Rheinmetall has commenced serial production of the Kraken K3 Scout unmanned surface vessel, marking the transition of the platform into full-scale industrial manufacturing for both military and civilian maritime applications.
The system is being developed through a joint venture with the UK-based Kraken Technology Group, now operating under the name Rheinmetall Kraken GmbH. The collaboration is driven by growing demand for deployable unmanned surface vessels capable of performing a wide range of operational roles.
Production is taking place at the Blohm+Voss shipyard in Hamburg, which Rheinmetall is positioning as a hub for autonomous maritime system testing and development. Initial production is set at approximately 200 units annually, with scalability to as many as 1,000 units per year depending on demand.
The Kraken K3 Scout is an 8.4-meter vessel capable of reaching speeds of up to 55 knots (102 km/h). It can be configured for missions such as maritime surveillance, infrastructure protection, and as an armed platform. Additional roles include logistics support, casualty evacuation, and maritime security in littoral environments.
With a maximum displacement of 2,500 kilograms and a payload capacity of up to 600 kilograms, the vessel is powered by an inboard diesel engine with a stern drive system. At a cruising speed of 25 knots, it offers a range of around 650 nautical miles, while endurance can extend up to 30 days depending on mission configuration.
Constructed with a composite hull, the platform supports fully autonomous operations with an option for remote control. It utilizes an open-architecture software framework based on the Auterion operating system, enabling integration of various autonomy modules and third-party systems. Sensor suites include electro-optical systems, radar, and sonar.
