Saab UK and Kraken develop Autonomous Drone Seeker Vessel

Saab UK and Kraken have announced the development of an experimental autonomous “drone seeker” surface vessel, designed to help protect shipping and critical infrastructure from aerial threats.

The prototype integrates Saab’s Giraffe 1X radar with Kraken’s K3 Scout autonomous platform to create a deployable counter‑UAS seeker system for maritime environments. The K3 Scout is a low‑signature uncrewed surface vessel that can operate autonomously or alongside conventional ships. Equipped with the Giraffe 1X radar, the system provides early warning of drone incursions, detecting small airborne targets at range.

Saab’s Giraffe 1X is a lightweight 3D radar designed to detect and track airborne threats in real time. Its integration onto an autonomous maritime platform supports the UK Government’s Defence Investment Plan for a hybrid navy, where autonomous vessels operate alongside conventional assets.

Teams from Saab UK and Kraken have taken the concept from design to prototype within months, including sea trials to assess radar performance in maritime conditions.

🎤 Andy Fraser, Managing Director of Saab UK, said:

“This is a pioneering, UK manufactured, deployable capability, that together with Kraken we’ve developed in less than seven months. This reflects the strength of our partnership, the maturity and flexibility of our respective technologies, and our ability to respond at pace to the evolving threat landscape and needs of our customers.”

🎤 Mal Crease, CEO and Founder, Kraken Technology Group, said:

“Kraken and Saab UK’s prototype ‘drone seeker’ vessel is exactly what the K3 SCOUT was designed to do: integrate with mission‑relevant payloads to then operate in austere maritime environments.”

📃📷 Source : Saab UK