OCEAN2020 has successfully launched its first sea demonstration in the Gulf of Taranto, Italy. The OCEAN2020 Live Sea Demonstration involved a total of 9 unmanned assets and six naval units from Italy, Spain, Greece and France. The deployment of manned and unmanned systems, when integrated with satellite and communication networks, aimed to enhance overall maritime situational awareness and build a comprehensive picture of developing situations for military decision-makers.

The demonstration run two scenarios: a threatening vessel interdiction and interception of a mine laying vessel before an amphibious operation. Led by the Italian Navy, it tested how the fusion of data and information collected from the assets deployed in the area of operations can be integrated to create a Recognised Maritime Picture (RMP). In addition, it also demonstrated how multiple information sources can be integrated with Combat Management Systems (CMSs) to create a RMP, while equally highlighting how collaborative autonomy between multi-domain unmanned vehicles can provide a force multiplier.

The first sea demonstration took place on the 20 and 21 November 2019 in the Gulf of Taranto and focused on two scenarios:

• Fast Boat Interdiction (Intercept and neutralize a fast & light weaponized boat)
• Interception of a Mine Laying Threat during an Amphibious Operation

These scenarios enabled the demonstration of:

• launch and recovery of UxS from vessels including automatic take-off and recovery of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS)
• integration of EO, Radar and AIS payload to collect and provide multi-source data and video streaming
• use of satellite data for augmenting the situation awareness
• manned-unmanned teaming
• integration between Unmanned Systems and naval CMS (Combat Management System)
• link chain of information flowing to national MOCs and EU-MOC Prototype

In the context of the OCEAN2020 project, the Greek authorities had the following roles:

INTRACOM DEFENSE (IDE):
-Provided the Unmanned Surface Ship SeaRider
– Leading the Consortium’s efforts to analyze requirements in the field of USVs (platform and sensors)
– Undertook the overall design of UHF / VHF radio
– Participated in the study on communication security

Altus LSA:
-Supported modeling activities for manned / unmanned aerial systems and sensors as well as surface systems
-To participate in the upgrading and completion of the Hellenic MOC Center
-Designed the MOC operator interface

National Kapodistrian University of Athens:
-Designed and simulated autonomous behavior techniques for non-human systems

Ministry of National Defense ( GN as end user):
– Participated in the requirement analysis and the definition of demonstration scenarios
-Made a Naval Unit for demonstration in the Mediterranean
– Designed and implemented by the Hellenic MOC

Source: ocean2020.eu