Kraken Robotics Inc.‘s wholly owned subsidiary, Kraken Robotic Systems Inc., has been selected by the U.S. Office of the Secretary of Defense, Comparative Test Office, to participate in a Foreign Comparative Testing (FCT) program in support of a U.S. Navy Program of Record managed by the Naval Sea Systems Command, EOD Program Office.

The FCT is designed to test selected foreign technologies as evaluated by U.S. military operators, with a view to future procurement. 

The contract value is $0.9 million. Under this contract, Kraken will integrate its AquaPix MINSAS sensor on a man-portable AUV owned by the U.S. Navy.

Man-portable AUVs make up the largest deployment of all AUV classes worldwide. The U.S. Navy and its allies continue to invest in man-portable AUVs, which utilize a range of sonar technologies.

Kraken’s AquaPix MINSAS synthetic aperture sonar sensor is currently offered in the MINSAS 60, 120, 180 and 240 configurations and has been traditionally integrated to medium- and large-size AUVs and towfish.

As part of this FCT contract, Kraken will optimize the MINSAS 60 sensor for small, man-portable AUVs while offering a significant increase in capability and performance for man-portable platforms.