A tragic accident off the coast of Gdynia, which occurred last year, revealed significant shortcomings in the national marine rescue system. The answer to this challenge was the innovative Unmanned Air SystemSHAD– a solution integrating air and water capabilities, providing real support during search operations.

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SHAD – an unmanned system from the Naval Academy, which will change naval rescue

The idea of creating an unmanned unit capable of rapid movement in the air and effective operation on the water was born in the Academic Training Centre in Czernica. It was there, during the research workshops conducted by the Naval Academy in Gdynia in cooperation with the CTM Research and Development Centre, that the concept which over time evolved into a real project with great operational potential was outlined.

The immediate impetus for the project was a tragedy that highlighted the serious shortcomings in the technical capabilities of the national marine rescue system.April 24, during military training on Westerplatte beachOne of the divers lost his life. Faced with this dramatic situation, a team of Naval Academy students developed the concept of Unmanned Air Ship (BSP) pk.SHAD. The project was implemented by the engineer. Maciej Tyszecki and Ing. Jakub Tkaczyk, under the direction of kmdr Lt. Dr. Paweł Piskur. The initiative gained recognition as part of the 5th edition of the National Defence Ministry Award Competition for the development of innovative unmanned systems – air, land and sea – intended for applications in the field of security and defence of the state.

SHAD – a drone from Gdynia that can save lives / Shipyard Portal

Innovative design and operational capabilities

It is a project that gained recognition not only thanks to modern design, but above all due to practical application in operational conditions. BSP pk.SHAD, developed by Naval Academy students, was created as a need effect – and evidence of how quickly the scientific community can respond to the real problems of rescue services.

SHADis an unusual system that combines flight capabilities with the functionality of a floating craft. Its unique design, equipped with special floats of expanded polystyrene, allows it to land safely on water and maintain a stable position even at rough sea.Thanks to this it can lead precisebottom scanning using the Ping360 sonar, which detects objects up to 4.1 cm at a distance of 50 meters, with a total range of 300m. IfSHADwas available during that frail action, could soon locate the missing diver and hand over his position to the rescue team, significantly increasing the chances of saving lives.

A Key AdvantageSHADis his autonomy and reliability. The drone can be remote controlled from a distance of up to 3000 metres or operate fully on its own, performing a programmed mission. The flight control system, based on the advanced OrangeCube+ controller, uses data from numerous sensors including gyroscopes, barometers and magnetometers to ensure stability even in difficult weather conditions. In addition, system redundancy, such as dual GPS receivers with RTK technology, guarantees precise positioning up to 1 cm.

Tests by the team showed thatSHADis not only effective, but also durable. BSP can operate in the air for 25 minutes and in the drift position for up to a few hours, on one battery charging. Calibration of the control system significantly improved flight stability, reducing vibration by 60%, which translates into more accurate sonar measurements. The vehicle is currently tested by specialized personnel at the Academic Training Centre in Czernica using hydrophone. During the trials, the seabed inequality and numerous objects sunk in water have been successfully identified, confirming that the drone is ready to act under real conditions.

SHAD– the future of marine rescue and further development

In the future, the team plans to expand its capabilitiesSHAD-about submarine detection systems using artificial intelligence algorithms and integrating it into marine rescue networks.A drone could automatically alertservices after detecting a person in the water, which would further speed up the response in crisis situations.

SHADIt's more than just a technological innovation – it's a tool that can save lives. Its emergence shows the importance of combining scientific knowledge with practical needs, especially in the field of maritime safety. In the face of further challenges, such as the increasing number of accidents on the water, an unmanned man can become an indispensable part of emergency equipment.

DevelopmentBSPby young engineers from AMW

BSPSHADis the first official project developed by a team of students of the Naval Academy, which was implemented and used to conduct real research. It is from this construction that the path of young designers – both scientific and engineering – begins.

A year ago, the project won 2nd place in a competition organised by the Ministry of Defence, and on the basis of it, the engineering work was created, which was awarded as one of the best diploma works in Poland according to the evaluation of the Łukasiewicz – PIAP Research Network, co-operating with the quarterly „Automatic Robotics Measurements (PAR)".

In this year's edition of the MON competition, the team returns with a new solution – Unmanned Air ShipTUVIThe leader of which is the engineer. Maciej Tyszecki.The project involves building a capable systemto identify and classify objects, such as humans, vehicles or other unmanned vehicles, and to neutralise them with a precision pneumatic rifle.

The team does not slow down and actively seek partners interested in developing innovative concepts in the field of unmanned technologies. As the creators emphasize, ideas are not lacking – and their practical implementation can bring tangible benefits to security and defence systems.

Written by Mariusz Dasiewicz