Airborne and Underwater Technology for Maritime Domain Awareness

Maritime domain awareness means by definition the understanding of anything associated with the maritime domain that could impact the security, safety, economy, or environment. Being aware of the maritime domain implies a seamless observation of the maritime domain. The mission of OPTIMARE is to increase the awareness by means of networks of airborne and underwater sensors.
 

OPTIMARE is primarily specialised in mission system technology for airborne and marine observation.

MEDUSA
The network-based mission system MEDUSA is the key high-level product of OPTIMARE. In terms of data acquisition, processing and real-time visualization the MEDUSA system integrates arbitrary sensors which are connected via network to a central mission computer. Satellite communication and data fusion techniques allow forming high-level observation systems from sensors distributed over airborne and floating platforms. The dissemination of data and derived data products is done by means of web-based GIS, a versatile tool for distributed observation.

Airborne Systems
In the airborne configuration MEDUSA is used as a network-based mission system for maritime surveillance. OPTIMARE supplies MEDUSA, related sensors and other components (e.g. satellite communication) as an integrated package. Moreover, OPTIMARE as the world expert in oil spill detection offers all available oil spill sensors from a single source. OPTIMARE equipment has been used on numerous types of airborne platforms worldwide, e. g., Do228, Basler BT-67, Bo-105, CASA CN-235, CASA C-295, and others.

Marine Observing Systems
MEDUSA is also offered as an integrated marine sensor network. This network itself can be integrated easily with airborne or shorebased infrastructures via satellite communication. In this way sensing and awareness extends to the hydrosphere. OPTIMARE produces systems as well as instruments for coastal and marine observation. One example is the well-established NEMO float. The NEMO float is a profiling autonomous sensor platform providing long-term in-situ data throughout the water column. The data are sent to shore via satellite communication (Argos/Iridium).