Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping with Maritime Unmanned Systems (REPMUS) is an annual multinational exercise led by Portugal, dedicated to the experimentation of Maritime Unmanned Systems (MUS). It brings together military organizations, academia, and industry to test operational concepts, emerging technologies, and innovative solutions. The COE supports the exercise by coordinating the Rapid Environmental Assessment Focus Area (REA FA) and collaborating with academic and industry partners in the development of environmental assessment capabilities to support military operations involving MUS.
Dynamic Messenger (DYMS) is a biennial NATO exercise focused on the integration of Maritime Unmanned Systems into Allied naval forces. The COE supports the Task Force Commander and HQ MARCOM through the production of an enhanced Recognized Environmental Picture incorporating data and products generated through REA activities conducted during the overlapping REPMUS and DYMS exercises.
As the custodian of ATP-32, in line with STANAG 1171, the COE is transforming it into a standalone publication dedicated to REA procedures while simultaneously developing the Military Oceanography Support Manual, which is intended to become AMETOCP-1. The Centre coordinates the teams responsible for revising ATP-32 and drafting AMETOCP-1, with the aim of achieving simultaneous approval of both publications in 2027.
The COE provides subject-matter expertise in developing NATO doctrine and has recently contributed to the following publications, among others: AMETOCP-2 (Meteorological Support Manual), AMETOCP-4 (METOC Codes Manual), AMETOCP-5 (Space Weather Support Manual), and the AOG (Amphibious Operations Graphic) data product specifications. It also contributes to the development of AJP-3.11 (METOC Support to Joint Forces), AJP-3.17 (Geospatial Support), AJP-3.29 (Space Operations), and STANAG 4817 (Multi-Domain Control of Unmanned Vehicles).
The COE actively participates in the Federated Mission Networking (FMN) initiative by contributing to the GEOMETOC Syndicate and the SWx Tiger Team, while leading the FMN METOC Team, which is responsible for defining METOC data standards, procedures, and information exchange requirements. FMN promotes interoperability between NATO and Partner Nations through the adoption of common standards, capabilities, and interoperable systems, which are validated during exercises such as the Coalition Warrior Interoperability Exercise (CWIX).
During CWIX, the Centre contributes GEOMETOC information-sharing capabilities, with particular emphasis on the development and validation of a federated catalogue service for the discovery and exchange of information. The Centre also serves as co-lead of the GEOMETOC FA, which further strengthens its role in advancing NATO interoperability in this area.
Over recent years, the Centre has provided METOC support to STRIKFORNATO (Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO), headquartered in Oeiras, Portugal, during exercises including Neptune Strike, Steadfast Defender, and BALTOPS, through the deployment of METOC specialists within the respective headquarters staffs. Although operational support is not the primary mission of a NATO COE, these activities provide valuable opportunities to apply and validate expertise and capabilities in an operational environment.
The COE also supports the Romanian Naval Forces during ROU OPEX, a biennial multinational operational exercise conducted in the Black Sea. The exercise aims to enhance readiness and interoperability in naval operations, with particular emphasis on mine warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and REA.
The Centre has developed a Rapid Environmental Assessment Data Hub (READH) Handbook, which has been offered to NATO as a comprehensive and practical technical reference for the design, implementation, deployment, operation, and long-term sustainment of a READH system. READH is a modular, standards-compliant data management platform specifically designed to support NATO REA processes in the maritime domain. The next step is to validate the handbook and the associated READH concept through testing and experimentation during REPMUS.
The Centre is currently developing a 4D environmental modelling capability supported by artificial intelligence, designed to integrate, visualize, and analyze environmental data across space and time. This capability will support operational applications including acoustic propagation modelling, sonar performance prediction, mine drift forecasting, protection of Critical Undersea Infrastructure, and Space Weather, thereby enhancing operational decision-making.
The COE currently delivers the NATO Course on REA Support to Maritime Operations and, in close cooperation with Allied nations, conducts the NATO METOC Tactical Operators Course and the NATO Military Oceanography Course. In addition, the Centre contributes to capability development by providing instructors and mentoring support for the NATO Geospatial and METOC Orientation Courses, which are delivered at the NATO School Oberammergau, Germany.
The COE actively promotes cooperation with academia and industry to accelerate innovation and facilitate the transfer of knowledge into the operational domain. In this context, it maintains partnerships with organizations including CENTEC/Instituto Superior Técnico in the field of ocean modelling and the Geophysical and Astronomical Observatory of the University of Coimbra in the field of SWx. The Centre also collaborates with several technology companies, including Kongsberg Geospatial and North.io, contributing to the development of innovative solutions in maritime situational awareness, environmental modelling, and ocean data exploitation.
The Centre regularly hosts NATO meetings and technical panels, including recently the Military Committee Working Group METOC, the Joint Operations Meteorological and Oceanographic Support Committee, the Geospatial Maritime Working Group Technical Panel, and the Space Weather, Meteorology and Oceanography Technical Panels. These forums bring together experts and representatives from Allied nations to coordinate policies, develop standards, and strengthen interoperability across the geospatial, meteorological, and oceanographic areas.