The US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has entered into a significant partnership with the British maritime firm Kraken, initiating a $49-million Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreement aimed at accelerating the development and prototyping of next-generation uncrewed surface and subsurface vessels. This strategic collaboration is poised to enhance USSOCOM’s capabilities in intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), sustainment, and direct-action missions within complex and highly contested littoral environments.
Kraken is tasked with leveraging advanced materials and innovative design techniques to create prototype vessels that feature low-signature characteristics and modular payload architectures. This initiative is in line with the growing demand for agile and versatile maritime platforms that can operate effectively in challenging scenarios.
Mal Crease, CEO of Kraken, expressed pride in the partnership, emphasizing the critical importance of developing next-generation uncrewed platforms that offer superior agility and survivability in maritime operations. He highlighted that this OTA agreement validates Kraken’s technology roadmap and showcases the company’s commitment to pioneering disruptive maritime capabilities.
Among Kraken’s developments is the K4 Manta, an uncrewed surface/subsurface vessel that was showcased at the USSOCOM Technical Experimentation exercise earlier this year. Optimized for high-speed surface transport while also capable of submerging for low-visibility operations, the K4 Manta is designed for various multi-domain roles, including ISR, electronic warfare, and precision strike missions. The vessel’s lightweight construction minimizes visual, acoustic, radar, and thermal detectability, and it is equipped with a deployable sensor mast to support ISR objectives. The K4 Manta can carry payloads of up to 5,000 kilograms (11,023 pounds) and operate autonomously for durations of up to ten days.
This contract with USSOCOM further expands Kraken’s operational footprint in Europe, building on its recent successes. Earlier this year, the firm demonstrated its K3 Scout uncrewed surface vessel during NATO’s inaugural Task Force X (TF-X) event in the Baltic Sea. Additionally, Kraken has secured funding from the NATO Innovation Fund along with the British Business Bank’s National Security Strategic Investment Fund, which supports major orders from various European NATO nations and facilitates integration with the UK Ministry of Defence.
In a move that reflects the growing global demand for scalable uncrewed platforms, Kraken also announced a joint venture with the German shipbuilder NVL Group, aiming to expedite the design, development, and production of unmanned surface vessels. This collaboration is positioned to address both defense and commercial needs, particularly in safeguarding critical infrastructure.
Kraken’s strategic initiatives and partnerships underscore its readiness to capture global markets and foster significant collaborations, reinforcing its trajectory as a leader in the development of advanced maritime technologies.
