Skip to main content

DisTec Agenda

Distec banner logo

2023 Theme: Exploiting commercial technology to protect our CNI

The Disruptive Technology (DisTec) theatre showcased cutting-edge technology from all industries group together to display how commercial innovations can be utilised within the undersea defence sector.

REGISTER INTEREST

Next Gen on day 3: This was an opportunity for the next generation of undersea defence enthusiasts to explore the latest advancements in the industry and develop their networking skills.

Take a look below to see what was covered in the 2023 agenda. 


Please note: More information on the 2024 DisTec agenda will be updated in due course.

Loading
11:20
  1. DisTec Theatre
    10 mins
    Join our chairman, Tim Vickery, as he opens the theatre for an exciting week of disruptive presentations and insightful discussions. 
11:30
  1. DisTec Theatre
    30 mins

    The European Defence Fund UWW Work Programme 2023 will focus on enhancing underwater situational awareness and engagement capabilities to protect critical underwater infrastructure and maintain maritime security in the EU. The programme will call for proposals in two areas: unmanned anti-submarine and seabed warfare, and mine counter-measures capabilities. The goal is to develop advanced systems that can monitor the underwater domain, engage underwater threats, combat underwater swarms, and accelerate the detection and identification of all types of mines, among other objectives. The targeted types of activities are design and system prototyping, including upstream and downstream development actions.

12:00
  1. DisTec Theatre
    30 mins
    Naval forces can maintain a competitive edge over their adversaries by having access to superior detection capabilities and an increased range of options for naval combat operations. In this session, iBULe Photonics discuss how they successively grew and upgraded the alternative to PZT ceramic: piezoelectric single crystal. This groundbreaking material can greatly improve the detection bandwidth and sensitivity of the SONAR system while achieving miniaturization of the SONAR sensor, allowing higher survivability for naval vessels but also providing strategic superiority in naval warfare. 
12:30
  1. Lunch Break and Exhibition
    60 mins
13:30
  1. DisTec Theatre
    30 mins

    Attacks on critical infrastructure are becoming more frequent. The most critical threats are the destruction of pipelines, cutting of submarine cables or attacks on offshore platforms such as wind farms. Both circumstances are difficult to detect because they are carried out underwater and therefore require special countermeasures. As the threat is latent, immediate action must be taken using existing COTS technology and infrastructure. ELAC Sonar's proposed solutions will be discussed at Distec 2023.

14:00
  1. DisTec Theatre
    30 mins

    The demand for 3D forward-looking sonars has surged in recent years across various industries, in the interest of safeguarding CNI and enhancing naval capabilities. FarSounder's breakthrough Argos sonar enables integration with machine interfaces to increase situational awareness. Argos detects in-water obstacles and processes a 3D bathymetric view, with a machine interface and a GUI for human in-the-loop view, assisting vessels navigate challenging waters from polar environments to shallow littorals. By helping vessels navigate more effectively, the Argos sonar is playing a vital role in defending our national interests and promoting safer marine environments.

14:30
  1. DisTec Theatre
    30 mins

    In the challenging and often treacherous conditions of underwater environments, naval crews must be able to rely on backup systems to ensure the safety and success of their missions when protecting our CNI. Stein Sohn's analog measuring equipment provides a reliable solution to this critical problem. The key technical feature of these measuring devices is their exceptional shock resistance, which is combined with intricate and delicate mechanical components. These features make the equipment the ideal backup systems that naval crews can depend on in even the most extreme conditions.

15:00
  1. Afternoon Break and Exhibition
    30 mins
15:30
  1. DisTec Theatre
    30 mins

    Protecting strategic underwater and offshore assets is an increasingly complex challenge that requires consideration of potential threats across multiple domains, from the sea bed to satellites, with interconnections between autonomous and conventional systems. This challenge affects a variety of industries, including oil and gas, wind farms, and defence. Developing resilience for underwater cables, pipelines, and seabed infrastructure is essential, and it can be made easier with the aid of artificial intelligence and modeling and simulation tools. In this session, Prof. Agostino Bruzzone analyses the technologies that can assist decision-makers in developing comprehensive solutions that address the various interrelated challenges posed by this multidomain scenario.

16:00
  1. DisTec Theatre
    30 mins

    WSense is a deep-tech company, born as a  spinoff of Sapienza University in Rome, specialized in underwater monitoring and communication systems, based on patented technologies that have pioneered the Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT).

11:20
  1. DisTec Theatre
    10 mins
    Join our chairman, Andrew Flinn, as he opens the theatre for an exciting week of disruptive presentations and insightful discussions. 
11:30
  1. DisTec Theatre
    30 mins

    Commonly-used hydrophones respond to acoustic pressure but give no bearing information unless used in an array. Vector hydrophones, on the other hand, provide bearings from a single hydrophone regardless of frequency, making them ideal to record aspect-dependent acoustic signatures. How do vector hydrophones work? What can you expect of them? What are their limitations?  Where can they be used? Examples include as a ad hoc bottom mounted sensor to collect data such as narrow band finger printing of targets of opportunity, or as an efficient critical asset monitoring tool and counter seabed-warfare.

12:00
  1. DisTec Theatre
    30 mins
    To effectively monitor large areas of real estate, traditional naval platforms require off-board autonomous systems to extend their capability. For over 20 years, Sonardyne has been developing a range of self-contained seabed sensor logging nodes with integrated acoustic communications and edge processing. This commercial-off-the-shelf technology has been widely used in Ocean Science and Offshore Energy markets, providing autonomous data gathering, processing, and real-time alerting for up to 12 years per deployment. These nodes can be deployed individually or networked over a wide area, and they are easily recovered, refurbished, and redeployed. The technology's potential for a wide range of operational seabed warfare scenarios can assist in naval defence and contribute to the protection of our critical national infrastructure.
12:30
  1. Lunch Break and Exhibition
    60 mins
13:30
  1. DisTec Theatre
    30 mins
    Cable protection solutions need to take into account a range of factors such as performance, cost, and environmental impact. In this presentation, we will be discussing effective strategies and innovative solutions for safeguarding cables within the defence industry. As a renowned company with decades of experience in the Renewables and Oil & Gas sectors, CRP Subsea proudly stands as a global leader in the field of polymer and syntactic materials. Our dedicated team of experts has spent nearly 50 years developing cutting-edge solutions capable of withstanding even the most extreme environments.
14:00
  1. DisTec Theatre
    30 mins

    With increasing mission complexity in underwater systems, modular design can be used to address challenges such as increased costs and downtime. By breaking down complex systems into smaller, interchangeable modules, maintenance and upgrades become easier, and security for critical infrastructure can be enhanced. The benefits of modular design include reduced downtime and complexity, cost savings, and increased security. In the session, we'll explore these benefits and real-world applications.

14:30
  1. DisTec Theatre
    30 mins
    Electronic components are critical for the safety and function of electronic assemblies. In order to avoid catching Trojan horses that can reverse the functioning of the assemblies, attention must accordingly be paid to the safety of components in the procurement process already. Unfortunately, a certain lack of transparency in the procurement markets prevents the sources of electronic components from being consistently known, even if appropriate labelling exists. Since international security standards in procurement can only adapt to the current technological and security-relevant conditions with a time lag, processing companies get a special responsibility in this process. As a consequence, Insyte S.A. have developed a methodology to ensure the reliability of electronic components.
15:00
  1. Afternoon Break and Exhibition
    30 mins
15:30
  1. DisTec Theatre
    30 mins
    As unmanned systems become increasingly prevalent in naval operations, it is imperative to understand the ethical and legal implications of using these advanced technologies. This session will examine existing international legal frameworks and their application to autonomous systems, along with policy considerations for states and organizations involved in developing and deploying these technologies, overall emphasising the need for transparency, accountability, and ethical guidelines in the use of armed marine autonomous systems.
11:30
  1. DisTec Theatre
    30 mins
    If you are a professional in the maritime industry or interested in pursuing a career in this field, joining a marine learned society or professional body can be a beneficial move for your continued professional development or career progression. In this session, we will discuss the advantages of joining societies such as the Society for Underwater Technology (SUT), the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology (IMarEST), and the Marine Technology Society (MTS). These societies offer a range of benefits such as networking opportunities with other professionals in the industry, access to industry-specific resources and publications, and opportunities for professional accreditation and continuing education.
12:00
  1. DisTec Theatre
    30 mins

    The naval industry presents an exciting and challenging career opportunity for those interested in pursuing a path that involves maritime technology and global security. In this session, we will explore the necessary skills for excelling in this field and tips on how to succeed, whilst looking at the next generation of naval engineering and architecture and what you can contribute to the future of the industry. Tom Rooney's extensive career working as a Royal Navy weapons engineer officer will provide valuable insights into what the future may hold for the naval industry and how aspiring professionals can prepare for the challenges ahead.

12:30
  1. DisTec Theatre
    30 mins

    After joining the German Navy in 1984, Rear Admiral Ulrich Reineke pursued Aerospace Engineering at the Bundeswehr University in Munich from 1985 to 1988, receiving a M.Sc (Dipl. Ing.). Ulrich held various positions in the Navy, including Gunnery Officer, Navigation Officer, Operations Officer, and Commanding Officer of different naval ships and sections from 1990 to 2016. Additionally, Ulrich completed several military training courses, including the French General Staff Officer Course in Paris. Ulrich became the Director of Plans and Policy at the German Navy Headquarters in Rostock from November 2016.

    This session will look into Rear Admiral Ulrich Reineke's extensive career and give you the chance to explore the different routes of the industry, ask relevant questions and consider your future options.

13:00
  1. DisTec Theatre
    60 mins
    This is your chance to have a professional headshot taken. Whether it's for your LinkedIn profile, job application, or personal branding, a professional headshot can help you make a great first impression and stand out from the crowd. It communicates professionalism, confidence, and attention to detail. A high-quality headshot can also increase your chances of being contacted by potential employers or clients.