Concept of Operations for Unmanned Rotorcraft in Maritime Security and Rescue Operations in Germany

Kurzfassung

Maritime security and search and rescue missions can be enhanced by the operation of unmanned rotorcraft from patrol ships. In this paper we present a concept of operations for an unmanned rotorcraft equipped with a tethered ship deck landing system. The paper covers the topics of drone regulation in Germany and Europe, the definition of use cases, stakeholders, rotorcraft specifications, and infrastructure, as well as a preliminary risk assessment. The concept of operations serves as basis for the experimental evaluation of the presented technologies and can serve as first input for the later implementation of real maritime drone operations from patrol ships.