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Rheinmetall Kraken Starts Series Production of K3 Scout USVs in Hamburg

The move signals a push to mass-produce dual-use autonomous boats in Germany.

Overview

  • Rheinmetall Kraken GmbH has begun building the Kraken K3 Scout, an unmanned surface vessel, at the Blohm+Voss shipyard in Hamburg.
  • The joint venture now operates under the name Rheinmetall Kraken GmbH after being formed by Rheinmetall Naval Systems and the UK’s Kraken Technology Group.
  • The 8.4‑meter craft can reach speeds up to 55 knots and is designed to be configured for different missions.
  • Depending on the fit, the platform can perform maritime surveillance, protect critical infrastructure, or carry weapons for military use.
  • Rheinmetall targets about 200 units a year at launch with capacity to scale to 1,000, and it is developing Blohm+Voss as a test and technology center for unmanned and autonomous marine systems.