July 30, 2024 | International, Naval, C4ISR, Security
October 29, 2019 | International, Naval
4 questions with NATO on its unmanned tech test
By: Martin Banks
BRUSSELS — As militaries around the world invest in advanced technology, the need to test the capabilities of new systems for military operations is critical — both to ensure the training of personnel as well as the effective integration with existing platforms.
Dozens of unmanned underwater, surface and air vehicles from NATO countries gathered in Portugal in September for Exercise REP (MUS) 19 to do just that: test technological advances in unmanned maritime systems networks.
Defense News recently received details about the exercise from a NATO official.
In a nutshell, what is Exercise REP (MUS) 19?
REP (MUS) 19 was built on the 10th annual Portuguese underwater exercise Recognised Environmental Picture (REP), with support from NATO's Maritime Unmanned Systems (MUS) initiative, the NATO Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation, and the University of Porto's Laboratory for Underwater Systems and Technology.
The NATO Maritime Unmanned Systems Initiative (MUSI) was launched in October 2018 to promote capability development and interoperability in the field of maritime unmanned systems.
What did NATO hope to learn from this exercise?
The focus of REP (MUS) 19 was on technological and procedural interoperability. Participating nations tested the integration and coordination of activities between multiple unmanned systems from allied nations in the three domains — above the water, on the water and underwater.
This was the first time that so many NATO nations had the opportunity to test together the effectiveness of systems, concepts, techniques and procedures related to maritime unmanned systems, ensuring they can work seamlessly together, bringing together dozens of unmanned underwater, surface and air vehicles for maritime operations.
Who participated?
The systems were from the Portuguese Navy, as well as from the NATO Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation, from Belgium, Italy, Poland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States. During REP (MUS) 19, participants from naval forces, from industry and from academia jointly contributed assets to the operational demonstrations and worked together to test new technological advances and procedures for maritime unmanned systems in real-life operational scenarios.
What is the potential for unmanned systems among allies?
New maritime unmanned systems technologies can be a game-changer in countering multiple threats in the maritime domain. Using maritime unmanned vehicles can help effectively counter new submarines armed with more powerful weapons. They can also prevent military personnel from moving into risky situations in countering threats like sea mines.
https://www.defensenews.com/training-sim/2019/10/28/4-questions-with-nato-on-its-unmanned-tech-test/
On the same subject
-
-
December 9, 2020 | International, Aerospace
GKN Aerospace, SAMC and AVIC Supply sign JV Agreement for Advanced Aerostructures
December 8, 2020 - COMAC subsidiary SAMC (Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing Company), AVIC Supply and GKN Aerospace have signed a joint venture (JV) agreement for the manufacture of Composite and Metallic Aerostructures in Jingjiang, Jiangsu Province, China. This represents a significant milestone in GKN Aerospace's long-stated ambition to grow within the commercial aerospace market within China. The state-of-the-art, 80,000m2 facility in Jingjiang will be GKN Aerospace's first aerostructures JV in China. It will offer COMAC, AVIC and Western customers the opportunity to access an important local supply of advanced aerostructures in the country. The JV builds on COMAC, AVIC and GKN Aerospace's proven track record in the global commercial aviation industry. Production is scheduled to begin in Q4 2021 and, by the mid-2020s, the workforce is expected to grow to 1,000 people. In addition to the JV facility, GKN Aerospace is in final preparations to open (April 2021) a separate 20,000 m2 site in Jingjiang, focusing on the manufacture of transparencies for the commercial market. Both endeavours will help meet China's national industrial strategy of “made in China 2025”. John Pritchard, President Civil Aerospace at GKN Aerospace said: “The establishment of the first aerostructures JV and the upcoming opening of the transparencies facility in Jingjiang, Jiangsu Province, China are exciting milestones. We are proud to extend our footprint in China by working together with our committed partners COMAC, SAMC and AVIC Supply. The collaboration with the local authorities and support of the regional government has been vital. I am sure the combination of our dedicated teams, technology leadership and extensive aerospace experience will lead to exciting growth opportunities. We are excited to be part of the growth of the commercial aerospace industry in China.” GKN Aerospace has a strong three-continent footprint, supporting customers in the Americas, Europe and in Asia. In recent years, growth in Asia has included opening a new wiring systems plant in Pune, India in Q4 2019, as well as unveiling a new aero-engine repair and research plant in Johor, Malaysia, in October 2018. With two new sites in China, GKN Aerospace will be delivering aerostructures, wiring systems and transparencies for the commercial aerospace market from seven sites across China, India, Malaysia and Turkey. View source version on GKN Aerospace: https://www.gknaerospace.com/en/newsroom/news-releases/2020/gkn-aerospace-samc-and-avic-supply-sign-jv-agreement-for-advanced-aerostructures/
-
November 21, 2022 | International, C4ISR
How automation can solve persistent cybersecurity problems
Long-standing issues including aging data systems and alert fatigue can be addressed with automation.