KATFISH in new trials. Kraken Robotics demonstrated the mine system

Kraken Robotics conducted a demonstration of the KATFISH mine system during trials carried out in the first quarter of 2026 off the coast of Istanbul. They used the Turkish unmanned submarine RD-22 from SEFINE, checking the detection and classification of mine-like objects and monitoring of marine underwater infrastructure.

Co-operation of sonar with unmanned water vehicle

In this information the most important is not only the sonar itself KATFISH, but also the way it is used from an unmanned water vehicle. According to the manufacturer, the system cooperated with the autonomous system of leaving the sonar into the water and taking it after the mission was completed, and the data were sent on an ongoing basis to a command post on land. Operators conducted the classification of detected objects using SEFINE SISAM mission planning software.

Kraken also stated that the system provided 3 × 3 cm resolution imaging at a range of 200 m per board. From a mine-based point of view, this means the ability to quickly check the bottom and detect suspicious objects without engaging immediately a manned unit.

Not only sonar is important, but also the way it is used

For towed systems one of the most difficult elements remains their safe handling at sea. Sonar must be lowered to water, led during the mission and then taken on board. Therefore, a demonstration with RD-22 is more important than it might seem at first glance.

It is no longer just the parameters of the device itself, but whether the entire set can be used regularly by the Navy. Such solutions are intended to enable mine and bottom surveillance to be carried out at a lower risk to the crew.

Importantly, it was not the first test of this kind. Kraken recalled that the same set of KATFISH and USV LARS had already been demonstrated from an 11-meter unmanned ARCIMS submarine used by the Royal Navy. This shows that the company is developing a solution that can be integrated into different platforms.

KATFISH is already known in Poland

This information also has a Polish context. Kraken systems are already present in the min destroyer program type Cormoran II. In September 2020, the company informed about the contract for delivery for the Polish Navy of a set comprising KATFISH, Tentacle winch and ALARS system, intended for new mine units built in Gdańsk.

Therefore, the latest demonstration from Turkey does not need to be treated as exotic curiosity. It is rather another stage of development of the solution, which is already well known from the Polish mine programme.

The growing role of unmanned systems

The show by Kraken Robotics and SEFINE does not yet mean a breakthrough in maritime activities. However, it shows a clear direction of development. Systems will play an increasingly important role, allowing for bottom surveillance, detect objects mino-like and control the underwater infrastructure area without putting manned units on the first risk line.

From the perspective of the Baltic and the future of mine-mining activities, this is the direction we will be looking at.