ABU DHABI, — UAE defence technology group EDGE has integrated autonomous maritime and aerial systems during a naval demonstration involving the United Arab Emirates Navy and the United States Navy. The exercise showcased Emirati and allied technologies operating under a unified command structure for reconnaissance and force protection missions.
The demonstration took place in the presence of Major General Staff Humaid Mohammed Al Rumaithi, Commander of the UAE Naval Forces, and featured maritime technologies from the UAE, the United States and the United Kingdom. EDGE provided operational facilities, planning expertise and equipment, while its specialists worked with both navies to design and conduct the scenarios. Unmanned surface vessels (USVs) used artificial intelligence (AI), onboard sensors and command-and-control systems.
Unified Command and Autonomous Operations
Hamad Al Marar, EDGE’s managing director and chief executive officer, said effective coordination and control are increasingly important as autonomous systems become more capable.
The demonstration connected participating systems through a single command layer, allowing human operators to define mission parameters while AI supported execution. This provided Emirati and allied forces with a common operating picture for coordinated activities across the air and sea.
The command architecture centred on TACTICA AI’s Naval Warfare C2 Centre for Autonomous Systems, paired with HADAF, a sovereign UAE targeting system based on military doctrine, operational knowledge and rules of engagement. The exercise also used the Maritime Autonomy Kit, developed by the Technology Innovation Institute (TII).
EDGE led the integration of sovereign autonomous systems for a UAE Navy demonstration with the US Navy. One command layer connected multiple systems, turning autonomy into coordinated action and strengthening interoperability between allied forces https://t.co/JyLjOVc3fK
— EDGE (@_edgegroup) October 22, 2026
170 M-DETECTOR and Maritime Capabilities
A key asset was the 170 M-DETECTOR, a 17-metre surface vessel produced by EDGE entity Abu Dhabi Ship Building. It can operate in manned or unmanned configurations and supports surveillance, mapping and surface operations.
The vessel features two 900-horsepower diesel engines, speeds of up to 40 knots, a silent electric propulsion mode, multi-beam sonar and 360-degree cameras.
Counter-Drone Defence and Surveillance
EDGE deployed the VORTEX-E interceptor and SKYSHIELD-N naval counter-unmanned aerial system to protect naval assets against drone threats. SKYSHIELD-N can jam and spoof drone command links and GNSS frequencies at ranges of up to 10 kilometres, according to the supplied information.
The forces also used GPS-PROTECT anti-jamming technology to protect satellite navigation. The MIRSAD-X multispectral electro-optical imager, working alongside a network of maritime radars, handled detection and tracking.
Strengthening UAE-US Naval Cooperation
EDGE said operating its systems alongside allied military assets helped improve interoperability between the UAE and US navies. Participants also exchanged operational knowledge and assessed the potential application of autonomous maritime technologies in defence operations.
The demonstration highlighted the integration of unmanned vessels, sensors, targeting systems and counter-drone defences under a common command structure to support maritime reconnaissance and force protection.
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