- Kraken Technology Group with BlueHalo to incorporate AI/ML solutions into underwater systems.
- The vehicles will also be equipped with radio frequency-based counter-drone payloads.
- In 2023, Kraken collaborated with defense industry partner L3Harris to modify and update the Manta undersea drone prototype.
Kraken Technology Group, a British defense contractor, has teamed up with BlueHalo, a US business, to incorporate AI/ML solutions into unmanned surface and underwater systems.
Through this partnership, BlueHalo’s autonomous capabilities will be integrated with multiple Kraken platforms, including the K4 Manta long-range observation submarine vehicle, the K5 Kraken littoral gunship, and the low-cost, low-signature K3 Scout multi-mission sea drone.
Kraken and BlueHalo
To defend Kraken’s fleet from aerial threats while conducting maritime operations, the vehicles will also be equipped with radio frequency-based counter-drone payloads from BlueHalo, namely Titan and SkyView.
The main engine of autonomous operations for Kraken vehicles will be BlueHalo’s AI/ML solutions, which will also support hybrid maritime and “marsupial” operations.
These products will improve situational awareness, autonomous navigation, and multi-vessel swarming. It is anticipated that the combination of technologies would lead to advancements in marine autonomy as well as other cutting-edge littoral solutions for applications related to national security.
CEO of Kraken Technology Group Mal Crease underlined the collaboration‘s complementary vision and experience, saying it will guarantee Kraken’s ability to meet the rapidly expanding market need. Additionally, in 2023, Kraken collaborated with defense industry partner L3Harris to modify and update the Manta undersea drone prototype.
Additionally, in 2022, Kraken inked a contract with Thales to improve the maritime accuracy capabilities of the K5 Kraken. To support the manufacturing of its K5 gunships, Kraken was able to get additional funding in the same year, which allowed it to build a dedicated factory in the UK.