Revolutionizing unmanned operation in SOF: The PROTEAS Collaborative Multi-Agent System

In today's fast-changing world, military forces need to be faster, smarter, and more adaptable than ever. That’s where PROTEAS comes in—a groundbreaking project funded by the European Defence Fund 2022 Programme. This aims to revolutionize the state-of-the-art Special Operations Forces Command Post for Command and Control (SOFCPC2).

What Makes PROTEAS a Game-Changer?

At its core, PROTEAS is developing an advanced Special Operations Forces Command Post and Control (SOFCPC)—a high-tech, modular, mobile command hub that empowers EU-led Small Joint Operations (SJO) to operate seamlessly, no matter the mission or environment and in compliance with European Union (EU) standards and the EU-Members’ and Norway’s specific operational needs.

• Shelters: An air/sea/ground transportable and rapidly deployable Command Post.
• Energy Supply System: Military grade, autonomous, horizontally scalable and stealthy.
• ICT Infrastructure: Interoperable and cyber-secure, capable of exchanging information across the entire hierarchy.
• Command and Control: Multi-domain Command and Control (C2), capable of supporting operations related to intelligence gathering from various sources.
• Portable Devices: Portable devices to give SOF Task Groups a tactical edge.
• Manned/Unmanned Assets: Employed by SOF Task Groups for transportation or intelligence gathering.
• Perimeter Security: A modular and scalable platform able to detect and manage threats, ensuring the safety and security of the SOF CP.

Why it matters

By aligning with EU defense standards and addressing the unique operational challenges of EU member states and Norway, PROTEAS ensures that European Special Forces are sufficient equipped, more agile, and mission-ready to defend any symmetric and asymmetric threats inside and outside the EU territory which require fast response and the ability to rapidly deploy transportable units.

PROTEAS covers all necessary study, design, system prototyping, testing and validation actions required to engineer a state-of-the-art prototyped SOFCP to support SOF operations in SJO missions. PROTEAS will be the first European effort to develop such a SOFCP, making the PROTEAS envisaged impact of paramount importance both at national and EU level.

Our contribution: Integrating Autonomous Operations with CMAS

In the rapidly evolving landscape of military autonomous operations, the PROTEAS Collaborative Multi-Agent System (CMAS) stands as a critical intermediary between the Special Operations Forces Command Post (SOFCP) and unmanned platforms such as Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).

Designed to facilitate seamless coordination and enhance operational efficiency, CMAS serves as a sophisticated mission management tool that transforms high-level multi-agent objectives into precise, executable tasks for each involved unmanned platform.

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A mission-Centric approach

At its core, CMAS empowers SOF operators to define overarching, high-level mission goals—such as a collaborative Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission involving both USVs and UAVs. The system takes these strategic objectives and autonomously calculates specific tasks for each platform within the Multi-Agent System (MAS). By automating critical mission elements, CMAS ensures smooth execution across all involved unmanned assets.

Key functioning of cmas

• Path Calculation: Generates optimal navigation paths for each unmanned platform to ensure efficient and safe execution of tasks.
• Mission Planning: Translates high-level objectives into a comprehensive plan, detailing specific tasks and schedules for all assets.
• Mission Monitoring: Provides real-time oversight of mission progress, enabling C2 operators to maintain situational awareness.
• Tasking of Assets: Assigns precise, time-sensitive tasks to each platform, ensuring coordinated execution at designated locations.

By centralizing these functions, CMAS significantly enhances the effectiveness and efficiency of unmanned operations.

Reducing operator cognitive load

One of the key benefits of CMAS is its ability to reduce the cognitive burden on C2 operators. Traditionally, tasking unmanned platforms requires significant manual input and monitoring, which can overwhelm operators and limit mission scalability.

CMAS tackles this challenge through effect-based tasking, automating mission planning and execution. By allowing operators to define the desired outcome without specifying detailed logistics, it enables them to focus on strategic decision-making (the desired effect) rather than intricate task management.

Enabling Collaborative Autonomy

With its focus on collaboration, CMAS ensures that USVs and UAVs work together seamlessly to achieve mission objectives. Its sophisticated algorithms account for the unique capabilities and limitations of each platform, ensuring optimal task allocation and synchronized execution.

By bridging the gap between the SOFCP and unmanned platforms, CMAS facilitates a cohesive and efficient operational ecosystem.

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The PROTEAS Collaborative Multi-Agent System (CMAS) represents a transformative leap in mission management for unmanned platforms. By automating critical processes and enhancing collaborative autonomy, CMAS empowers operators to achieve complex mission objectives with precision and efficiency.

With 14 partners and one affiliated entity across EU Member States and Norway, the PROTEAS (DePloyable Special OpeRations FOrces MulTi Environment CommAnd Post and C2 System) consortium is driving innovation in defense technology. Supported by the European Defense Fund 2022 Programme (EDF-2022-DA) under Grant Agreement No. 101121371-PROTEAS-EDF-2022-DA and Ministries of Defense from Greece, Italy, France, Norway and Belgium we’re shaping the future of defense technology. 

For more information about the project, visit this link.

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