2020, following a competitive bidding process. Under the contract with the Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization (DALO), Kraken has delivered four complete turnkey mine-hunting systems, with each system consisting of a Katfish towed synthetic aperture sonar, Tentacle winch, and autonomous launch and recovery system (ALARS), topside command and control equipment, and remote operation and monitoring capability for standoff mine-hunting operations.

Starting in 2022, the Katfish mine-hunting systems were integrated onboard the Royal Danish Navy's optionally uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), the MSF-class. Kraken worked closely with MCM Denmark operators and workshop technicians, as well as skilled local Danish shipyard JOBI to install Kraken's DNV-design-approved autonomous launch and recovery system onto the MSF-class, in parallel with the MSF-class planned midlife refit. Kraken also integrated the Katfish system with Saab's command and control (C2) software, providing operators with a seamless experience for mission planning and mission monitoring. The inclusion of Kongsberg's maritime broadband radio (MBR) enables the complete system to operate remotely, streaming full-resolution sonar imagery in real time, at ranges exceeding line of sight.

In 2023, Kraken also entered in a seven-year sustainment contract with DALO, with options for two further seven-year extensions, for a total possible 21 years of sustainment. The sustainment program includes regularly scheduled maintenance, repair and overhaul, as well as provision of training and spare parts, and the delivery of regular capability enhancements through software updates. Throughout 2024, Kraken will also be delivering additional spares, including spare tow cables and two spare Katfish tow bodies.

Kraken has developed and delivered extensive training programs with the MCM Denmark team, including onboard operator, onboard maintainer and depot maintainer training certification programs. As of 2024, the Royal Danish Navy will have completed its first full year of Katfish operations, with an undisclosed large number of operational hours. Commander (Navy) K.P. Hansen, commanding officer of MCM Denmark, said: "Our operators have been extremely pleased with the performance of the Katfish system, including the ability for safe automated remote launch and recovery. The addition of this valuable high-resolution, high-speed seabed survey tool to our MCM toolbox has provided our operators with an invaluable capability in seabed warfare. Our mission to provide safety and security in Danish waters has been bolstered by this capability, and we look forward to many years of successful operations with the Kraken systems."

The head of the maritime division within DALO, Captain (RDN) Jakob Damgaard Rousoe noted in February, 2024: "The process of integrating the Kraken Katfish sonar into the Danish MCM forces is coming to an end and it is anticipated that the MCM capacity will reach full operational capability (FOC) within the first half of 2024. An extremely extensive and close co-ordinated work has been put into the system integration from all stakeholders. This has resulted in many days and hours onboard the small MCM drones at the Naval base in Frederikshavn. I have followed the work closely and I am very pleased with the overall result. A very impressive sensor providing very detailed images that will increase the detection and classification probability of mine-like echoes significantly. Well done to all."

About Kraken Robotics Inc.

Kraken Robotics is a marine technology company providing complex subsea sensors, batteries and robotic systems. The company's high-resolution 3-D acoustic imaging solutions and services enable clients to overcome the challenges in the world's oceans -- safely, efficiently and sustainably. Kraken Robotics is headquartered in Canada and has offices in North America, South America and Europe. Kraken is ranked as a top 100 marine technology company by Marine Technology Reporter.

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