Katana

Katana overview

The Katana is an unmanned surface vessel developed by Kraken Robotics, a Canadian marine technology company. Designed primarily for mine countermeasures and seabed survey operations, the Katana serves as an autonomous surface platform that can deploy and recover underwater sensors and AUVs. The vessel integrates Kraken's advanced synthetic aperture sonar technology for high-resolution underwater mapping and mine detection.

The Katana system is part of the growing trend toward unmanned mine countermeasures, replacing traditional methods that put manned vessels and divers at risk. As of 2025, Kraken Robotics has been developing the Katana alongside its other products for naval and commercial customers. The system has been evaluated by the Royal Canadian Navy and other allied navies for potential adoption. Its significance lies in demonstrating the concept of unmanned surface-to-subsurface sensing, where a USV autonomously deploys and manages underwater sensors to create a comprehensive picture of the subsurface environment, enabling mine detection and classification without risking human life.

Armament

Modular payload: loitering munitions, EW suite, ISR sensors

Development and operational timeline

1. Mar 2019Kraken Robotics announces Katana USV development
2. Nov 2020Katana prototype completes initial sea trials
3. May 2022Katana demonstrates autonomous mine hunting operations
4. Sep 2023Royal Canadian Navy evaluates Katana for MCM role
5. Jul 2024Kraken advances Katana development with improved autonomy