KraitSense in Portuguese Navy sea trials

SEA’s Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) system has successfully completed sea trials with the Portuguese Navy, the company announced on 31 October.

Carried out as part of Exercise REP (Maritime Unmanned Systems) 19, the trails saw the KraitSense low-profile passive sonar system detect, track and classify a submarine whilst deployed from a Portuguese Navy offshore patrol vessel (OPV).

KraitSense was installed onto the OPV in two days at the dockside. To enable the effective analysis of the ASW environment, SEA’s sonar analysis and integrated maritime awareness software provided by OSI was also installed and fully integrated with the vessel’s other data systems.

Exercise REP (MUS) 19 offers an opportunity for participants to test and evaluate new surface and subsurface capabilities for NATO countries in realistic military operating conditions.

SEA’s KraitSense System is a complete anti-submarine warfare solution, featuring a low profile miniaturised acoustic array suitable for towed and static applications on both manned and unmanned vessels. With low power consumption, drag and weight, the capability is designed to offer a low-cost solution suitable for smaller ships and unmanned vessels.

Peter Hodgkinson, business development director at SEA, said: ‘Exercise REP (MUS) 19 was the first end to end deployment of the KraitSense system and the feedback that we’ve received from military personnel at the event has been very positive. From the system’s ease of integration and installation to its unique operational configuration, the KraitArray’s flexibility, small footprint and ability to detect, track and classify a quiet electric submarine was a true demonstration of the solution’s capability.’