USSOCOM Awards OTA to Kraken for Next-Generation Maritime Vessels

Kraken Technology Group has been awarded an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreement by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) to support the rapid development of novel uncrewed vessel technologies.

This agreement focuses on the rapid development and prototyping of new uncrewed surface and subsurface vessel technologies to enhance maritime capabilities for U.S. special operations forces. The OTA, which has a reported cap of $49,000,000, marks a significant step in the British company’s cross-continent expansion.

Under the agreement, Kraken will design, develop, and deliver prototype vessels. These will leverage cutting-edge materials, stealth characteristics, and modular mission payload integration. The company’s technology is end-user driven, with platforms iterated in close collaboration with operators. Kraken has previously participated successfully in two SOCOM innovation cycles alongside the Norwegian and United Kingdom Governments.

Mal Crease, CEO of Kraken, stated, “We are honoured to partner with USSOCOM in support of its mission to field disruptive maritime capabilities. This OTA represents a validation of our technology roadmap and underscores the critical need for next-generation uncrewed platforms that deliver superior agility, survivability, and operational versatility in the maritime domain.”

Kraken’s approach combines advanced naval architecture with a mission-driven design tailored for special operations challenges. The uncrewed vessels under development are planned to feature autonomous navigation, low-observable technologies, and scalable sensor and effector options. These capabilities are intended to support Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), logistics, and direct-action missions across contested littoral environments.

The OTA mechanism allows USSOCOM to quickly assess and integrate emerging technologies from non-traditional defence innovators such as Kraken. This is intended to ensure U.S. forces maintain a decisive edge in complex operational theatres.

Kraken is scaling up its cross-continent presence to supply mission-ready maritime capabilities to the UK and its allies. The company has already completed NATO’s Task Force X, attracted simultaneous funding from the NATO Innovation Fund and the British Business Bank’s National Security Strategic Investment Fund, fulfilled large-scale orders across Europe’s NATO countries, and successfully integrated with the UK Ministry of Defence.