Gdańsk Tech for Defense. Military Technologies at the BALTEXPO Fair
The 23rd International Maritime and Military Exhibition BALTEXPO has begun in Gdańsk. It is one of the most important events in the military and maritime sector. Among hundreds of exhibitors, Gdańsk Tech also presented projects related to security and defense, such as underwater drones, an autonomous boat, and a solar hydrofoil. The Gdańsk Tech booth was visited by Arkadiusz Marchewka, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Infrastructure, and Stanisław Wziątek, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of National Defense, who were attending the exhibition.
The 23rd International Maritime and Military Exhibition BALTEXPO has begun in Gdańsk. It is one of the most important events in the military and maritime sector. Among hundreds of exhibitors, Gdańsk Tech also presented projects related to security and defense, such as underwater drones, an autonomous boat, and a solar hydrofoil. The Gdańsk Tech booth was visited by Arkadiusz Marchewka, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Infrastructure, and Stanisław Wziątek, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of National Defense, who were attending the exhibition.
The 23rd edition of the International Maritime and Military Fair BALTEXPO commenced on Tuesday, October 7, and will continue until Thursday, October 9. The event is held at the Amber Expo in Gdańsk. The impressive exhibition space is divided into three zones: ports, shipyards, and military. It is in the latter zone that Gdańsk Tech has its stand.
– Polish science plays an important role in enhancing the resilience and security of infrastructure as well as supporting the defense potential of the Republic of Poland. As a university, we have signed an agreement to establish the Dual Use Living Lab under the auspices of NATO. This means part of our campus and research infrastructure will become a space where modern dual-use technologies will be tested, serving both civilian and military purposes – says Prof. Krzysztof Wilde, Rector of Gdańsk Tech. – Groundbreaking projects are also being developed at our university, which prove that our knowledge has real, strategic significance. The most important of these we are presenting here at BALTEXPO. It is extremely important for us to be able to showcase our ideas, both those that are ready and those still in the prototype phase. We want to share our knowledge and experience and build our country’s security together.
The Gdańsk Tech zone was visited on Tuesday by Arkadiusz Marchewka, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Infrastructure, Stanisław Wziątek, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of National Defence, as well as Polish senators Sławomir Rybicki and Ryszard Świlski, Gdańsk Deputy Mayor Piotr Grzelak, and Andrzej Bojanowski, President of the Gdańsk International Fair.
Visitors were able to familiarize themselves with four projects developed at the university.
TUKAN
The TUKAN project concerns the process of detecting, classifying, and identifying naval mines and improvised explosive devices using remotely operated and autonomous underwater vehicles. The reconnaissance vehicle is adapted for deployment from both manned and unmanned surface platforms, controlled remotely via radio.
The system consists of a semi-autonomous underwater vehicle, an operator console, and a server with software based on artificial intelligence. The design, weighing about 100 kg, will be capable of operating at depths up to 200 m. The vehicle is equipped with side and front sonars as well as a camera. Thanks to AI algorithms, the system will autonomously assess which object is a mine, unexploded ordnance, or an improvised explosive device. The vehicle operator will have the ability to verify the AI system’s suggestion.
GŁUPTAK
The “Głuptak” mine countermeasure system is an underwater drone tasked with identifying and neutralizing hazardous objects found in water reservoirs, including those resting on the bottom, buried in sediment, or hidden behind terrain obstacles. Głuptak can operate at depths from 5 to 200 m. To extend its operational range, it can be mounted on the remotely operated underwater vehicle Morświn – also designed at Gdańsk Tech.
The OPM Głuptak mine countermeasure system utilizes a small remotely controlled vehicle approximately 1.5 m long with a torpedo-like shape. Powered by small propellers driven by electric motors, it carries an explosive charge that destroys naval mines. Because it is a “one shot” vehicle, it is destroyed during such an operation.
The “Głuptaks” produced at Gdańsk Tech are currently deployed by the Polish Navy on three “Kormoran II” class minehunters.
HORNET
This is an autonomous, unmanned boat designed for the protection and inspection of Polish offshore installations, such as offshore wind farms, as well as for Baltic seabed research.
The heart of the "Hornet" is a proprietary ultra-fast information processing system integrating data from advanced devices and sensors, precisely detecting objects on and under water. All data are collected, analyzed, and processed by an onboard computer, enabling the system to make real-time decisions. In the event of encountering an unexpected obstacle, installed decision systems will safely navigate around it.
Moreover, the entire system’s security is ensured by a unique wireless communication system that provides connectivity with multiple unmanned units simultaneously. It is based on innovative smart antennas, which are an original product of Gdańsk Tech.
This is the first unit of its kind entirely developed in Poland.
SOLAR
Solar is a hydrofoil fully powered by solar energy collected from seven solar panels installed on the deck. The ability to rise above the water is enabled by the hydrofoil technology. These hydrofoils generate lift, raising the hydrofoil above the water surface, significantly reducing drag, which allows achieving higher speeds while consuming less energy. Thanks to this technology, Solar can glide over waves and has better maneuverability, giving it an advantage over conventional boats, which are more affected by waves and have a more limited turning radius.
The control system for the front hydrofoils was one of the biggest challenges of the project. The complex physics of the phenomenon, operating between water and air, and the large forces generated on system components required many months of research, CFD simulations, and mathematical modeling.
The boat was constructed by Gdańsk Tech students organized in the KTSO Korab Science Club from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Ship Technology. The project began in 2017 when the idea of building the boat was conceived. The actual construction took place from 2021 to 2024.
The BALTEXPO fair will run until Thursday, October 9. The Gdańsk Tech exhibition can be found in the military pavilion at booth C.55. Present on-site are scientists and experts from Gdańsk Tech’s Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Ship Technology, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Informatics, Gdańsk Tech Safety and Defense Technology Center, and the student club KTSO Korab. The substantive coordinator of the booth is Prof. Marek Dzida, Plenipotentiary of the Rector of Gdańsk Tech for Maritime Economy.
The detailed program is available on the BALTEXPO fair website.