Portuguese Navy frigate NRP Bartolomeu Dias and its embarked Lynx helicopter have both test-fired Mk46 torpedoes as part of this year’s REPMUS trials.
REPMUS – Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping with Maritime Uncrewed Systems — is widely considered as the world’s largest robotics and uncrewed vehicle experimentation exercise.
Its 16th iteration has been under way in Portugal since the end of August in Troia and Sesimbra, and runs until September 25.
Organized by the Portuguese Navy, in collaboration with national and international allies including many NATO nations, the exercise brings together military, scientific and technological organizations dedicated to the development of uncrewed systems.
This year’s serials involve more than 1,500 people from 36 navies, in excess of 60 industry partners, 13 universities, and five NATO organisations linked to maritime operations and uncrewed maritime systems.
The series of exercises will cumulatively involve more than 300 uncrewed maritime systems and at least 14 naval vessels.
As per the Portuguese Navy, during one of the recent REPMUS 26 drills, the NRP Bartolomeu Dias and its embarked air asset both successfully carried out torpedo launches as a demonstration of the integration and coordination of the force’s naval and air capabilities.
Two Mk46 torpedo firings were carried out, one from the frigate and the other from the Lynx helicopter, providing a valuable opportunity for operational training in a realistic environment.
A press statement noted: “This type of exercise is essential to ensure the readiness, proficiency and effectiveness of the naval forces, contributing to the maintenance of combat capacity and the fulfillment of the missions assigned to the Portuguese Navy.”
Other recent tests carried out as part of the REPMUS 26 exercises have included launches of rockets and atmospheric balloons by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), in collaboration with the Hydrographic Institute.
NRP Bartolomeu Dias was also one of the ships involved in a multi-domain operational training drill involving more than 420 military personnel from different nations.
This September 9 exercise also involved fellow Portuguese offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) NRP Sines and NRP Figueira da Foz and a land force unit from the Marine Corps. Spanish Navy offshore supply vessel Carnota, Italian research vessel Alliance, and French Navy support ship Seine also participated.
- You can read more details about REPMUS 26 on the Portuguese Navy website
