At DSEI 2025 in London, Kongsberg Discovery unveiled the K3 SCOUT—an advanced unmanned surface vehicle (USV) designed to enhance maritime surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. Compact yet highly modular, the platform is engineered for autonomous operations in littoral and harbor environments where persistent situational awareness is critical.
Platform Overview and Design Philosophy
The K3 SCOUT USV represents a new class of small autonomous vessels optimized for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. Developed by Kongsberg Discovery—a division of Norway’s defense technology group Kongsberg Gruppen—the system is built on a catamaran hull design for improved stability and hydrodynamic efficiency. Measuring approximately 4 meters in length with a beam under 2 meters, the platform is transportable via standard trailers or shipboard davits.
The vessel’s composite construction reduces radar cross-section (RCS) while maintaining structural rigidity. The design prioritizes low acoustic signature and minimal wake generation to support stealthy operations in contested or congested waters. According to official specifications released at DSEI 2025, the system has an endurance of up to 36 hours depending on payload configuration and sea state.
Modular Payload Architecture
A key differentiator of the K3 SCOUT is its open-architecture payload bay that supports rapid reconfiguration across mission sets. The base platform can be equipped with:
- Electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor turrets
- Surface search radar (X-band)
- Electronic support measures (ESM) modules
- Acoustic sensors for passive sonar or diver detection
- C-UAS packages including RF jammers or directed energy devices
This modularity aligns with NATO STANAG standards for interoperability and allows operators to tailor configurations for harbor security, mine countermeasures (MCM), or asymmetric threat detection. Payload swaps can reportedly be completed in under two hours by a two-person crew.
Autonomy Stack and Navigation Systems
The vessel leverages a proprietary autonomy suite developed by Kongsberg Maritime incorporating multi-sensor fusion from GPS/GNSS receivers, inertial navigation systems (INS), LiDAR scanners, and radar inputs. The autonomy stack supports multiple levels of control:
- Fully autonomous waypoint navigation with obstacle avoidance
- Semi-autonomous operation with operator-in-the-loop via secure RF or SATCOM link
- Tethered remote control mode for high-risk close-in maneuvers
Kongsberg states that the system complies with COLREGs (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea), enabling safe integration into mixed-traffic maritime domains. Additionally, AI-based behavior models allow the USV to classify vessels based on AIS data patterns and visual signatures.
Operational Use Cases and Deployment Concepts
The K3 SCOUT is intended as a scalable asset within larger naval task groups or port security frameworks. Representative use cases include:
- Harbor surveillance: Persistent patrols around critical infrastructure such as naval bases or LNG terminals
- MCM support: Precursor reconnaissance ahead of manned minehunters using side-scan sonar modules
- C-UAS perimeter defense: Mobile interdiction platforms around amphibious landing zones or anchored capital ships
- MDA enhancement: Filling ISR gaps in coastal areas where satellite coverage is intermittent or degraded by weather/electronic interference
The small form factor enables launch from RHIBs or motherships such as OPVs or LPDs. Integration into existing C4ISR networks is facilitated through Link-16 compatibility and NATO-standard data formats.
DSEI Demonstration Highlights & Industry Context
Kongsberg conducted live demonstrations during DSEI’s dockside trials at Royal Victoria Dock. The demo included real-time EO/IR streaming over encrypted LTE uplinks while autonomously navigating pre-set patrol routes around moored vessels.
This unveiling comes amid growing demand for distributed maritime ISR platforms that reduce risk to personnel while expanding sensor coverage across grey-zone scenarios. Comparable systems include Elbit’s Seagull USV and Textron’s CUSV—though both are larger platforms aimed more at MCM than persistent surveillance.
Procurement Outlook and Future Development Tracks
No formal procurement announcements have been made as of September 2025; however, Royal Norwegian Navy officials were observed inspecting the system closely during DSEI trials. Sources suggest initial evaluation contracts may be issued under NATO’s DIANA initiative focused on dual-use innovation.
Kongsberg representatives hinted at future variants featuring hybrid-electric propulsion for extended loitering time as well as AI-enabled swarm coordination capabilities—a potential enabler for multi-node maritime mesh ISR networks operating autonomously across EEZ boundaries.
Conclusion: A Scalable Node in Future Naval ISR Architectures
The K3 SCOUT USV reflects an emerging trend toward smaller yet smarter unmanned platforms that can operate persistently without imposing logistical burdens typical of larger drones or crewed assets. Its modularity positions it well within evolving concepts like Mosaic Warfare and distributed maritime operations (DMO). Whether adopted by NATO navies or commercial port authorities remains to be seen—but its debut signals clear momentum toward agile ISR nodes in littoral theaters.
