Janus Marine and Defense and its partner Nexus Remote Solutions are set to open the UAE’s first center dedicated to testing, hiring, and maintaining unmanned vessels.
Named The Quarterdeck, the Remote Operations Center (ROC) will be based at Addax Tower on Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi. It will be the first open-access facility of its kind in the Gulf, providing startups and SMEs with the opportunity to develop and refine unmanned surface vessel (USV) and unmanned underwater vessel (UUV) technology for both commercial and defense applications.
Janus Marine and Defense owner Jack Dougherty, a former US Navy seafarer with wide experience of naval and commercial marine autonomy, said the Quarterdeck will benefit from the UAE’s open policy towards USV operations in its territorial waters. He said the UAE offers some of the best conditions in the world for uncrewed vessel operations – being free from red tape and regulation seen elsewhere in the world.
We’re very lucky in the UAE that the Government here wants to be a leader in vessel safety by encouraging faster innovation of unmanned vessels. So as part of our services at the Quarterdeck we’ll also be offering an integrated platform for real time remote mission control, data analysis, and system maintenance
… said John Woroniuk founder of UAE headquartered Nexus Remote Solutions
The Quarterdeck will feature soundproof pods with three individual operator consoles in each allowing for a multitude of pilot, technician and payload operators.