Near real-time scientific data provision from unmanned underwater gliders to remote operational sites

This paper presents an experimental and scientifically driven facility at NATO STO CMRE, called GliderC2 in this publication. The key aspects of its data flow for remotely operating a fleet of unmanned underwater gliders (UUGs) deployed at sea / in the ocean is presented. Interoperable standards are used to disseminate live UUG positions in near real-time, as well as their collected data and the processed information (e.g. added value products, such as oceanographic forecasts). All this information is provided to other Command and Control (C2) and Common Operational Picture (COP) capabilities. Results are shown from a live test during the live CMRE sea-trial LOGMEC16 (Long-term Glider Missions for Environmental Characterization 2016) in the Ligurian Sea (Italy), where several UUGs were deployed and operated for two consecutive months (May and June) in 2016. Live UUG positions, collected data and processed information were provided in near real-time to other C2 and COP capabilities during the NATO Coalition Warrior Interoperability Exercise (CWIX) 2016, at the NATO Joint Force Training Center (JFTC), Poland. Visual results are provided for the dissemination of such information, as well as estimates of the times needed to provide and visualize live UUG positions and data. Ideas for further work are provided at the end of this paper, stimulating the continuation of this work.