INTEGRATING UNCREWED & AUTONOMOUSSYSTEMS INTO MODERN NAVAL FLEETS
15-16 July, 2025| Copthorne Tara Hotel, Kensington, London, UK
Conference Day 1: Tuesday, 15 July 2025
NAVIGATING THE FUTURE: THE ROLE OF UNCREWED MARITIME SYSTEMS IN MODERN NAVAL OPERATIONS
8:00 am - 8:55 am
REGISTRATION AND REFRESHMENTS
8:55 am - 9:00 am
DEFENCE IQ WELCOME
9:00 am - 9:30 am
CHAIRMAN’S OPENING REMARKS AND CONTEXTUAL SETTING
Dr. Craig Sawyer -
Chairman, NATO Joint Capability Group for Maritime Unmanned Systems &,
Deputy Director Strategic Assessment, US DoN
Dr. Craig Sawyer
Chairman, NATO Joint Capability Group for Maritime Unmanned Systems &Deputy Director Strategic Assessment, US DoN
9:30 am - 10:30 am
ROYAL NAVY DEEP DIVE: VISION FOR NAVAL CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT
Commodore Matthew Stratton -
Deputy Director Navy Equipment and Systems Acquisition,
Royal Navy
Commodore Marcus Hember - Deputy Director Navy Capability Plans, Royal Navy
Commodore Marcus Rose - Deputy Director Underwater Battlespace Capability, Develop Directorate, Royal Navy
Commander Michael Hutchinson - Captain of XV Patrick Blackett, Head of Experimentation, Navy X
• Insights into the integration of autonomy into the naval fleet
• Case study examples
• Supporting innovation and development through NavyX
Commodore Matthew Stratton
Deputy Director Navy Equipment and Systems AcquisitionRoyal Navy
Commodore Marcus Rose
Deputy Director Underwater Battlespace Capability, Develop DirectorateRoyal Navy
INTEGRATING UNCREWED SYSTEMS FOR COORDINATED SURFACE, AIR AND SEABED OPERATIONS
10:30 am - 11:30 am
MORNING COFFEE AND NETWORKING
11:30 am - 12:00 pm
EXPECTATIONS FOR REPMUS 2025: THE WORLD’S LARGEST AND MOST COMPLEX MARITIME UNMANNED SYSTEMS (MUS) EXERCISE
Lieutenant Commander Tiago Gomes -
Directorate of Ships - PMO,
Portuguese Navy
• Experimenting with cutting-edge autonomous maritime technologies, including C2 for MUS-driven operations, swarming and mine location
• Pushing forward capability development of MUS for NATO and partner nations, to combat the future threat
• The role of industry assets and enablers to develop MUS capabilities that can address warfighting needs
12:00 pm - 12:30 pm
EU PRIORITIES ON UNCREWED MARITIME SYSTEMS (UMS)
Jürgen Scraback -
Head of Unit Maritime Domain,
European Defence Agency
Sine Ozkarasahin - Maritime Domain Unit Trainee, European Defence Agency
• Update on the latest Priority Implementation Roadmap (PIR): Developing technologies such as autonomous operation, for future naval applications
• Insights into the cross-domain Action Plan on Autonomous Systems (APAS)
• Developments on the Best Practice Guide for Unmanned Maritime Systems through REPMUS
12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
LUNCH AND NETWORKING BREAK
DATA INTEGRATION TO ENHANCE OPERATIONAL COORDINATION
2:00 pm - 2:30 pm
ACADEMIC INSIGHTS: OPERATIONALISING DIGITAL TWIN DATA FOR TACTICAL UNCREWED NAVAL ASSETS
Captain Ali Ashour FRINA, FIES, FIMarEST -
Researcher UoS PDRC &,
Senior Engineering Officer, MOI-KCG – State of Kuwait
Professor Erkan Oterkus - Director of The PeriDynamics Research Centre (PDRC), Department of Naval Architecture, Ocean & Marine Engineering, University of Stra
• Empirical and theoretical validation of digital twin models for uncrewed naval systems (UNS)
• Predictive threat vector analytics: Enhancing tactical adaptability in uncrewed naval in real time operations
• A Kuwaiti researcher’s perspective: Aligning academia, industry, and fleet modernisation for UNS
Captain Ali Ashour FRINA, FIES, FIMarEST
Researcher UoS PDRC &Senior Engineering Officer, MOI-KCG – State of Kuwait
Professor Erkan Oterkus
Director of The PeriDynamics Research Centre (PDRC)Department of Naval Architecture, Ocean & Marine Engineering, University of Stra
2:30 pm - 3:00 pm
PANEL DISCUSSION: SWARMING OPERATIONS, ATTACKS AND THE POTENTIAL FOR UNS
Dr. Craig Sawyer -
Chairman, NATO Joint Capability Group for Maritime Unmanned Systems &,
Deputy Director Strategic Assessment, US DoN
This dynamic panel brings together leading experts to explore how these advanced technologies are revolutionising maritime operations. From enhancing situational awareness to redefining naval
warfare, we will uncover the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead:
• What are the recent examples of Swarming operations in relation to the current and future threat context and what lessons have we observed from them?
• What is the potential for uncrewed-crewed teaming?
• How are AI and machine learning enhancing the capabilities of swarming uncrewed systems?
• How are we ensuring ethical decision-making and maintaining accountability for the actions taken in autonomous naval operations?
• What are the primary challenges coordinating interoperable coordinated UNS?
Dr. Craig Sawyer
Chairman, NATO Joint Capability Group for Maritime Unmanned Systems &Deputy Director Strategic Assessment, US DoN
3:30 pm - 4:00 pm
AFTERNOON TEA AND NETWORKING
UTILISING AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS FOR ANTI-SUBMARINE WARFARE
4:00 pm - 4:30 pm
INTEGRATING UNCREWED SYSTEMS INTO THE US NAVAL FLEET
Rear Admiral Michael Mattis -
Commander, Task Force SIX SIX (CTF 66),
US Navy *subject to final confirmation
• The experimentation, development, and operational integration of medium and large unmanned surface vessels (USVs)
• How Black Sea conflict is informing US Navy unmanned systems
• Technological integration to meet the strategic imperative for ASW
Rear Admiral Michael Mattis
Commander, Task Force SIX SIX (CTF 66)US Navy *subject to final confirmation
4:30 pm - 5:00 pm
THE NEW ERA OF ANTI-SUBMARINE WARFARE
• Insights into perceptions of current geopolitical tensions
• Technological advancements needed for the future
• Responding to evolving threats
5:00 pm - 5:05 pm
CHAIRMAN'S CLOSING REMARKS AND END OF DAY 1
Dr. Craig Sawyer -
Chairman, NATO Joint Capability Group for Maritime Unmanned Systems &,
Deputy Director Strategic Assessment, US DoN
Dr. Craig Sawyer
Chairman, NATO Joint Capability Group for Maritime Unmanned Systems &Deputy Director Strategic Assessment, US DoN
