Royal Navy completes first extracted-load airdrop of uncrewed surface vessel from A400M transport

The Kraken Technology Group and Capewell demonstrations, supported by the Royal Navy, successfully proves a new force projection capability to rapidly insert high-performance uncrewed vessels into contested or difficult-to-access maritime environments.

The trials combined Kraken’s K3 SCOUT optional airdrop kit with Capewell’s reconfigurable Type V parachute-based UMCADS platform, which can airdrop various maritime vessels directly into military zones.

The trial campaign culminated with a successful validation of a pioneering new IN-Release system, a configurable electro-mechanical release mechanism which enables reliable, synchronised load disconnect across a wide range of aerial and maritime applications.

“Working in partnership with Capewell and the Royal Navy, we have demonstrated that K3 SCOUT can be rapidly deployed directly from a military transport aircraft into contested or difficult-to-access waters ready for operation,” according to Kraken Technology Group founder and chief executive Mal Crease.

“Kraken, alongside its partners and the Royal Navy, will continue to push boundaries to deliver novel and enhanced operational capabilities with our resilient, modular platforms.”

These tests prove that K3 SCOUTs can be inserted directly by air and enter the water ready for operation, significantly expanding the speed, range, and flexibility with which uncrewed maritime capabilities, such as those procured for the UK’s Hybrid Navy in Project Beehive, can be deployed.

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“In collaboration with Kraken we were able to validate the integration of a complex payload with our UMCADS platform while demonstrating the ease with which the system can be reconfigured for alternative mission essential equipment be they maritime or land applications,” according to Capewell business development and training director Mark Lavender.

“This was further validated in that we conducted 4 live airdrops in 6 working days with the same boat and platform during this campaign.”

Robert Dougherty

Robert is a senior journalist who has previously worked for Seven West Media in Western Australia, as well as Fairfax Media and Australian Community Media in New South Wales. He has produced national headlines, photography and videography of emergency services, business, community, defence and government news across Australia. Robert graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Public Relations and Journalism at Curtin University, attended student exchange program with Fudan University and holds Tier 1 General Advice certification for Kaplan Professional. Reach out via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via LinkedIn.