Current unmanned systems used for maritime surveillance are unable to fulfil the need for persistence, permanence and cross-domain situational awareness at low cost and reduced staffing.
There is, therefore, a need for a new type of asset that will take advantage of a remote decentralized distributed sensors and C3 (Command, control and communications) network architecture, which will decrease the need to deploy high value manned assets to perform maritime surveillance and deliver persistent and permanent holistic maritime situational awareness.
Scope
The proposals must address the development of a network of floating (semi-fixed) unmanned and autonomous platforms able to support the housing and simultaneous operation of a broad range of maritime surveillance assets and capabilities.
The network of floating platforms must be able to provide holistic and persistent situational awareness within the maritime domain. In particular, the floating platforms must be able to perform data exchange and energy recharge actions for a variety of UxVs while being able to securely and robustly communicate with C3 centres and to accommodate various types of radars, including but not limited to monostatic, bi-static and multi-static configurations facilitating beyond the horizon capabilities. Moreover, the platforms must be able to support electro-optical sensing devices as well as hydroacoustic arrays (including sonars) and other underwater sensors (e.g. magnetic anomaly detectors). Additionally, it has to provide secure housing facilities for a number of UxVs. The individual platforms, as well as the network as an integrated system of systems, must accommodate sufficient means for self-defence against relevant threat vectors.
Targeted activities
The proposals must cover the study and design of the proposed solution, including partial testing of technology components, not excluding downstream activities.
- the study of a network of at least three platforms able to satisfy the high-level operational requirements;
- the design at the level of detailed definition of a platform type of the network for a future prototype trial, including CFD (Computational fluid dynamics) simulations and tank tests of the proposed platform;
- the testing of the docking and undocking component for the UUVs to the platform may be tried.
Expected Impact
- Develop a critical enabler for CSDP (Common Security and Defence Policy) operations and missions in the maritime domain;
- Improve maritime situational awareness for the security of the EU and its Member States;
- Facilitate defensive naval operations in any operational context;
- Support enhanced joint operations situational awareness (underwater, surface and air);
- Provide advanced early warning capabilities for joint operations commanders;
- Reduce reliance on manned assets in the context of maritime surveillance;
- Contribute to EU strategic autonomy.
Deadline
01 December 2020 17:00:00 Brussels time
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