EMSA has recently contracted four companies to provide maritime surveillance services to support national authorities carrying out coastguard functions, thereby extending EMSA’s portfolio of Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) based services. This is in line with recent amendments to the founding regulations of EMSA, EFCA and Frontex, creating a joint capability.
Fixed-wing medium-size RPAS have been contracted from the REACT consortium (TEKEVER / CLS), and another consortium composed of the Portuguese Air Force, UAVISION and DEIMOS. These RPAS allow flights of both long endurance and long range (Beyond Radio Line of Sight – BRLOS). Complementing them, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft have also been contracted. From Leonardo Helicopters, the VTOL RPAS is notable for its on-board (multi-purpose) radar.
The Martek RPAS has a small footprint making it easier to deploy. These new contracts, which are expected to be operational mid-2017, build on those already in place for marine pollution (oil spill) detection and ship gas emission monitoring.
Through the RPAS portfolio available to member states and EU agencies, a wide range of coastguard functions can be supported including environment protection, maritime safety and security, fisheries control, border control, law enforcement and customs.
Source: EMSA
