Efficient coupled systems for maritime aerial operations with advanced autonomy

Programme: Competitiveness and Cohesion Programme 2021 - 2027, Collaborative scientific research

Coordinator: University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture (UNIZAG FSB)

SPONA bridges small unmanned aerial and surface systems, operational requirements and engineering solutions, and academia-industry collaboration to enable efficient and robust autonomous maritime-aerial operations. The target system couples a small unmanned surface vessel (USV, 5-6 m) with a lightweight vertical-take-off-and-landing fixed-wing unmanned aircraft (VTOL UAV, 5 kg), supported by a stabilized deck/capture mechanism.

Research at TRL 2-4 includes: (i) real-time digital twins of the vessel, aircraft and the integrated system, with hardware-in-the-loop coupling; (ii) algorithms for sensor fusion, perception, localization and mapping, and motion planning; (iii) tolerant landing via relative navigation and deck motion prediction; and (iv) staged validation across lab/HIL, towing tank, "dry" moving-deck platform and open-water test polygons.

Industrial partners develop design-for-manufacture-and-assembly guidelines and production methods for integral composite structures and modular deck subsystems, prioritizing reduced manual labor and cost scalability. Key outcomes comprise the operational autonomy core on the USV, a validated stabilized deck/capture prototype, a methodology for identifying dynamic-model parameters, and recommended rational system sizes versus sea states. The project is oriented to civil applications (public safety, civil protection, port and coastal operations) and lays a solid foundation for progression to higher TRL levels and subsequent technology transfer.