Participating in the NATO’s exercises will put to the test the interoperability of its aircraft with IRIS.
The Spanish company Alpha Unmanned Systems validates the interoperability of its A900 systems with IRIS during REP(MUS)22, the NATO’s international exercise.
The Spanish companies Alpha Unmanned Systems and GMV demonstrated the interoperability of their systems during the latest REP(MUS)22 exercises (Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping Augmented by Maritime Unmanned Systems), held throughout September in Tróia peninsula and Sesimbra (Portugal) and led by the Marinha Portuguesa (Portuguese Navy).
REP(MUS) is the largest military exercise organised by the NATO, in which experimental unmanned airborne, land and submarine naval systems are tested to demonstrate the current and potential technological and operational capacity of the NATO and of its allies, in addition to the testing and development of C4I systems with the support of the participating industries.
As one of Spain’s participating companies, Alpha Unmanned Systems shall participate with its A800 UAV and the latest model, A900, which are integrated with the DGAM’s (Directorate-General of Weaponry and Equipment) IRIS system, jointly validating the interoperability levels achieved under the supervision of the Under-directorate for Planning, Technology and Innovation (SDG PLATIN).
By integrating the capabilities of Alpha’s UAVs and the products with different associated payloads (in particular, Image Intelligence, or IMINT), these can be channelled via IRIS so they can then be operated and monitored by different command and control posts and used in different operational scenarios.
The A800 (maximum takeoff weight or MToW of less than 14 kg) and A900 platforms (MToW of less than 25 kg), which were specifically designed for use in the Defence and Security sector, have been developed to meet the requirements of a highly demanding maritime security environment, in which its capabilities have been recognised after having been acquired by navies of NATO member countries.
Such capabilities are derived from its reliability, robustness, high loading capacity and in-flight power generation, allowing the UAVs to operate under a large range of active and passive intelligence payloads, and to act as an observer, designer and “dispenser” of active loads.
The IRIS system developed by GMV as part of the RAPAZ programme for the DGAM’s SDG PLATIN offers a high degree of “ISR interoperability”, based on the MAJIIC2 standards (Multi-Intelligence All-Source Joint Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Interoperability Coalition) used by the NATO.
It offers a simplified interface to integrate the sensors and platforms with the command and control and intelligence network, ensuring its interoperability with other national and Ally C4ISR systems and equipment (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance).
It is worth noting that this is the first time for NATO to develop tactical doctrines for the use of unmanned vehicles for naval operations during the REP(MUS)22 exercises.
