Warsaw, 14.12.2018
MAS ATLANTIC
FINAL REPORT
Frontex - European Border and Coast Guard Agency
www.frontex.europa.eu | Pl. Europejski 6, 00-844 Warsaw, Poland | Tel. +48 22 205 95 00 | Fax +48 22 205 95 01
MAS ATLANTIC
Introduction
The Multipurpose Aerial Surveillance (MAS) concept is based on the collection of data
, including Full Motion Video, by means of sensors installed on an aircraft (e.g. RPA), which is then streamed
in real-time to the European Monitoring Team (EMT) and to the competent situational centres
for follow-up activities in case of need.
For this implementation of surveillance activities in the Atlantic, that took place between 25th of September and
30 November, having as base the airfield of
, Frontex role was defined as the Service
Implementer having EMSA as the Service Provider.
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For this activity, the following operational objectives were established in
view of the multipurpose nature:
Support real-time monitoring of pre-frontier areas;
Support real time-monitoring of coast guard operations at EU level;
Enhance border security;
Enhance surveillance and reconnaissance;
Support fisheries control;
Support visual identification of Search and Rescue beacons and emergency distresses;
Enhance exchange of information between the participating entities;
Support pollution operations.
Description of the Service
The Operational Implementation of the multipurpose aerial surveillance activities with the new aerial platform
were supported in two main elements as part of the requested service to EMSA: the Data Centre Interface and
the Aerial Platform.
Following the finalization of implementation the summary on the use of the elements is as follows:
1. Data Centre Interface
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2. Aerial Platform
R
Cooperation with Member State/EMSA
The Cooperation with the Member State allowed to validate MAS concept through a balanced, and highly
appreciated, support provided by the different Portuguese authorities. The Experts, as representatives of the
different National Authorities, provided a valuable support with their daily contributions to the ongoing
operations, demonstrating a high level of professionalism and commitment.
The support provided by EMSA, during the whole period of implementation, was considered of great value being
delivered always in a very prompt way. This constant support was extend to the most practical level, having
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included a visit to FRONTEX premises, dedicated to follow the work of the EMT during the flights with the intent
to collect direct feedback from the end user.
General considerations
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Annex 1 - STATISTICAL FIGURES
1. In planned missions the overall perspective regarding the number of flights performed was the one
below
Flight
Flight
Number of
Flights
hours
hours
Planned
Executed
Cancel ed
Aborted
Shortened
Test Flights
Executed as
planned
Grand Total
Table 1 - Number of Flights and Statistics
Graphic 1 – Flight Status
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MAS ATLANTIC
2. In
planned missions the main reasons for deviation were the ones depicted below:
Number Of Deviations
Table 2 – Reasons for Deviation
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