GEOMETOC Assessment of the Littoral Environment Using Maritime Unmanned Systems

In naval operations, a detailed understanding of the operational environment is essential for mission success. At present, environmental assessments within the geospatial, meteorological, and oceanographic (GEOMETOC) domains are significantly improved through the employment of maritime unmanned systems (MUS). These systems are advancing rapidly, delivering information faster while maintaining, or even improving the data quality. However, effective use of these technologies requires not only proficiency in their operation, but also a comprehensive understanding of the characteristic limitations of these systems. This article examines the main systems employed for environmental surveys and outlines the advantages and constraints associated with these platforms and their sensors. This study is derived from observations regarding the utilisation of MUS during a series of experimental activities conducted within the framework of the operational experimentation exercise known as the Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping using Maritime Unmanned Systems (REPMUS) series, covering the period from 2021 to 2025. This exercise, recognised as the largest multinational experimentation initiative, is organised by the Portuguese Navy in collaboration with NATO Center for Marine research and Experimentation (CMRE), Faculty of Porto (FEUP), and European Defence Agency.