The image shows a map of a coastal area. It shows a cross-domain UxS scenario with a USV route shown in green, a UGV route shown in pink and a UAV route shown in yellow.

Uncrewed Military Mobility Across All Domains

In the ever-changing field of modern multi-domain operations (MDO), the capacity to effortlessly coordinate and manoeuvre uncrewed systems (UxS), including aerial, ground and maritime platforms, is not merely advantageous, it is essential to the success of the mission.

These operations demand a high degree of interoperability, real-time responsiveness, and adaptive decision-making across diverse and often contested environments.

Carmenta technology enable the seamless mobility of uncrewed systems (UxS) within a unified operational framework spanning land, air and sea. Find out how!

Mission Scenario

Multi-Domain UxS Deployment from Sea to Land to Air

Imagine a high-stakes coastal operation; a joint force initiates a mission from an offshore naval vessel. On board the ship, a crewed or uncrewed autonomous surface vessel (USV) is prepared for deployment. This USV is loaded with a combination of manned and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). The USV is launched towards the shoreline, where it deploys the UGVs upon arrival.

Once ashore, the UGVs begin their inland advance, moving either autonomously or under remote supervision. Their objective is to establish a forward operating position from which surveillance drones (UAVs) can be launched. The drones then ascend into the air, scanning the terrain ahead and relaying live video and sensor data back to the command centre.

Geospatial Intelligence through all Phases

Carmenta’s advanced geospatial technology is pivotal in meeting the demands of military mobility in the UxS domain. It delivers real-time situational awareness, enabling commanders and autonomous systems to make informed decisions based on live data feeds, terrain analysis and threat overlays.

Let’s take a closer look at how the Carmenta Engine supports all phases of the mission with geospatial intelligence, enabling seamless operation across all domains.

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 shows a map of a coastal area. An area highlighted in red shows where the water is too shallow for safe navigation. Areas in yellow and orange show isochrones that indicate how far a UGV can traverse in a certain amount of time from its current position.

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 shows a map of a coastal area. Areas in red show enemy line of sight.

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.

The image shows a map of a coastal area. It shows a vessel route in pink and analysis such as keel clearance calculations, and ridge and valley detection.

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

Ground Advance Phase

Upon beaching, the UGVs disembark and begin inland movement, either autonomously or under remote control. This phase is crucial for setting up a forward presence and preparing for future surveillance or engagement operations. This phase demands more than just mobility; it requires intelligent navigation, real-time adaptability and tactical awareness. Carmenta’s geospatial engine is central to enabling these capabilities.

The image shows a map of a coastal area. Enemy line of sight is highlighted in red. A UGV route is shown in pink, finding a path that stays out of enemy line of sight.

  • Assess terrain and surface conditions using elevation models and terrain analysis.
  • Identify safe, efficient routes while avoiding natural and tactical obstacles.
  • Optimize routing for energy, time, concealment, and mission-specific priorities.
  • Adapt dynamically to real-time terrain, threat data, and evolving mission objectives.
  • Re-plan missions on the fly, even in disconnected or contested environments.

For a deeper dive into each capability, explore these resources:

Drone Launch Phase

Once the UGVs have advanced inland and established a secure forward position, the next phase of the mission begins; launching UAVs for surveillance and reconnaissance.

In this phase, Carmenta’s geospatial technology plays a critical role in enabling UAVs to operate effectively in highly dynamic and contested environments.

The image shows a map of a coastal area. Enemy line of sight is highlighted in red. Drone launch zone selection is highlighted in green.

Launch Zone Selection

  • Terrain elevation and slope to ensure safe take-off.
  • Line-of-sight visibility for maintaining communication links.
  • Proximity to the target area for efficient coverage.

The image shows a map of a landscape. It shows a drone route in yellow, that is calculated to avoid three enemy observation areas that are marked in red.

Tactical UAV Routing

  • Nap-of-the-earth flight paths that account for UAV flight characteristics (e.g., speed, climb rate), terrain elevation and slope, and exposure to enemy observation or sensor systems.
  • Maintain low visibility while preserving optimal sensor coverage.
  • Choose the “right side” of terrain features based on threat direction and mission goals.

Real-Time Adaptability

  • Recalculate routes on the fly.
  • Avoid newly detected threats.

Mission-Specific Optimization

  • Mission-tailored routing (e.g., lowest exposure, fastest ingress, best sensor angle).
  • Sensor field-of-view modelling to ensure optimal coverage from low altitudes.

Intelligence Collection and Integration

  • Georeferences incoming live data in real time.
  • Overlays intelligence onto the operational map.
  • Feeds actionable insights back to commanders and other systems.

Summary

In today’s complex, multi-domain operational environments, success hinges on the ability to coordinate uncrewed air, land and sea systems with precision, autonomy and real-time intelligence. Carmenta’s geospatial technology delivers precisely this.

By integrating high-resolution terrain data, maritime charts, threat overlays and dynamic routing capabilities into a unified operational picture, Carmenta enables autonomous decision-making at the edge.

  • Autonomous decision-making at the edge.
  • Real-time mission adaptability.
  • Safe, stealthy and synchronised movement across all domains.
  • Seamless interoperability between UxS platforms and command systems.

From nap-of-the-earth UAV routing to UGV terrain navigation and USV coastal operations, Carmenta empowers defence forces to act faster, smarter and safer, even in the most contested and disconnected environments.

In short, Carmenta transforms geospatial data into a decisive operational advantage, making it an essential enabler of next-generation UxS missions.

 

Watch the Full Multi-Domain UxS Deployment from Sea to Land to Air

Related knowledge