Klein Marine Systems targets autonomous undersea market with new uncrewed platform
Klein Marine Systems has introduced the Mantis UUV, an integrated multi-channel sonar system engineered specifically for uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs). The launch signals the company's strategic push into the rapidly expanding autonomous maritime sector. Klein Marine Systems is a global supplier of sidescan sonar and underwater imaging technology.
The system addresses a growing operational challenge in undersea autonomy: the need for high-fidelity imaging and real-time data processing within the severe size, power and payload constraints that define UUV platform design. Mantis UUV combines latest-generation sonar components with onboard processing capabilities including dynamic focusing, multiple-look processing and adaptive beamforming, delivering consistent, high-resolution imagery across variable survey ranges and speeds. The company positions the output as particularly well-suited for machine learning and AI-assisted analysis workflows, which are a priority as defence and commercial operators move towards greater autonomy in subsea operations.
Payload capacity
Central to the system's value proposition is Klein's proprietary SmartArray technology, an architecture that embeds key electronics directly within the transducer array. The design reduces the overall system footprint and lowers power consumption, preserving payload capacity, which is a critical consideration for operators managing the trade-offs inherent in UUV deployment.
Target applications span both defence and commercial verticals, including route survey, mine countermeasures, search and recovery, hydrographic and geophysical survey, offshore infrastructure inspection and environmental mapping. Ethernet-based connectivity is intended to ease integration with existing UUV platforms and support real-time review, playback and analysis at the operator level.
"Innovation has always been at the heart of everything we do at Klein," said Ted Curley, executive vice president and general manager of Klein Marine Systems. "With the Mantis UUV, we are bringing advanced imaging performance, onboard processing and practical integration together in a way that supports the future of autonomous underwater operations."
The announcement comes as defence agencies and offshore energy operators alike increase investment in uncrewed underwater systems, creating demand for capable, space-efficient sensor payloads that can keep pace with evolving mission requirements.
