Rheinmetall begins series production of unmanned maritime systems in Hamburg

Rheinmetall Kraken GmbH has started series production of the Kraken K3 Scout unmanned surface vessel at Rheinmetall’s Blohm+Voss site in Hamburg. The market-ready unmanned surface vessel (USV) is offered by Rheinmetall's new Naval Systems division in partnership with its British joint venture partner, Kraken Technology Group.

The joint venture, established last year, aims to meet the increasing global demand for market-available unmanned maritime platforms of various sizes. The vessels are designed for both military and civilian applications, including maritime surveillance, protection of critical infrastructure, and as potential weapons carriers.

Production of the 8.4-meter-long vessels, capable of speeds up to 55 knots, is taking place at Rheinmetall's Blohm+Voss shipyard in Hamburg. This facility is being developed by the Düsseldorf-based company into Germany’s leading test and technology center for unmanned and autonomous marine systems.

Tim Wagner, CEO of Rheinmetall's Naval Systems division, stated that production capacity is initially designed for around 200 units per year and can be scaled up to 1,000 units annually depending on order volume. The Naval Systems division operates five locations in Germany and specializes in complex naval and coast guard vessels, as well as the development of unmanned and autonomous surface systems.