Royal Navy orders £15m of Saab drone-detection radars for its K3 Scout uncrewed boats

Saab has won a £15 million Royal Navy contract for radars that let uncrewed boats spot drones and other airborne threats. Several Sea Giraffe 1X radars are destined for Kraken Technology's autonomous K3 Scout surface vessels.

Before the award, Saab UK and Kraken trialled the system on land and at sea, demonstrating detection, tracking and classification of airborne targets in autonomous operation. "Together with Kraken, we have moved from concept to operational adoption at an exceptional speed," said Andy Fraser, group managing director of Saab UK.

"Project BEEHIVE has taken its first major step in integrating complex payloads," said Captain Adam Ballard, deputy commander of the Surface Flotilla, who said the radar would let the Navy spot hostile airborne targets sooner so they could be engaged.

Kraken chief executive Mal Crease said the K3 Scout's modular bay allows rapid re-roling for surveillance, counter-drone or strike missions without changing the platform. The contract covers further development and integration as the Navy prepares to operate crewed and autonomous vessels together.