Maritime Launch Phase
Before the mission begins and the USVs are launched, identifying a suitable landing zone is critical. But what defines a suitable landing spot?
Several key criteria must be met:
Maritime Accessibility
The water must be deep enough for the USV to approach safely. Shallow zones, submerged obstacles must be avoided.

The image above shows areas that are too shallow for safe navigation, highlighted in red. This visual indication gives the operator critical information about where the USV can safely operate and helps them to identify potential access points to reach the shore.
Ground Mobility
Once ashore, UGVs must be able to disembark and move inland efficiently. The terrain should be firm and navigable, offering a direct route to the mission objective.

The image above shows isochrones in yellow and orange. The isochrones indicate how far the UGV can traverse in a certain amount of time from its current position. They give operators an immediate understanding of the accessibility of the terrain. They are a powerful tool for assessing mobility, planning routes and synchronising movements with other mission elements.
Tactical Viability
The landing zone must be outside the range of known enemy positions and provide natural cover or concealment. The proximity to the target area must be balanced with operational security.

The image above shows the enemy’s line of sight in red. Integrating real-time tactical data, such as enemy positions, restricted zones and sensor coverage, directly into mobility planning enables operators to instantly assess the security and tactical viability of a landing zone.
Once the landing zone has been selected, the mission proceeds to the naval phase, which is marked by the launch of USVs.
During this critical stage, Carmenta’s geospatial technology provides essential maritime intelligence by integrating:
- S-57 and S-63 sea charts
- Bathymetric data
- Real-time sea weather information
Geospatial intelligence enables advanced analyses such as:
- Keel clearance calculations to ensure safe navigation in shallow or variable-depth waters.
- Ridge and valley detection to identify underwater terrain features.
- Dynamic vessel routing based on bathymetric contours or navigational chart data.

Carmenta combines these capabilities to ensure that USVs can operate with precision, safety and autonomy, even in complex littoral environments.