Rheinmetall, Kraken Move K3 Scout Unmanned Vessel Into Serial Production

Rheinmetall has started serial production of the Kraken K3 Scout unmanned surface vessel, marking the industrial rollout of a platform designed for both military and civilian maritime use.

The system is being developed through a joint venture with the UK-based Kraken Technology Group, now operating as Rheinmetall Kraken GmbH.

Demand for deployable unmanned surface platforms across multiple operational roles is a key driver behind the partnership, Rheinmetall emphasized.

Production is based at the Blohm+Voss facility in Hamburg, northern Germany, which Rheinmetall is positioning as a center for testing and development of autonomous maritime systems.

Initial output is planned at around 200 units per year, with the potential to scale production, depending on demand, to up to 1,000 units annually.

The Kraken K3 Scout is an 8.4-meter (27.6-foot) vessel capable of speeds of up to 55 knots (about 102 kilometers/63 miles per hour).

It can be configured for operations such as maritime surveillance and infrastructure protection, as well as for use as a weapons-carrying platform.

Additional mission profiles include logistics support, casualty evacuation, and maritime security operations in littoral environments.

The platform has a maximum displacement of 2,500 kilograms (5,512 pounds) and can carry payloads of up to 600 kilograms (1,323 pounds).

It is powered by an inboard diesel engine with a stern drive configuration.

At a cruising speed of 25 knots (46 kilometers/29 miles per hour), the vessel has a range of approximately 650 nautical miles (1,204 kilometers/748 miles).

Endurance can extend up to 30 days, depending on mission profile and payload configuration.

The vessel is built with a composite structure and operates fully autonomously, with the option to operate remotely.

It uses an open architecture software framework based on the Auterion operating system, allowing integration of different autonomy functions and third-party systems.

Sensor configurations include electro-optical systems, radar, and sonar.