Naval Group Unveils the Strength of Its Drone Command Platform
In September 2021, Naval Group effectively executed operational demonstrations of its drones’ mission management solution harmonized with the combat management system. These demonstrations were held at the Troia naval facility in Portugal, as a component of the European collaborative initiative COMPASS 2020 (Coordination of Maritime Assets for Persistent And Systematic Surveillance), which aims to bolster the European Union’s maritime surveillance competence.
Innovative Technology for Enhanced Maritime Surveillance
The COMPASS2020 endeavor seeks to boost the security of the European Union’s outer boundaries and maritime surveillance capabilities by augmenting the situational awareness of coastguard services and maritime authorities beyond coastal zones through optimal and ongoing aerial and underwater monitoring in minimal time and under diverse weather conditions.
In collaboration with AMN (Autoridade Maritima Nacional de Portugal) – the project coordinator – along with Tekever, ECA Group, Edisoft, and TNO, among others, Naval Group executed an extensive offshore demonstration utilizing an underwater drone (UUV) and two aerial drones (UAV). The trio of drones was launched from a Portuguese Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel, the NRP Setubal, situated off the Troia coast, and from a terrestrial base. The scenarios entailed aiding a migrant boat and thwarting drug smuggling.
The immediate planning, administration, and operation of the drones and payloads, alongside the communication between the Offshore Patrol Vessel and the shore-based coordination center for managing the operation, were all conducted via Naval Group’s drones’ mission management solution. During this demonstration, a suspicious vessel was detected, identified, and neutralized in under 30 minutes.
Diane Mulard, technical supervisor of the project for Naval Group, stated: “We take great pride in witnessing our solution functioning in a real-world environment. Despite the health challenges, we devised strategies for remote de-risking and managed to tackle the obstacles during the in-person trials. We are delighted to provide a scalable solution that can be tailored to diverse capabilities and mission types, delivering a genuine operational advantage for naval forces.”
Vanessa Cauvin, Director of R&D Collaborative Development Europe, added: “This program is the outcome of rigorous European cooperation, and Naval Group is proud to contribute. With the Naval Group solution, the management of drone missions is simplified within joint and combined coalitions, enhancing efficiency and fostering interoperability between vessels and drones. We are optimistic that COMPASS2020 will set the groundwork for additional European collaborative initiatives in this domain with the esteemed partners we’ve collaborated with in the consortium.”
Naval Group: A Premier Manufacturer and Integrator of Drone Systems
To consistently deliver new capabilities to its clientele, Naval Group embeds innovation at the core of its strategy and throughout the life cycle of its solutions to ensure their operational superiority. In this context, the Group has been engaged in developing and integrating autonomous vehicles for several years, providing innovative and efficient drone systems, as well as incorporating various types of drones aboard vessels through standardized solutions.
Naval Group’s drones’ mission management solution is the culmination of several years of R&D and innovation, reflecting the Group’s recognized expertise in the development of systems, particularly for naval drone integration. This solution facilitates the management of naval drone operations across all settings: aerial, surface, and underwater. Integrated into the combat management system of surface ships or submarines, this system can also be deployed at a command center on land.
