Surveillance of maritime and land frontiers has to ensure effective detection of irregular immigration activities and provide the capabilities to react to such events. The technical response involves a wide spectrum of facilities: e. g. fixed surveillance stations, surface ships, manned and unmanned aircraft and satellites.
Remote Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) and Optionally Piloted Aircraft (OPA) could play an important role in further enhancing European border surveillance. Our main interest is their potential use for border control and for search and rescue operations (SAR) at sea, saving human lives being one of our priorities.
In this context, on 18 and 19 of April 2012, Frontex in cooperation with the Chief Directorate of Border Police of Bulgaria will hold a workshop on: “Remote Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) and Optionally Piloted Aircraft (OPA) potential for European border surveillance and SAR operations”.
Key stakeholders and representatives of the EU Member States authorities involved in border control will attend.
The aim of the workshop is to present and debate the potential of RPAS and OPA for European border surveillance and SAR operations, addressing topics like: the technical and operational features, payloads, data-links, legislation, to buy services or the product – a business case, cost-efficiency, comparisons with classical aerial surveillance, best practices and lessons learned.
The event will give also to the end-users and industry the opportunity to meet each other and to exchange their views, experience and needs.
Frontex therefore invites relevant industry to present its latest achievements in this domain, especially from the perspective of cost-efficiency.
Please note that space is limited and that participants will be selected on a first-come-first-served basis and in a way that ensures representation of the topic identified above. In case a company is selected, maximum 2 representatives are accepted. Each selected company will give only one presentation limited to 20 minutes.
In order to participate in the event under the above mentioned specifications, please express your interest and send your presentation in pdf/power point format by March, 21 to zdravko.kolev@frontex.europa.eu and dragos.voicu@frontex.europa.eu.
The acceptance will be confirmed to you by email, by March, 23.
Attendance is free of charge, but participants will be asked to cover the costs of travel and accommodation. Lunch will be provided during the event. The workshop will take place in Bulgaria.
More practical details regarding the workshop will be sent only to the participants whose presentations have been selected.