Rheinmetall Begins Serial Production of Kraken K3 Unmanned Surface Vessel

Series production of the Kraken K3 Scout unmanned surface vessel (USV) has begun at Rheinmetall’s Blohm+Voss site in Hamburg.

Depending on the configuration, the vessels can be used for maritime surveillance, protection of critical infrastructure, or as weapons carriers in military operations.

The joint venture established last year between Rheinmetall Naval Systems and the British tech company Kraken Technology Group will now operate under the name “Rheinmetall Kraken GmbH.” The partnership addresses the growing global demand for market-available unmanned platforms of various sizes.

The Kraken K3 USV is capable of speeds of up to 55 knots, measure 8.4 metres in length, and are individually configurable.

“Production of the Kraken K3 Scout is initially designed for around 200 units per year. Depending on the order volume, we can scale up production to as many as 1,000 units annually,” says Tim Wagner, CEO of Rheinmetall’s Naval Systems division.

With five locations in Germany, the Naval Systems division specialises in the construction of complex naval and coast guard vessels and is a pioneer in the development of unmanned and autonomous surface systems.

Mal Crease, CEO of Kraken Technology Group said: “The formation of Rheinmetall Kraken GmbH combines the scale, expertise and reach of a longstanding defence leader with an agile, innovative maritime technology company.  This will ensure that production of Kraken’s K3 Scout can scale to meet exponentially growing operational requirements.”