GEOMETOC Assessment of the Littoral Environment Using Maritime Unmanned Systems

Authors

  • Laurențiu-Florin CONSTANTINOIU Romanian Naval Academy
  • Lucian DUMITRACHE Romanian Naval Academy
  • Eugen RUSU National Institute for Research and Development in Environmental Protection (INCDPM Bucharest)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53477/2284-9378-25-64

Keywords:

Geospatial;, Meteorology, Oceanography;, Hydrography, Maritime Unmanned Systems;, Environmental Assessment, Naval Operations.

Abstract

In naval operations, a detailed understanding of the operational environment is essential for mission success. At present, environmental assessments within the geospatial, meteorological, and oceanographic (GEOMETOC) domains are significantly improved through the employment of maritime unmanned systems (MUS). These systems are advancing rapidly, delivering information faster while maintaining, or even improving the data quality. However, effective use of these technologies requires not only proficiency in their operation, but also a comprehensive understanding of the characteristic limitations of these systems. This article examines the main systems employed for environmental surveys and outlines the advantages and constraints associated with these platforms and their sensors. This study is derived from observations regarding the utilisation of MUS during a series of experimental activities conducted within the framework of the operational experimentation exercise known as the Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping using Maritime Unmanned Systems (REPMUS) series, covering the period from 2021 to 2025. This exercise, recognised as the largest multinational experimentation initiative, is organised by the Portuguese Navy in collaboration with NATO Center for Marine research and Experimentation (CMRE), Faculty of Porto (FEUP), and European Defence Agency.

Author Biographies

Laurențiu-Florin CONSTANTINOIU, Romanian Naval Academy

Diploma in Maritime Engineering, from the Romanian Naval Academy (2009) and MSc in Naval Engineering and Navigation (2011) from the Maritime University of Constanta, Romania.

Florin achieved the IHO category B hydrographic surveyor (2018) from the Royal Navy Flag Officer Sea Training and University of Plymouth, as the top student of this international course. In 2020 he achieved the IHO category A hydrographic surveyor from the Royal Navy Flag Officer Sea Training and University of Plymouth.

From 2011 to 2021, he held various positions within the Romanian Maritime Hydrographic Directorate, serving in the hydrography, oceanography, and mine warfare departments. Between 2021-2025 he was the Romanian delegate at the NATO Maritime Geospatial Meteorological and Oceanographic Centre of Excellence in Portugal – posted as the Hydrography and Oceanography staff officer.

From May 2025 he is the Head of the Innovation and Research of the Romanian Navy.

He is a PhD student at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dunărea de Jos University of Galati, Romania, with the topic: Studies concerning the dynamics of the environmental matrix in coastal areas using maritime unmanned systems and innovative solutions, supervised by Prof. Eugen Rusu.

His main scientific interests include underwater research and maritime unmanned systems development.

Lucian DUMITRACHE, Romanian Naval Academy

Teaching and research activities in the disciplines of Hydrography, Oceanography applied to marine activities, Marine Cartography, Ports and waterways.

Duties in management, oceanographic/hydrographic/ topogeodesic survey activities, on research approvals according by the Romanian legislation for oceanographic and hydrographic research, as well as the storage of data according to IHO (International Hydrographic Organisation) standards.

Skills regarding the use of hydrographic and oceanographic research equipment. National courses: PC operation (Naval Academy), public procurement (Ministry of Development). International course: hydrographic governance (International Hydrographic Organization – International Maritime Organization). Training: hydrographic survey with single and multi-beam echosounders (Kongsberg, Teledyne).

Increased abilities to lead/manage projects and budgets during professional activities, acquired during the implementation of various research and development projects. Member of managements projects: An autonomous surface naval platform for the acquisition and transmission of data from a maritime area - the Sectoral Research and Development Plan of the Ministry of National Defence (2015-2016), SIROL, RIPTIDE.

Hight experience in implementing normative acts specific to the field of hydrographic/oceanographic research at national level, specialized studies and analyses in the field of hydrography, oceanography and safety navigation

Multitasking capacity accumulated during the inter-institutional relationship with different national/international, governmental or private entities with which I have collaborated since my professional career, a fact that required complex multidisciplinary approaches and at the same time the implementation at national level of the requirements/standards regarding marine geospatial information.

 

 

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Published

2026-01-19

How to Cite

CONSTANTINOIU, L.-F., DUMITRACHE, L. ., & RUSU, E. . (2026). GEOMETOC Assessment of the Littoral Environment Using Maritime Unmanned Systems. BULLETIN OF "CAROL I" NATIONAL DEFENCE UNIVERSITY, 14(4), 154–168. https://doi.org/10.53477/2284-9378-25-64

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 4 (2025)

Section

Articles

License

The published articles are subject to copyright law. All rights are reserved to the “Carol I” National Defense University, regardless of whether all or part of the material are considered, especially the rights to translation, reprinting, re-use of illustrations, quotations, broadcasting through the media, reproduction on microfilms or any other way and storage in data banks. Any replicas without the associated fees are authorized provided the source is acknowledged.