SMi’s Unmanned Maritime Systems conference returns to London for its second year May 16-17, 2018. SMi has recognized that there is a continuing need to consider how unmanned platforms will be integrated into the fleets of the future. Mixing “information exploitation” techniques with a new generation of autonomous systems, navies are building strategic advantage by using these platforms for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), mine clearance and delivering lethal capability.

As autonomous systems, ranging from aerial drones to underwater submarines, continue to develop as a solution to the operational requirements of maritime forces, unmanned systems are employed to tackle problems such as mine clearance—without any threat to frontline human personnel.

Navies across the globe must respond to ever more complex and contested operating environments, and unmanned and autonomous systems are becoming more critical than ever. Bringing together international operators and solution providers from a plethora of defence agencies, Unmanned Maritime Systems 2018 (UMS) promises to provide a valuable forum for anyone looking to enhance their unmanned capability.

Agenda & Highlights

Building on the success of last year’s event, UMS 2018 will have 18 expert speakers, 16 thought provoking presentations and over 80 expected individuals from military, academia, procurement and industry. Attendees will also hear comprehensive updates from organizations from the host nation in the wake of the successful Unmanned Warrior 2016 exercise.

These valuable briefings include, but are not limited to: Dr. Phillip Smith, senior scientist, Platform Systems Division, DSTL—a leading figure within MAST (Maritime Autonomy Surface Testbed) and driver of the autonomous revolution within the U.K.; and Rear Admiral Keith Blount, ACNS, Aviation, Amphibious Capability and Carriers, Royal Navy—the senior flag officer responsible for the operation of the Navy’s unmanned aerial assets who will provide a valuable end-user perspective on the utilization of these platforms.

Delegates will develop an international network that will enhance their understanding of key programs from around the world with informative briefings from the German Navy, Belgian Navy, Swedish Defence Material Organisation (FMV), EUNAVFOR Somalia, NATO MCM Centre of Excellence, ONR Global, Naval Surface Warfare Division, U.S. Navy and more.

Location

The Hilton London Olympia hotel combines an enviable location on Kensington High Street with comfortable guest rooms and first-class facilities. It is located a five-minute walk from Kensington (Olympia) station and ten minutes from Earl’s Court and High Street Kensington tube stations, with easy access into the city centre.

Kensington is a district within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in West London. The north east corner is taken up by Kensington Gardens, once private, but today a public park with Italian and Dutch gardens, public buildings such as the Albert Memorial, the Serpentine Gallery and Speke’s monument. The district’s commercial heart is Kensington High Street. The affluent and densely populated area contains the major museum district of South Kensington, which is home to Imperial College London, the Royal College of Music and the Royal Albert Hall.

SMi invites you to join program managers, thought leaders and senior officers at Europe’s only conference solely focused on naval unmanned and autonomous platforms and systems.

Visit the conference website for more information: www.umsconference.com/seatech.