SEA develops small ASW system

SEA has developed a small anti-submarine warfare (ASW) solution based on its thin line KraitArray towed sonar, the company announced on 21 March.

The Krait Defence System comprises a modular family of detection and countermeasures solutions that use common software to integrate SEA's range of decoy and torpedo launchers with the lightweight KraitArray.

The solution has been developed to target requirements for low-cost systems that can operate from small ships such as patrol craft and offshore patrol vessels, as well as unmanned assets. It can be retrofitted either permanently or installed as a role fit solution.

The Krait Defence System has four versions of the suite: KraitSense, KraitSearch, KraitShield and KraitStrike.

KraitSense utilises the ASW technology as a passive acoustic towed array employing a conventional deck mounted module, housing a tow cable and handling system. With low power consumption, small diameter, low weight and low drag, data is managed through an operator console housing SEA processing software.

KraitSearch configures the sonar to take on an active acoustic search and target localisation, employing an active source and active sonar processing software.

KraitShield adds defensive countermeasures, utilising an acoustic Firefly decoy or other hardware fired from SEA's pneumatic launchers. Different acoustic decoy waveforms can be programmed to quickly and safely deploy the acoustic countermeasure into the water without the need for additional energetics.

KraitStrike builds upon the system by adding SEA's lightweight torpedo launch system. The launcher can be configured to launch a wide range of NATO standard torpedoes as an effective response for deflecting threats.

According to KraitArray product manager, Alex Key, several systems from the KraitArray family have already been sold.