This week, SMA-RTY has arrived in La Spezia to participate in OPEX TASK 1-25, the operational exercise organized by the Italian Navy to explore and validate innovative technologies for maritime operations. Over the next few days, our team will carry out system checks and field trials, ensuring that all components are fully operational ahead of Wednesday’s Distinguished Visitors (DV) Day. On this occasion, in partnership with Sitep Italia S.p.a., we will demonstrate how NGCI, our standalone 5G solution, can support integrated communication capabilities for unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) and naval platforms.

About OPEX TASK 1-25

The exercise, running from 26 to 29 May, represents a key initiative of the Italian Navy to test Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) technologies in multidomain maritime scenarios. The operations include everything from mine warfare to Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), as well as counter-UAV (C-UAV) operations in littoral waters. For SMA-RTY, participation in this exercise is a unique opportunity to show the performance and reliability of NGCI in complex maritime conditions, where connectivity must be seamless, secure, and low-latency to support autonomous systems alongside crewed naval platforms.

Our demonstration

In collaboration with Sitep Italia S.p.a., we will showcase live communications between USVs and naval platforms, proving the capacity of our standalone 5G network to operate in challenging real-world environments. The demonstration will highlight:

• Real-time data exchange for unmanned and manned platforms
• Low-latency communication, essential for coordinated operations
• System reliability under operational stress
• Scalability and interoperability with existing naval communication infrastructure This engagement reflects SMA-RTY’s commitment to providing innovative, field-ready solutions that enhance the operational capabilities of maritime forces, supporting both safety and efficiency in critical missions.

Why it matters

Operational exercises like OPEX TASK 1-25 are essential to bridge the gap between lab-tested technologies and field-proven solutions. For SMA-RTY, these trials are not only a demonstration of technology but also an opportunity to gather data, refine systems, and ensure readiness for real-world deployment. As maritime operations grow more complex and unmanned systems become increasingly integrated, reliable multidomain connectivity is a fundamental enabler of modern naval strategy.