OPEX : IL PROGRAMMA ITALIANO CHE STA RIVOLUZIONANDO LA MARINA MILITARE

OPEX, an acronym for Operational Experimentation, is the program through which the Navy tests new technologies under real-world operational conditions, bringing together the military and industry. The Navy provides ships, ranges, personnel, and test scenarios; companies, including smaller ones, can test systems that they often would not be able to develop independently due to lack of space or resources. One of the goals is to accelerate the TRL (Technology Readiness Level), the level of technological maturity of a system, assessed on a scale of 1 to 9. Through OPEX, a company can leave the laboratory, verify the behavior of its product at sea, and collect useful data to improve its reliability and operational capabilities. Among the systems tested is General Defense's Revolution drone, an electric VTOL capable of vertical takeoff and landing. It can carry up to 10 kilograms, fly for approximately four hours without a payload, and cover over 400 kilometers. It can provide real-time imagery, track suspicious targets, and also act as a base platform for smaller drones. Another key player is the SAND by Fincantieri NexTech, a 16-meter-long USV with a displacement of 25 tons. It can reach 30 knots and operate for up to 72 hours at reduced speed. It is designed for ISR, search and rescue, and the deployment of additional autonomous underwater systems. During trials, it also employed the LIONFISH ULTRALIGHT remote tower. OPEX also involves vessels such as the Montecuccoli, Bande Nere, and San Giorgio. The latter is particularly suited as a Multi-Capability Carrier Vessel, thanks to its large spaces, flight deck, and the ability to accommodate reconfigurable modules and containers for testing aerial, naval, and underwater drones. In 2025, 12 unmanned systems were tested with the participation of 18 companies, confirming the program's value for the Italian Navy and industry. #OPEX #Navy #OperationalExperimentation #ItalianDefense #DefenseIndustry #MilitaryDrones #USV #SAND #Fincantieri #FincantieriNexTech #GeneralDefense #DroneRevolution #VTOL #MilitaryTechnology #Innovation #AutonomousSystems #ISR #SearchAndRescue #LionfishUltralight #NaveSanGiorgio #Montecuccoli #BandeNere #NATO