A MODULAR SEARCH AND SURVEILLANCE SES PLATFORM TO SUPPORT PORT AND HARBOUR SECURITY IN THE FUTURE MEGACITIES OF 2050

摘要

By 2050 urbanisation will be the most consequential event in the history of mankind, with the rise of numerous megacities primarily located in coastal areas. The plans for any security or disaster operation in a megacity involves a full spectrum of capabilities, spanning both government/military and civil roles in the face of natural or adversarial threats. The security resources of a megacity may also be called upon in more non-security/defence missions to protect or sustain life, such as SAR. This paper discusses the maritime capability required to support the search and surveillance operations within and around the megacity. The overall capability is delivered by an integration of manned, unmanned and autonomous systems, including the use of swarm technology.Specific domain capabilities include: littoral and harbour areas; riverine and canal operations; underwater operations; urban airspace, with tethered and untethered C4ISTAR sensors; road, cross-country and tunnels. The maritime system proposed in this paper consists of a fleet of modular platform vessels, based on a 25m SES (Surface Effect Ship), operating within a common command infrastructure. Where a range of platforms are deployed from the vessels depending on the situation requirements. The recognised stake-holder informed Marine Design approach is applied to the platform system and sub-systems development, which also draws on the results of horizon scanning activities to identify the technological and cultural developments that are anticipated. These include AI and machine learning, and how they will operate alongside the humans to maintain the security and health of the population.