Challenge Weeks
Data2Sea 2026 Innovation in Action. At Sea. With Purpose.
Data2Sea 2026 is a multinational, mission-driven experimentation campaign to strengthen the protection of critical subsea infrastructure (CUI) and accelerate uncrewed/autonomous maritime operations.For ten days (13–24 April 2026) in the Rostock/Mecklenburg Bight, navies, industry and research organisations will integrate sensors, platforms and data services, build a common maritime picture, and validate response concepts under real-sea conditions.
Civil-military innovation is tested for operational value — together, at sea.
What is Data2Sea?
Data2Sea is SeaSEC’s next iteration of the Challenge Weeks: a focused, real-sea campaign to move from prototype to operational relevance. Participating teams trial detection, classification, localisation and response across surface, subsurface and air domains — while exchanging data securely between trusted partners to accelerate interoperability and, where feasible, interchangeability.
Why it matters
Recent incidents show that cables, pipelines and port networks are vulnerable. Data2Sea improves situational awareness and decision speed, so operators can deter, detect and disrupt threats earlier.
How it works
- Real-Sea Trials: Operationally relevant scenarios in the Rostock/Mecklenburg Bight (Germany).
- Data & Interop: Secure data-sharing to build a common maritime picture; open standards where possible.
- OpsDriven: End-user briefs, safety boards, spectrum & permissions, route planning and risk controls.
- From Demo to Use: Iterative testing with clear measures of performance and effectiveness.
Focus Areas (2026)
- Seabed Security / CUI: Survey, detect and characterise anomalies around cables, pipelines and landing zones.
- Autonomy & UxV: Coordinated UxV ops (USV/UUV/UAV), tasking & hand-over, and assured comms.
- Counter-UxV: Sensing, tracking and response concepts against malicious or unknown UxV activity.
- Data to Decisions: Fusion, analytics and rapid dissemination to operators and decision-makers.
Note: Specific challenges and test matrices are confirmed with selected consortia to align with capability offers and integration plans.
Who participates?
- Navies & Government users (operational requirements, safety & evaluation)
- Industry (platforms, sensors, effectors, data & C2 services)
- RTOs & Universities (algorithms, modelling, experimentation methods)
Participation is by selection. Observers and media opportunities are limited and scheduled on designated days.