Naval drones from Hamburg: Rheinmetall Kraken starts series production of the Kraken K3 Scout

Series production of the Kraken K3 Scout has begun at Rheinmetall's Blohm+Voss site in Hamburg. With this off-the-shelf unmanned surface vessel (USV), the new Rheinmetall Naval Systems division, together with its British joint venture partner Kraken Technology, is bringing to market one of the naval drones that can be used as an unmanned surface platform for both military and civilian purposes.

Depending on their configuration, the surface drones monitor sea areas, protect critical infrastructure or serve as weapon carriers in military operations.

Naval Systems and the British tech company Kraken Technology Group had already founded the joint venture last year; with immediate effect it bears the name Rheinmetall Kraken GmbH. It is thus responding to the worldwide increase in demand for unmanned platforms of various sizes that are available on the market.

Naval drones with up to 55 knots

The individually configurable systems, 8.50 metres long and capable of up to 55 knots, are built at Blohm+Voss in Hamburg. The Düsseldorf-based systems house is expanding this site into the leading national test and technology centre for unmanned and autonomous maritime systems.

Production of the Kraken K3 Scout is initially designed for around 200 units a year. Depending on orders, we can ramp up production to as many as 1,000 units annually— Tim Wagner, CEO of the Rheinmetall Naval Systems division

Naval Systems has five sites in Germany, specialises in the new construction of complex naval vessels and coast guard boats, and is regarded as a pioneer in the development of unmanned and autonomy-capable surface systems.

The founding of Rheinmetall Kraken GmbH combines the size, expertise and reach of a leading defence company with an agile and innovative maritime technology company. This ensures that production of the Kraken K3 Scout can be adapted to exponentially growing operational requirements— Mal Crease, CEO of Kraken Technology Group

Powerful, cost-efficient unmanned maritime systems are Kraken Technology's field of work. The joint venture gives the company access to the extensive manufacturing and integration capacities of the Naval Systems division.