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PASSport

Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash

PASSPort stands for “Operational Platform managing a fleet of semi-autonomous drones exploiting GNSS high Accuracy and Authentication to improve Security & Safety in port areas”. The purpose of the PASSport project is to engineer and qualify a solution which extends situational awareness in port areas in order to improve safety and security. Aerial fixed/rotary wing and underwater drones form the basis for this.

The need for enhancing port security stems from the directive 2005/65/CE of the European Parliament and of the Council. This directive requires surveillance systems to be complemented for the whole port area in order to significantly improve security and safety for daily operations in port areas. This can save lives and ensure a high and equal level of safety and security for all European ports. Around one thousand European ports fall within the scope of the directive. As a consequence, PASSport responds to the needs expressed by port authorities, harbour masters and border control authorities which are active parties in the consortium and will be directly involved in the definition of the proposed solutions.

The proposed solution is intended to complement existing operational platforms by extending the surveillance perimeter using a fleet of drones. This fleet could provide innovation and operational support to the recognition, management and analysis of safety and security aspects of daily operations with particular attention to:

• Pollution monitoring (safety)
• Support to e-navigation (safety)
• Critical buildings/infrastructure protection (security)
• Protection against non-cooperative small craft approaching the port areas (security)
• Underwater threat monitoring (security)

The project is expected to open up commercial opportunities thanks to the innovative use of a semi-automated drone fleet integrating Galileo services (and other sensors). This allows for a safe and efficient guidance, navigation and control (GNC) even in a challenging environment in presence of obstacles - including buildings and other ground assets - and potentially unfavorable weather conditions.

The DLR Institute of Flight Guidance will work on the concept for integrating the envisaged drone operations into the non-segregated airspace in Germany. Through its involvement in several European U-space projects, the Institute will make sure that the envisaged operations are harmonized with the European U-space regulation. The DLR Institute will liaise with German authorities to enable a use-case demonstration in Germany.