Above: KraitShield will include SEA’s successful pneumatic launchers
 
Unveiled for the first time at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA ‘17), the system comprises a modular family of detection and countermeasures solutions that use common software to integrate SEA’s proven range in decoy and torpedo launchers with the lightweight KraitArray.

 
The cost and size of traditional towed array systems, makes them an expensive option for many navies, both in terms of the cost of acquisition and the platform that is required to operate them. The Krait Defence System offers an innovative alterative; the system is cheaper to acquire and support as well as being operable from small ships such as patrol craft and OPVs. The system is designed such that it can be retrofitted either permanently or as a role fit solution.
 
The Krait Defence System has four versions of the suite under the banners KraitSense, KraitSearch, KraitShield and KraitStrike.
 
SEA Managing Director Steve Hill explained: “It is often physically and operationally impractical for smaller ships to carry a larger diameter towed line array system. KraitArray’s smaller diameter provides effective ASW capability and can be operated from a conventional ship or unmanned assets. By integrating the sonar capability with SEA’s decoy and torpedo launchers, using common configurable software, ships can be fitted with a complete ASW solution.”
 
KraitSense utilises the ASW technology as a passive acoustic towed array employing a conventional deck mounted module, housing a tow cable and handling system. Benefits include low power consumption, small diameter, low weight and low drag. The resulting 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 based on proven technology and single sourced hardware and software.
 
KraitShield elevates the system to a higher level by introducing defensive countermeasures, utilising an acoustic Firefly decoy or other hardware fired from SEA’s pneumatic launchers, which have attracted interest from several navies around the world. Benefits of this system include the ability to programme different acoustic decoy waveforms and to quickly and safely deploy the acoustic countermeasure into the water without the need for additional energetics.
 
The highest level of capability is afforded by KraitStrike which builds upon the system by adding SEA’s lightweight torpedo launch system. The launcher, which can be configured to launch a wide range of NATO standard torpedoes, is proven in service and delivers an effective response for deflecting threats. KraitStrike maximises the use of state of the art control electronics, which are common to the decoy launcher, therefore reducing training and operator burden.
 
“Our family of KraitArray systems is under constant development and we have already sold several around the world, including Europe and the US where it has demonstrated its value as a highly capable ASW asset, deployed both from conventional craft and unmanned surface vessels,” added KraitArray Product Manager Alex Key. “The introduction of the Krait Defence System builds upon the proven KraitArray to increase the capability of its passive sensing and augments it with scalable options for active target localisation, acoustic countermeasures and torpedo launching.”