CT participated in Navalia, one of the leading international events for the naval industry, where the company presented a technological demonstration focused on advanced maritime search and rescue (SAR) operations in complex environments.
During the exhibition, CT showcased an advanced simulation scenario integrating crewed platforms, autonomous drones, and real-time mission monitoring systems, highlighting how simulation and digitalization technologies can improve coordination between platforms, enhance situational awareness, and support decision-making in naval operations.
The demonstration recreated a mission in the Vigo estuaries in which a shipborne helicopter operating from a Maritime Action Ship (BAM) had to locate and rescue several people within a designated maritime area and under a defined time limit. To improve mission effectiveness, the helicopter was supported by autonomous drones performing coordinated search tasks and sharing the position of detected targets with the system.
This use case illustrated how collaborative operations between crewed and uncrewed platforms can significantly enhance the effectiveness of maritime rescue, surveillance, and security missions.
“The increasing complexity of maritime operations requires the effective integration of crewed platforms, autonomous systems, and advanced digital capabilities. At CT, we work precisely on this technological convergence: combining simulation, artificial intelligence, and autonomous systems to improve the readiness, efficiency, and safety of naval operations,” said Juan Sousa, Managing Director of CT in Northwest Spain and Head of the Naval Area.
CT Capabilities in Naval Engineering and Defense
With more than three decades of experience in engineering and advanced technologies, CT works alongside major international manufacturers and operators in strategic sectors such as aerospace, space, defense, and naval.
The company has extensive experience in defense programs across air, land, and maritime domains, collaborating with industry leaders such as Airbus, Navantia, and Urovesa on highly complex technological programs.
In the naval sector, CT contributes to flagship programs together with shipyards and leading companies, supporting engineering projects for offshore patrol vessels, frigates, submarines, and other complex naval systems. These include programs such as the Maritime Action Ships (BAM) and the new F-110 frigate.
CT teams support the entire platform lifecycle, providing systems engineering, software design and development, modeling and simulation, digital engineering, and in-service support.
Advanced Simulation Applied to Maritime Operations
The demonstration presented at Navalia highlighted CT’s ability to integrate multiple digital technologies into complex operational scenarios. The use case was based on advanced simulation technologies and synthetic environments capable of recreating realistic missions for training, operational experimentation, and mission concept validation.
In the demonstrated scenario, a helicopter was integrated into an aeronaval simulation environment developed by CT, while the ship acted as the mission coordination platform. Its bridge was represented through an immersive extended reality (XR) environment that allowed operators to visualize the mission from the command perspective.
At the same time, autonomous drones expanded the system’s search capabilities by carrying out coordinated exploration tasks and sharing the position of detected targets.
Throughout the mission, an Instructor Operator Station (IOS) supervised the operation and enabled real-time mission analysis. From this station, operators could monitor key parameters such as total mission time, platform trajectories, and mission success rates, facilitating performance evaluation and continuous operational improvement.
Preparing the Future of Naval Operations
CT’s participation in Navalia demonstrated how technologies such as simulation, artificial intelligence, unmanned systems, and immersive environments are transforming the way maritime missions are designed, trained, and executed.
Through this initiative, CT reinforced its position as a technology partner for naval and defense programs, combining advanced engineering, systems integration, and digital technologies to address the challenges of future maritime operations.