New MA-X Patent-pending Technology Allows for Seamless Imaging of The Entire Swath, Including The Nadir Area

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Original Press Release:

Mitcham Industries Announces Revolutionary New Patent-pending Technology that Could Redefine Ocean Imaging

Huntsville, Texas, April 8, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Mitcham Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: MIND) ("Mitcham" or "the Company") today announced that Klein Marine Systems, a division of Mitcham, has developed a revolutionary, new, patent-pending technology called MA-X that is anticipated to redefine ocean imaging.

Traditional side scan sonar imaging creates a nadir gap in the center of the image.  This gap in data requires overlapping survey lines which leads to significant additional survey time to achieve 100% coverage.  For the operators of autonomous underwater vehicles ("AUV"), this translates into extended mission duration. Traditional "gap-filler" solutions tend to be expensive or of low image quality.  A cost-effective gap-filler solution has long been sought by the industry.

MA-X is essentially the next generation of side scan sonar whose arrays are physically mounted at an angle relative to the towfish or AUV platform. In this way, each narrow fan-beam is oriented at a downward and forward-grazing angle, resulting in an acoustic track over the sea bottom that starts from the port and starboard side and extends diagonally forward across the nadir ahead of the platform.  MA-X allows for seamless imaging of the entire swath, including the nadir area. Klein believes this technology will provide unmatched image quality and an estimated 40% increase in the coverage rate and survey efficiency (i.e. fuel, survey time).

Guy Malden, Co-CEO of Mitcham Industries, commented, "In our opinion, MA-X represents a paradigm shift in seafloor imaging. We believe it to be a cost-effective, attractive and low-risk gap-filling sonar solution, capable of being immediately adopted on AUVs of all sizes – even in conjunction with other manufacturers' sonars, including SAS. This MA-X technology should provide Klein with an attractive value proposition and the ability to rapidly expand its penetration of the AUV and towed side scan sonar market."

The immediate benefits to the users of the MA-X technology, both military and commercial, are shorter survey time and more predictable surveys in windows of good weather.  For AUV operators, this translates into either longer autonomy or smaller size battery, i.e., lower cost or more payload space. In addition, the MA-X imagery has the same interpretative characteristics as side scan images (grazing angle, shadows) and therefore, no operator re-training is needed. 

MA-X-based products will continue to output Klein's SDF data format and will be compatible with major third-party imaging software applications, including automatic target recognition software.  The MA-X technology will be introduced in a variety of Klein products, including both towed systems and payloads for autonomous platforms.

About Mitcham Industries

Mitcham Industries, Inc. provides technology to the oceanographic, hydrographic, defense, seismic and security industries.   Headquartered in Huntsville, Texas, Mitcham has a global presence with operating locations in the United States, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Hungary, Colombia and the United Kingdom. Mitcham's worldwide Marine Technology Products segment, which includes its Seamap and Klein Marine Systems units, designs, manufactures and sells specialized, high performance, marine sonar and seismic equipment. Through its Equipment Leasing segment, Mitcham believes it is the largest independent provider of exploration equipment to the seismic industry.

Contacts:

Rob Capps, Co-CEO

Mitcham Industries, Inc.

936-291-2277

Jack Lascar / Mark Roberson

Dennard Lascar Investor Relations

713-529-6600

Source Mitcham Industries, Inc.

Web Site: http://www.mitchamindustries.com