Sea Search And Rescue supported by xUTM and xG
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB - Samverkande Autonoma System |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 4 935 000 |
| Project duration | October 2024 - September 2027 |
| Status | Ongoing |
| Venture | Digital infrastructure and communication |
| Call | Digital infrastructure and communication - spring 2024 |
Purpose and goal
Sea rescue, but also other rescue operations at coasts and on land, have been shown to be greatly supported by unmanned aerial vehicles (UXV) that can search large areas of water and land and identify people in distress, direct rescue operations or deliver life support or life-saving equipment to those in need. Here it has been shown that the mobile networks have been able to contribute to Positioning - Navigation - Communication of the UXVs. But existing 4-5-6G systems need to be adapted and coordinated to cover larger parts of sea and land and the operations be managed in UTM.
Expected effects and result
By measuring the quality of the reception of the mobile communications in time and over the earth´s surface as well as in the air and sea, the operators can offers safe areas and corridors to fly or operate with other unmanned crafts without losing contact and control of the UXVs. This, together with UTM, provides incentives to fly safely, reliably, autonomously and BVLOS during rescue and SAR operations. This would increase the chances of finding those in need in time to save lives and ensure health of those affected and the rescue staff. UTM also ensures the relationship to manned flight.
Planned approach and implementation
The project intends to set up an Unmanned Traffic Management system that can plan and follow the various involved manned as well as unmanned vessels that are deployed in maritime rescue in the first place - but also for searches at coasts and on islands or mainland depending on which organization participates and which mandate they have for their assignments. By carrying out the missions connected to the mobile networks, one can ensure the position and reduce the risk of manipulated GNSS satellites, coordinate the different resources and maintain contact to obtain situational awareness.