INTEROPERABILITY OF DRONE-CARRIER PLATFORMS AND RIVERINE ARTILLERY SHIPS
INTEROPERABILITY OF DRONE-CARRIER PLATFORMS AND RIVERINE ARTILLERY SHIPS

Author(s): Nicolae BOBEICĂ, Dan-Marian LIVANIS
Subject(s): Security and defense, Military Sciences
Published by: Carol I National Defence University Publishing House
Keywords: Black Sea; Danube; riverine artillery; drone carrier platforms; fire automation; naval surface fire support.
Summary/Abstract: The current security context in the Black Sea and the Danube Delta necessitates a re-evaluation of cooperation methods between naval platforms and fire support systems. This paper analyzes the architecture of an integrated "Sensorto-Shooter" (Eshel 2022) system, focusing on the critical role of drone carrier platforms in optimizing and automating naval artillery operated from riverine vessels. In the specific environment of the Danube, where terrain and vegetation coverage drastically limit the visual field of riverine gunboats, the projection of sensors via Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) becomes the only viable method for identifying and engaging targets beyond the visible line of sight. The research employs a systemic methodology to model the digital information flow between the drone carrier platform and the automated fire control systems of riverine vessels. The central hypothesis demonstrates that integrating telemetry data provided by drones directly into the calculation algorithms of automated artillery systems significantly reduces the "Circular Error Probable (CEP)" (Moran 1966) and reaction time, transforming the riverine vessel from a defensive asset into a precision instrument for supporting land or amphibious forces. The results of the study highlight the necessity for a resilient communications infrastructure in the Pontic basin and riverine areas, while offering a theoretical model for modernizing the striking capabilities of the Romanian Naval Forces at strategic points, such as the mouths of the Danube River.

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