KORTHOS / ECOSYSTEM / PRODUCT

K3 Scout

About

About K3 Scout

K3 Scout is an 8.4-metre composite uncrewed surface vessel with a published maximum speed of 55 knots, payload capacity around 600 kilograms and cruise range reaching approximately 650 nautical miles at 25 knots. Its low-signature hull can be configured for surveillance, force protection, logistics, counter-UAS and precision effects.

Auterion-based autonomy and mission software support remote operation, route execution and integration with command systems. Optional electro-optical sensors, radar, sonar and communications equipment can be installed around the mission, while a removable pilot module supports crewed trials and repositioning. The vessel has moved into Royal Navy procurement through Project Beehive.

09 JUL 2026

Kraken’s $175M Round Turns Maritime Autonomy Into a Manufacturing Story

Capabilities

Source-backed capabilities

  • Operating environments: NATO Task Force X deployment in the Baltic, Littoral waters of the Solent, Coastal and open-water missions
  • Control modes: Operator Supervised Autonomy
  • GNSS-denied navigation

    Demonstrated - 2026-10-05 - Estimate vessel position without GNSS using Voyant software, live radar and terrain-reference maps. - environment: Littoral waters of the Solent

    Source
  • ISR and tactical support

    Pilot - Executed operator-tasked ISR missions over multiple days. - environment: NATO Task Force X deployment in the Baltic

    Source
  • Autonomous surface transit

    Claimed - Follow a planned maritime route while avoiding collisions. - environment: Coastal and open-water missions

    Source

Observed use

Exact-product configurations are shown without inferring supply, purchase, customer status, standard fit, deployment or partnership.

  • Voyant GNSS-denied radar-map positioning software

    Evaluation - Tested With - Physical - K3 Scout was tested with Voyant software that estimated vessel position from live radar and terrain-reference maps in the Solent.

    Source
  • Observed configuration

    Prototype - Mounted - Physical - K3 SCOUT carried Saab Giraffe 1X radar in its modular payload bay during prototype sea trials.

    Source

Supply

Supply / Components

  • K3 Scout

    Autopilot Mission Computer - Compute & Control - Auterion - Kraken integrated Auterion Skynode X into K3 Scout for open-water sea trials - source: auterion.com

    Source
  • K3 Scout

    Autonomy Software - Compute & Control - Auterion - Kraken integrated AuterionOS and autonomy applications into K3 Scout for open-water sea trials - source: auterion.com

    Source

Timeline

  • Kraken K3 Scout hosts Voyant GNSS-denied navigation trial

    2026-10-05 - Demonstration - The software compares live radar imagery with terrain-reference maps using particle-filter algorithms. The demonstration formed part of a UK Ministry of Defence resilient Position, Navigation and Timing initiative. The announced purpose is to support navigation and asset recovery when satellite positioning is unavailable or denied.

    Source
  • Kraken and Saab UK sea-test K3 SCOUT with Giraffe 1X radar

    2026-10-05 - Demonstration - The radar is integrated into K3 SCOUT’s modular payload bay for surveillance and early-warning applications. The companies took the configuration from concept to a working prototype in less than seven months. Both the vessel and radar are manufactured in Fareham, United Kingdom.

    Source
  • Kraken and Shield AI demonstrate Hivemind teaming on two K3 Scouts

    2026-09-28 - Demonstration - Onboard radar, cameras and AIS data supported cooperative search, detection and classification. The two vessels tracked and escorted a contact before replanning and resuming their search.

    Source
  • Kraken and Capewell complete first K3 Scout USV airdrop

    2026-07-08 - Demonstration - Kraken and Capewell deployed K3 Scout on UMCADS via extracted-load airdrop from an A400M at 1,300 feet. The trial included four successful A400M drops into conditions up to Sea State 4. The demonstration adds a rapid-insertion route for force-projection of uncrewed surface vessels.

    Source
  • Rheinmetall Kraken begins K3 Scout series production in Hamburg

    2026-04-20 - Production Milestone - Rheinmetall Kraken GmbH will produce K3 Scout at Blohm+Voss in Hamburg. The production setup is initially designed for about 200 units per year and could scale higher depending on orders. K3 Scout is an 8.4 m, individually configurable USV capable of up to 55 knots.

    Source
  • Royal Navy awards Kraken GBP 12.3 million Project Beehive USV contract

    2026-03-11 - Contract Award - The Royal Navy primary announcement is dated 11 March 2026 and confirms a GBP 12.3 million contract for 20 uncrewed boats. Navy Leaders identifies the contracted platform as Kraken K3 Scout and reports delivery across the following 12 months. The USVs are intended for operations, training and development activities by Coastal Forces Squadron and 47 Commando Royal Marines.

    Source
  • Kraken K3 Scout operates in NATO Task Force X Baltic deployment

    2025-07-09 - Deployment - K3 Scout USVs operated in NATO Task Force X in the Baltic. The deployment integrated K3 Scout into command systems and delivered live, operator-tasked ISR performance. The event links Kraken platforms to NATO maritime uncrewed-systems experimentation around seabed and maritime-threat awareness.

    Source

Context

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