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The latest news and updates from companies in the WLTH portfolio.
'Kraken-like' giant octopuses 100m years ago crunched bones of prey
Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Giant "kraken-like" octopuses that used powerful beaks to crunch through bones of prey were among the most formidable predators of the Cretaceous oceans, according to research. Analysis of dozens of newly identified fossils reveals that some ancient octopus species reached up to 19 metres in length, meaning they would have rivalled - and possibly even preyed upon - apex predators such as mosasaurs and plesiosaurs. Distinct wear patterns on the enormous fossilised beaks, which date back up to 100m years, suggest they would have routinely crushed hard bones and shells. "Our study shows that these were not simply large versions of modern octopuses," said Dr Yasuhiro Iba, a palaeontologist at Hokkaido University and lead author of the research. "They were giant predators at the very top of the Cretaceous marine food web. This changes the view that Cretaceous seas were dominated only by large vertebrate predators." Until now, relatively little has been known about ancient octopuses, whose soft bodies are very rarely preserved as fossils. The study relied on detailed analysis of fossilised beaks, a hard, structure that is the only rigid part of an octopus's body. The team re-examined 15 large fossil beaks that had previously been assigned as vampire squids, but which the latest analysis concludes belonged to a group of ancient octopus relatives known as Nanaimoteuthis. Using digital imaging, the team also uncovered an additional 12 octopus beaks hidden within Cretaceous rocks, dating to 72m to 100m years ago. One species, Nanaimoteuthis haggarti, was found to have a beak larger than that of the modern giant squid, a creature that reaches about 12 metres in length and until now had been regarded the largest known invertebrate. By using the relationship between jaw size and body length in modern finned octopuses, the team estimated that N haggarti was between 7 and 19 metres in total length, which could make it the largest invertebrate on record. Dr Thomas Clements, a palaeobiologist at the University of Reading, who was not involved in the research, said: "To see a beak this size is quite amazing, to be honest. It was a massive animal. I certainly wouldn't have wanted to go swimming in the ancient oceans if these things were swimming around." Modern octopuses do not swallow prey whole but use their long, flexible arms to capture and subdue the prey and then dismantle it with their beak. The ancient specimens showed distinct patterns of wear that pointed to a similar predation strategy. In the largest individuals, the beaks showed extensive wear, with once sharp features, as seen in small juveniles, becoming blunted and rounded over time, and chips and scratches also visible. Iba said: "It probably used its long arms to seize prey and its powerful lower jaw to crush hard structures such as shells or bones. The strong wear on the jaws indicates frequent processing of hard prey." This would have included bony fish, shelled animals and, possibly, giant marine reptiles such as mosasaurs, which would have been comparable in size. Clements said: "Whenever you see artistic reconstructions, it's always a vertebrate eating a cephalopod. It is quite nice to imagine an octopus eating a large vertebrate for once. As a cephalopod researcher I'm very excited to see invertebrates that may have rivalled vertebrates." The beaks appeared more worn on one side more than the other - evidence of so-called lateralised behaviour. This suggests they may have had arm preferences (handedness) for specific tasks, as modern octopuses do, favouring some arms for exploration and others for feeding. Iba said: "This indicates that these animals were not only powerful, but also behaviourally sophisticated predators." The findings are published in the journal Science.
'Kraken-like' giant octopuses 100m years ago crunched bones of prey - AOL
Giant "kraken-like" octopuses that used powerful beaks to crunch through bones of prey were among the most formidable predators of the Cretaceous oceans, according to research. Analysis of dozens of newly identified fossils reveals that some ancient octopus species reached up to 19 metres in length, meaning they would have rivalled - and possibly even preyed upon - apex predators such as mosasaurs and plesiosaurs. Distinct wear patterns on the enormous fossilised beaks, which date back up to 100m years, suggest they would have routinely crushed hard bones and shells. "Our study shows that these were not simply large versions of modern octopuses," said Dr Yasuhiro Iba, a palaeontologist at Hokkaido University and lead author of the research. "They were giant predators at the very top of the Cretaceous marine food web. This changes the view that Cretaceous seas were dominated only by large vertebrate predators." Until now, relatively little has been known about ancient octopuses, whose soft bodies are very rarely preserved as fossils. The study relied on detailed analysis of fossilised beaks, a hard, structure that is the only rigid part of an octopus's body. The team re-examined 15 large fossil beaks that had previously been assigned as vampire squids, but which the latest analysis concludes belonged to a group of ancient octopus relatives known as Nanaimoteuthis. Using digital imaging, the team also uncovered an additional 12 octopus beaks hidden within Cretaceous rocks, dating to 72m to 100m years ago. One species, Nanaimoteuthis haggarti, was found to have a beak larger than that of the modern giant squid, a creature that reaches about 12 metres in length and until now had been regarded the largest known invertebrate. By using the relationship between jaw size and body length in modern finned octopuses, the team estimated that N haggarti was between 7 and 19 metres in total length, which could make it the largest invertebrate on record. Dr Thomas Clements, a palaeobiologist at the University of Reading, who was not involved in the research, said: "To see a beak this size is quite amazing, to be honest. It was a massive animal. I certainly wouldn't have wanted to go swimming in the ancient oceans if these things were swimming around." Modern octopuses do not swallow prey whole but use their long, flexible arms to capture and subdue the prey and then dismantle it with their beak. The ancient specimens showed distinct patterns of wear that pointed to a similar predation strategy. In the largest individuals, the beaks showed extensive wear, with once sharp features, as seen in small juveniles, becoming blunted and rounded over time, and chips and scratches also visible. Iba said: "It probably used its long arms to seize prey and its powerful lower jaw to crush hard structures such as shells or bones. The strong wear on the jaws indicates frequent processing of hard prey." This would have included bony fish, shelled animals and, possibly, giant marine reptiles such as mosasaurs, which would have been comparable in size. Clements said: "Whenever you see artistic reconstructions, it's always a vertebrate eating a cephalopod. It is quite nice to imagine an octopus eating a large vertebrate for once. As a cephalopod researcher I'm very excited to see invertebrates that may have rivalled vertebrates." The beaks appeared more worn on one side more than the other - evidence of so-called lateralised behaviour. This suggests they may have had arm preferences (handedness) for specific tasks, as modern octopuses do, favouring some arms for exploration and others for feeding. Iba said: "This indicates that these animals were not only powerful, but also behaviourally sophisticated predators."
Unveiling the Mighty Cretaceous Kraken: A Look into Ancient Oceans | Science-Environment
Recent research has uncovered fossils of an enormous octopus-like creature, Nanaimoteuthis haggarti, from the Cretaceous period. This ancient sea predator, dubbed the 'Cretaceous Kraken,' ranged from 22 to 61 feet in length and shared the ocean with large reptiles and sharks, challenging previous notions of ancient marine ecosystems. New research has identified a stunning ancient sea predator, Nanaimoteuthis haggarti, often likened to a real-life Kraken from Norse mythology. Fossils of its large beaks reveal that these octopuses, which lived during the Cretaceous period, were as long as 61 feet and operated as apex predators in their ancient ecosystem. The study, led by paleontologist Yasuhiro Iba from Hokkaido University, was published in the journal Science. Iba describes these creatures as remarkable, highlighting their size, powerful jaws, and sophisticated behavior. The findings challenge the dominant narrative of prehistoric marine ecosystems being ruled solely by large vertebrate predators. The well-preserved beaks, crucial for estimating their size, indicate that these octopuses were adept hunters, capturing large fish and shelled creatures. Their remains were found in Japan and Canada's Vancouver Island, showing significant wear from predatory activities. The revelations provide a new perspective on the complexity of ancient ocean ecosystems where giant invertebrates thrived alongside marine reptiles and sharks.
'Kraken-like' giant octopuses 100m years ago crunched bones of prey
Study of fossilised beaks shows patterns of wear and suggests some ancient species were up to 19 metres long Giant "kraken-like" octopuses that used powerful beaks to crunch through bones of prey were among the most formidable predators of the Cretaceous oceans, according to research. Analysis of dozens of newly identified fossils reveals that some ancient octopus species reached up to 19 metres in length, meaning they would have rivalled - and possibly even preyed upon - apex predators such as mosasaurs and plesiosaurs. Distinct wear patterns on the enormous fossilised beaks, which date back up to 100m years, suggest they would have routinely crushed hard bones and shells. "Our study shows that these were not simply large versions of modern octopuses," said Dr Yasuhiro Iba, a palaeontologist at Hokkaido University and lead author of the research. "They were giant predators at the very top of the Cretaceous marine food web. This changes the view that Cretaceous seas were dominated only by large vertebrate predators." Until now, relatively little has been known about ancient octopuses, whose soft bodies are very rarely preserved as fossils. The study relied on detailed analysis of fossilised beaks, a hard, structure that is the only rigid part of an octopus's body. The team re-examined 15 large fossil beaks that had previously been assigned as vampire squids, but which the latest analysis concludes belonged to a group of ancient octopus relatives known as Nanaimoteuthis. Using digital imaging, the team also uncovered an additional 12 octopus beaks hidden within Cretaceous rocks, dating to 72m to 100m years ago. One species, Nanaimoteuthis haggarti, was found to have a beak larger than that of the modern giant squid, a creature that reaches about 12 metres in length and until now had been regarded the largest known invertebrate. By using the relationship between jaw size and body length in modern finned octopuses, the team estimated that N haggarti was between 7 and 19 metres in total length, which could make it the largest invertebrate on record. Dr Thomas Clements, a palaeobiologist at the University of Reading, who was not involved in the research, said: "To see a beak this size is quite amazing, to be honest. It was a massive animal. I certainly wouldn't have wanted to go swimming in the ancient oceans if these things were swimming around." Modern octopuses do not swallow prey whole but use their long, flexible arms to capture and subdue the prey and then dismantle it with their beak. The ancient specimens showed distinct patterns of wear that pointed to a similar predation strategy. In the largest individuals, the beaks showed extensive wear, with once sharp features, as seen in small juveniles, becoming blunted and rounded over time, and chips and scratches also visible. Iba said: "It probably used its long arms to seize prey and its powerful lower jaw to crush hard structures such as shells or bones. The strong wear on the jaws indicates frequent processing of hard prey." This would have included bony fish, shelled animals and, possibly, giant marine reptiles such as mosasaurs, which would have been comparable in size. Clements said: "Whenever you see artistic reconstructions, it's always a vertebrate eating a cephalopod. It is quite nice to imagine an octopus eating a large vertebrate for once. As a cephalopod researcher I'm very excited to see invertebrates that may have rivalled vertebrates." The beaks appeared more worn on one side more than the other - evidence of so-called lateralised behaviour. This suggests they may have had arm preferences (handedness) for specific tasks, as modern octopuses do, favouring some arms for exploration and others for feeding. Iba said: "This indicates that these animals were not only powerful, but also behaviourally sophisticated predators."
Anduril Partners With Kraken Technology Group On Small USVs | Ocean News & Technology
Recent conflicts have rewritten the rules of naval warfare. Affordable, scalable unmanned systems now decide outcomes -- and the US Navy needs small USVs that carry flexible payloads exceeding 1,000 lbs, sustain extended operations, and roll off production lines fast. Current domestic offerings fall short. As Navy Secretary John Phelan told the Senate Armed Services Committee: "We will not win the wars of the future with the platforms of the past. Success in modern warfare will require the rapid, scalable production and integration of air, surface, and subsurface unmanned systems." Kraken Technology Group builds the answer. Anduril is partnering with Kraken to bring Kraken's proven family of small, high-performance, mass-producible USVs to the US Navy. Kraken's USVs offer uniquely high performance. With a heritage rooted in competitive offshore racing, Kraken's USVs have set the standard for speed and endurance at sea. They have already proven that performance under the UK's Project Beehive program, where it emerged as the small USV leader for European and partner nation customers. Anduril and Kraken are joining forces to deliver a family of small unmanned surface vehicles to the US Navy. Anduril will build the K5 KRAKEN and K7 SABRE at US facilities, and sustain and support the fleet. Anduril will integrate payloads and Lattice autonomy software on US soil, configuring each vessel for the full range of Navy missions. To meet allied demand, Kraken will continue a parallel production line, designing a distinct hull variant for allied operational requirements. Dominance at sea requires scale. Kraken's platform expertise plus Anduril's autonomy and domestic manufacturing deliver it.
Anduril, Kraken Scale Unmanned Vessels For Naval Dominance
Anduril Industries partnered with Kraken Technology Group to bring "small, high-performance, mass-producible" unmanned surface vessels (USVs) to the U.S. Navy. The partnership is designed to pair Kraken's autonomous boats with Anduril's defense stack. "This partnership reflects Kraken's commitment to supporting global maritime challenges with hardened operational capabilities at a critical point in history. Under this agreement, Kraken will deliver low-cost, scalable and modular systems that are both reliable and effective," said Mal Crease, founder and CEO of Kraken Technology Group. Under the agreement, Kraken's K7 SABRE and K5 KRAKEN USVs are slated to be produced and integrated in the U.S. through a licensing arrangement. The companies also plan to offer modular payload options intended to "improve flexibility and compatibility" for U.S. forces and NATO partners. "Kraken is known for its proven, battle-tested platforms. This partnership expands Anduril's family of autonomous surface offerings with small boats carrying mission payloads, adding a complementary capability to larger ASVs and the legacy fleet," said Cory Emmons, general manager of Surface Dominance, Anduril Industries. Photo: Shutterstock This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs To add Benzinga News as your preferred source on Google, click here.
Binance.US Launches Zero Trading Fees to Compete With Coinbase and Kraken - FinanceFeeds
Binance.US has reduced spot trading fees across all digital assets to near zero, introducing 0% maker fees and 0.02% taker fees on all trading pairs. The move marks one of the most aggressive pricing shifts among U.S.-based crypto exchanges. Maker fees apply to orders that add liquidity to the order book, while taker fees are charged when trades are executed immediately against existing orders. By eliminating maker fees entirely and sharply reducing taker costs, Binance.US is lowering the barrier for both active and passive traders. Unlike prior promotions, the updated pricing applies broadly, including low-volume traders and smaller transactions, removing tier-based advantages typically reserved for high-frequency participants. The pricing overhaul comes as the platform continues to recover from a prolonged slowdown following regulatory pressure in 2023. Binance.US suspended U.S. dollar deposits and withdrawals after a lawsuit from the Securities and Exchange Commission, effectively operating as a crypto-only platform for nearly two years. Although the SEC later dropped its civil case and fiat rails have since been restored, user activity has remained limited. Recent data shows Binance.US trailing significantly behind competitors, with daily trading volume far below both its global counterpart and major U.S. exchanges. "American crypto traders have been paying too much for too long," said Binance.US CEO Stephen Gregory. "Today we're proving that a fully regulated U.S. platform can also be the most affordable one, and that competition in this industry directly benefits consumers." The fee cut appears aimed at addressing this gap by drawing attention back to the platform and encouraging higher trading activity. Binance.US's revised fee structure undercuts most major competitors in the U.S. market. Coinbase, for example, applies a tiered system where retail traders can face taker fees of up to 60 basis points and maker fees of 40 basis points on smaller trades. The global Binance platform typically charges around 0.10% for both makers and takers, with discounts for high-volume users and token holders. By comparison, Binance.US is now offering materially lower costs even without volume-based incentives. This pricing shift places pressure on competitors, particularly as crypto exchanges are often criticized for charging higher fees than traditional brokerages. Lower fees may narrow that gap and reshape how exchanges compete for retail flow. Despite the pricing reset, Binance.US continues to operate from a weakened position following its regulatory and operational disruptions. Trading volumes remain low relative to peers, and rebuilding market share will require more than cost reductions. The platform also remains tied to broader legal and reputational developments linked to Binance. The company and former CEO Changpeng Zhao previously pleaded guilty to violations of the Bank Secrecy Act in a case brought by the Department of Justice, adding to the scrutiny surrounding its operations. Leadership changes have followed, with Stephen Gregory appointed CEO in March as part of efforts to stabilize the business and re-engage users. Whether fee reductions can translate into sustained growth will depend on the platform's ability to restore liquidity and compete on execution alongside pricing.
Kraken commences K3 USV production with Rheinmetall, partners with Anduril
An image of Kraken's K3 Scout USV accompanying Rheinmetall-Kraken's announcement of series production of the K3 on 20 April 2026. The image was likely taken during a demonstration in Hamburg in March 2026. (Rheinmetall Naval Systems) Rheinmetall Kraken GmbH has commenced series production of the K3 Scout unmanned surface vehicle (USV) at its Blohm+Voss site in Hamburg, Germany, the company said in a press release on 20 April 2026. In the press release, Tim Wagner, CEO of Rheinmetall's Naval Systems division said that "production of the Kraken K3 Scout is initially planned for around 200 units per year. Depending on order volume, we can ramp up production to up to 1,000 units annually." K3 production is intended to address "the increased global demand for commercially available unmanned platforms of varying sizes", the press release said. K3 is intended as a low-cost and low-signature USV featuring composite construction and diesel propulsion. The USV features a modular payload bay and can be configured according to customer requirements. The K3 Scouts in production in Hamburg are 8.5 m in length and capable of reaching speeds of 55 kt, indicating the K3 Scout Medium variant of the USV. Other versions of the USV include the 11 m K3 Scout Heavy and the 18.6 m K3 Scout Max. K3 can be used for civilian or military tasks including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), logistics, search-and-rescue (SAR), survey tasks, anti-surface warfare (ASuW), counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) missions, one-way attacks, and other kinetic missions. The Rheinmetall Kraken joint venture (JV) was originally announced between German shipyard Naval Vessels Lürssen (NVL) and British company Kraken Technology Group on 22 August 2025. In September 2025, it was announced that Rheinmetall was to acquire NVL with the transition concluded on 1 March 2026.
Polymarket launches trading of heavily leveraged 'perps' contracts
Prediction markets platform Polymarket is expanding into trading of perpetual futures contacts, the company said Tuesday. The announcement comes on the heels of a report from The Information that its main rival Kalshi has plans to offer crypto trading, including perpetuals. These are futures contracts that stay open indefinitely, allowing traders to hold leveraged exposure and exit anytime they want as long as they have enough funds to maintain it. Polymarket has not specified whether its offering will include crypto perpetual futures, but the company is highly crypto friendly. It's built on the Ethereum and Polygon blockchains and denominates trades primarily in the stablecoin USDC. Crypto traders were major drivers of Polymarket's meteoric rise in 2024. The move puts Kalshi -- and perhaps Polymarket, if its offering includes crypto perpetuals -- in more direct competition with Robinhood, Coinbase and Kraken, all of which have added prediction markets into their offerings in the past year, highlighting the value of young, speculative and risk-tolerant retail traders. While not widely available in the U.S., international perpetuals, or "perps," became especially popular among the crypto crowd in the industry's early years as a workaround to traditional finance limitations. Last year, the top Last year, the top centralized crypto exchanges registered $86.2 trillion in annual perps volume and 47% growth from the previous year, according to CoinGecko. By expanding into perps, Polymarket and Kalshi are tapping into derivatives trading at a time when cryptocurrency prices have stalled and trading activity has slowed - even if signs of longer-term institutional demand remain intact. Perps have the ability to keep the ecosystem active by generating more consistent volume and allowing traders to speculate on short-term moves, hedge existing positions, and use leverage -- regardless of the direction of the market. Neither Kalshi nor Polymarket responded to a request for comment. -- CNBC's Liz Napolitano contributed reporting.
DeFi Technologies Announces Venture Portfolio Company Stablecorp's QCAD Is Now Live for Trading on Kraken
QCAD's availability on Kraken marks another important step in expanding access to Canada's compliant CAD stablecoin and advancing regulated digital asset infrastructure DeFi Technologies is an investor in Stablecorp and a strategic collaborator focused on scaling QCAD across product development, liquidity and market access, and long-term security planning as volumes and systemic importance grow over time. Highlights QCAD reaches a major new distribution milestone QCAD is now live for trading on Kraken, expanding access to Canada's compliant CAD stablecoin through a leading global exchange. Continued progress for Stablecorp The milestone builds on Stablecorp's recent momentum following QCAD's emergence as Canada's first compliant CAD stablecoin. Analyst Coverage of DeFi Technologies Cautionary note regarding forward-looking information: THE CBOE CANADA EXCHANGE DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2026/21/c6203.html Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs To add Benzinga News as your preferred source on Google, click here.
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.
Germany Launches Kraken K3 Armed USV Production for Autonomous Naval Strike and Surveillance
Kraken K3 Scout unmanned surface vessel (USV) during demonstration trials, highlighting Rheinmetall's high-speed autonomous platform configured for surveillance, strike missions, and maritime security operations. (Picture source: Rheinmetall) The announcement, published by the German Company Rheinmetall on April 20, 2026, confirms an initial production capacity of 200 units annually, scalable to 1,000 depending on demand. This industrial ramp-up reflects growing global requirements for market-available unmanned platforms of various sizes that can extend naval reach while reducing risk to personnel, a trend accelerated by recent high-intensity conflicts. The Kraken K3 Scout measures 27.6 ft (8.4 m) in length and can reach up to 63 mph (55 kn / 102 km/h), positioning it among the fastest tactical USVs in its class. Depending on the configuration, the platform can be used for maritime surveillance, protecting critical infrastructure, or serving as a weapons carrier in military operations. Its modular architecture enables mission-specific payloads, including ISR systems, electronic warfare suites, and strike capabilities, to act as distributed lethality nodes. Production of the systems takes place at Rheinmetall's Blohm+Voss shipyard in Hamburg, a site the Düsseldorf-based company is developing into Germany's leading test and technology center for unmanned and autonomous marine systems. The facility supports integration, testing, and scaling of autonomous naval platforms, reinforcing industrial capacity for next-generation maritime warfare systems. The joint venture established last year between Rheinmetall Naval Systems and the British technology company Kraken Technology Group now operates under the name Rheinmetall Kraken GmbH. This structure combines Rheinmetall's industrial scale, naval integration expertise, and global reach with Kraken's specialization in high-performance, cost-efficient unmanned maritime systems, enabling accelerated production and deployment. "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," said Tim Wagner, CEO of Rheinmetall's Naval Systems division. With five locations in Germany, the division specializes in constructing complex naval and coast guard vessels and is a key player in the development of unmanned and autonomous surface systems. Mal Crease, CEO of Kraken Technology Group, emphasized that the joint venture combines the strengths of a major defense manufacturer with those of an agile maritime technology company, ensuring production can scale to meet rapidly growing operational requirements. This reflects increasing global demand for deployable, cost-effective unmanned naval platforms. The operational relevance of systems like the Kraken K3 Scout has been reinforced by lessons from the war in Ukraine, where unmanned surface vessels have demonstrated effectiveness in striking high-value naval assets, disrupting logistics, and challenging traditional fleet defenses. Ukrainian use of low-cost, high-speed maritime drones against Russian Black Sea Fleet units has highlighted the strategic value of distributed, attritable platforms capable of penetrating contested environments with minimal risk to personnel. From an operational standpoint, the Kraken K3 Scout enhances naval forces' ability to conduct high-risk missions without exposing crewed vessels. Its potential role as a weapons carrier introduces tactical options such as forward-deployed strike operations, decoy missions, and swarm-based attacks designed to saturate and overwhelm adversary defenses. Integrated into network-centric warfare architectures, these USVs can serve as both sensor and shooter nodes, enabling real-time situational awareness and rapid engagement cycles. Rheinmetall's Naval Systems division is positioning itself as a leader in autonomous naval platforms amid intensifying competition in the unmanned systems market. The scalability of production suggests anticipation of large-volume procurement from NATO allies and partner nations seeking cost-effective force multipliers to enhance maritime security and deterrence. Strategically, the industrialization of USV (Unmanned Surface Vessel) production at scale signals a shift toward mass-enabled naval warfare, where quantity, autonomy, and network integration redefine maritime power projection. The Ukraine conflict has accelerated this transformation, demonstrating that relatively low-cost unmanned systems can achieve disproportionate operational and strategic effects against conventionally superior fleets. By enabling rapid deployment of configurable, high-speed unmanned vessels, Rheinmetall is contributing to a fundamental evolution in how naval forces approach deterrence, sea control, and protection of critical maritime infrastructure in increasingly contested environments. Written by Alain Servaes - Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.
Rheinmetall Kraken GmbH launches series production of maritime unmanned systems in Hamburg
(PresseBox) - Series production of the Kraken K3 Scout has begun at Rheinmetall's Blohm+Voss site in Hamburg. With the market-ready unmanned surface vessel (USV), Rheinmetall's new Naval Systems division -- together with its British joint venture partner Kraken Technology Group -- offers a surface platform for both military and civilian applications. 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. Production of the systems -- which are capable of speeds of up to 55 knots, measure 8.4 metres in length, and are individually configurable -- takes place at Rheinmetall's shipyard Blohm+Voss in Hamburg, a site that the Düsseldorf-based company is developing into Germany's leading test and technology centre for unmanned and autonomous marine systems. "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." Kraken Technology Group develops high-performance and cost-efficient unmanned maritime systems. Through the joint venture, they benefit from the extensive production and integration capabilities of the Rheinmetall Naval Systems division.
Rheinmetall Kraken GmbH launches series production of USV in Hamburg - Naval News
Series production of the Kraken K3 Scout has begun at Rheinmetall's Blohm+Voss site in Hamburg. With the market-ready unmanned surface vessel (USV), Rheinmetall's new Naval Systems division -- together with its British joint venture partner Kraken Technology Group -- offers a surface platform for both military and civilian applications. Rheinmetall press release 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. Production of the systems -- which are capable of speeds of up to 55 knots, measure 8.4 metres in length, and are individually configurable -- takes place at Rheinmetall's shipyard Blohm+Voss in Hamburg, a site that the Düsseldorf-based company is developing into Germany's leading test and technology centre for unmanned and autonomous marine systems. "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." Kraken Technology Group develops high-performance and cost-efficient unmanned maritime systems. Through the joint venture, they benefit from the extensive production and integration capabilities of the Rheinmetall Naval Systems division.
Scott Wedgewood stops 22 shots, Avs beat Kraken 2-0 to break franchise's single-season points mark
DENVER (AP) -- Nick Blankenburg scored a second-period goal, Scott Wedgewood made 22 saves for his fourth shutout of the season and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Seattle Kraken 2-0 on Thursday night to break the franchise's single-season points record. The Avalanche won the Presidents' Trophy with 121 points, eclipsing the total of 119 points set by the 2021-22 squad that went on to win the Stanley Cup.
Kraken Parent Payward to Acquire Bitnomial for $550M
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Kings Clinch With 5-3 Win Over Kraken In Final Seattle Match Up
The final home matchup for the season had the Seattle Kraken facing the LA Kings. The Kings held the second wildcard spot, and a win in Seattle would see them clinching their playoff berth. With veteran goaltenders Daccord, Grubauer, and Murray still out or away from the team, the Kraken continued to rely on Nikke Kokko. The first and second periods were all LA. Quinton Byfield put up two in the first, and Trevor Moore added a third goal in the second. During the first period, Kraken forward Jacob Melanson tried to change the energy and get Seattle going with a fight against Kings forward Samuel Helenius. While it shifted the energy, it was not enough to make a difference on the scoreboard. The Kraken were throwing everything they had at the net, but nothing was getting past Kings' goaltender Anton Forsberg. Finally, in the third period, the Kraken came out fighting. Adam Larsson put the Kraken on the board less than two minutes into the frame. A few minutes later, Freddy Gaudreau added to the tally. It was 3-2 in the Kings' favor when Adrian Kempe got another puck past Kokko. Bobby McMann tried to keep the Kraken in with a score of his own. With about three minutes remaining, the Kraken pulled Nikke Kokko for the extra attacker. Unfortunately, it was not enough. Alex Laferriere found the empty net. The Kings came out with a 5-3 victory and clinched the final playoff spot.
Scott Wedgewood stops 22 shots, Avs beat Kraken 2-0 to break franchise's single-season points mark
DENVER (AP) -- Nick Blankenburg scored a second-period goal, Scott Wedgewood made 22 saves for his fourth shutout of the season and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Seattle Kraken 2-0 on Thursday night to break the franchise's single-season points record. The Avalanche won the Presidents' Trophy with 121 points, eclipsing the total of 119 points set by the 2021-22 squad that went on to win the Stanley Cup.
Kraken's Victor Ostman: Shows well in first start - CBS Sports
Ostman stopped 33 of 35 shots in Thursday's 2-0 loss to the Avalanche. He didn't face the full brunt of Colorado's attack, as the hosts rested a few players. Ostman still faced plenty of pressure, but he put forth a good effort. The Kraken lost because they couldn't solve opposing goalie Scott Wedgewood. With the Kraken's season over, expect Ostman and Niklas Kokko to be reassigned to AHL Coachella Valley in the coming days.
Scott Wedgewood stops 22 shots, Avs beat Kraken 2-0 to break franchise's single-season points mark
DENVER (AP) -- Nick Blankenburg scored a second-period goal, Scott Wedgewood made 22 saves for his fourth shutout of the season and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Seattle Kraken 2-0 on Thursday night to break the franchise's single-season points record. The Avalanche won the Presidents' Trophy with 121 points, eclipsing the total of 119 points set by the 2021-22 squad that went on to win the Stanley Cup.
