Portuguese Air Force Research, Development and Innovation Centre (CIDIFA): RD&I in the Area of Autonomous Unmanned Aerial Systems

The article describes the Portuguese Air Force Research, Development and Innovation (RD&I) programme, carried out since 2006 by its RD&I Centre (the CIDIFA), in the domain of Unmanned Aerial Systems. It focuses especially on the set of activities that ultimately led to the operationalization of the UAS in this branch of the Armed Forces, for maritime surveillance and search and rescue missions. Portugal has an extensive maritime domain, which assumes a substantial economic role in the country. As a result, maritime surveillance and monitoring activities, which are considered a priority, are deemed to be effectively carried out by UAS at the service of the Portuguese Air Force and Navy. Motivated by the successful results of the RD&I programme, as demonstrated by the high technological maturation already achieved, the CIDIFA will lead the process of industrialisation of the UAS, in collaboration with the National Defence Technological and Industrial Base.