Leonardo has been selected to lead the team that is to work under the first research project funded by the European Union, the OCEAN2020. OCEAN2020 will boost technological research in the naval domain also by the integration of unmanned platforms in surveillance and interdiction missions. The EU fund, launched in 2016 to build the union’s military capabilities, foresees a pooled €5 billion procurement budget.  

The OCEAN2020 team comprises of 42 partners from 15 European countries, including companies such as Indra, Safran, Saab, MBDA, PGZ/CTM, Hensoldt, Intracom-IDE, Fincantieri and QinetiQ as well as research centres including Fraunhofer, TNO, CMRE (of NATO) and IAI. 

OCEAN2020 will see unmanned platforms of different type (fixed wing, rotary wing, surface and underwater) integrated with naval units’ command and control centres, allowing for data exchange via satellite, with command and control centres on land,” Leonardo said in a statement.