Optics11 at REPMUS25: Accelerating Maritime Security Innovation
From 1 to 26 September 2025, Portugal hosts one of the world’s most significant exercises in maritime defense innovation: REPMUS25 (Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping with Maritime Uncrewed Systems). Organized by the Portuguese Navy, NATO, the European Defence Agency, and the University of Porto, REPMUS brings together allied nations, academia, and industry leaders to test, validate, and advance the next generation of unmanned and autonomous maritime systems.
Over the past decade, REPMUS has grown into the largest experimentation exercise for unmanned maritime vehicles worldwide, spanning UAVs, USVs, UUVs, and ground systems. Its mission is clear: develop and integrate new technologies that strengthen NATO’s interoperability, resilience, and domain awareness in increasingly contested waters.
Optics11 at REPMUS25
This year, Optics11 proudly joins REPMUS25 alongside our partners:
- MacArtney Underwater Technology Group – subsea pod technology
- ZeroUSV – autonomous surface platforms
- EvoLogics GmbH – advanced communication and software solutions
Together, we demonstrate a collaborative, full-spectrum solution for maritime security, where sensing, communication, and autonomous deployment converge.
At the heart of our contribution are two cutting-edge Optics11 technologies:
OptiArray
A low-power towed array solution that delivers unmatched flexibility in underwater acoustic sensing. With its modular design, OptiArray enables naval forces and research organizations to rapidly deploy high-quality acoustic intelligence in diverse operational environments.
OptiBarrier
Our fiber optic seabed monitoring system designed for persistent, real-time surveillance over 100+ km. OptiBarrier detects and classifies underwater threats—from divers and drones to submarine activity—while remaining fully passive, meaning no emissions and no wet-end electronics. Its unique reliability and coverage make it ideal for protecting critical underwater infrastructure (CUI) such as:
- Energy networks and pipelines
- Subsea telecommunication cables
- Offshore wind and energy platforms
- Naval bases and harbor approaches
Why REPMUS Matters
REPMUS is more than a military exercise—it is where operational reality meets innovation. With rising threats to subsea infrastructure and NATO’s increased emphasis on securing the underwater domain, REPMUS provides the ultimate testbed for solutions like OptiBarrier.
Persistent domain awareness is no longer optional. As recent incidents in the Baltic and North Seas have shown, sabotage and accidental damage to subsea cables and pipelines can carry devastating economic and security consequences. OptiBarrier’s real-time, wide-area protection directly addresses this challenge, offering NATO and its allies the reaction time needed to deter, detect, and defend against hybrid maritime threats.
Looking Ahead
The highlight of REPMUS25 will be the Distinguished Visitors (DV) Day on 25 September, when allied naval leaders, defense officials, and industry partners witness first-hand the results of this month-long experimentation.
For Optics11, REPMUS25 is an opportunity to:
- Validate OptiBarrier’s interoperability with partner platforms and software.
- Demonstrate how collaborative innovation strengthens NATO’s underwater defense posture.
- Reinforce our mission: securing the seabed, safeguarding energy, and protecting global connectivity.
👉 Follow us for updates throughout REPMUS25 as we showcase how OptiBarrier and OptiArray are shaping the future of underwater domain awareness and critical infrastructure protection.
