Harbour Protection Trials 2008 (HPT 08) were prepared and conducted in Eckernförde from 25 August to 05 September 2008 on the basis of NATO MCG3 guidelines. To avoid additional organisational efforts, reduce costs and achieve synergetic effects, HPT 08 were carried out in combination with activities under NATO-Defence Against Terrorism ITEMS 2, 7 and 10 within the scope of TECH DEMO 2008.

The trials were intended to test new technologies for countering an asymmetric threat in the complex environment of a harbour and its approaches and to thus continue and, at the same time, refine the trials conducted in La Spezia and Taranto in the years before.

Industrial enterprises from NATO member states, capable of developing system solutions to counter the most different threats in the surface and subsurface areas and in the near airspace as well were invited.

Many more than 30 enterprises accepted the invitation and registered for participation in HPT 08. According to a decision made by the Quick Reaction Team (QTR) HTP 08 in January 2008, 30 enterprises were invited to participate in TECH DEMO 08.

At the beginning of the preparatory phase conducted in Eckernförde (18 Aug – 22 Aug), only 17 enterprises were able to meet the requirements of the demanding test environment and prepared for the trials in Eckernförde.

In deviation from the objective of the trials to test "systems of systems", enterprises that intended to introduce innovative individual components or subsystems were also invited to participate. With this mix of complete systems and partial solutions, a broad spectrum was covered and all parties involved (NATO, industry, research institutes) were offered the opportunity to introduce and inform themselves in detail.

2. HPT 08 Analysis Mission and Mission Aim

The Mission of HPT 08 was: Analysis and evaluation of tested systems effectiveness and capabilities in case of searching for, detection, localization, identification and defeating any asymmetric attack focusing on but not limited to those coming from the sea against a ship in harbour, harbour approaches and at anchoring areas in order to give an overview about the readiness level of a multi-dimensional harbour threat warning system with the integration of sensor for a subsurface, surface and a picture ashore for countering underwater attackers, mines, fast inshore attack craft and slow low flyers.

The aim of the analysis was as follows:

• Give an objective assessment of the capability of each system or single equipment

• Baseline of our analysis is the performance during the test serials

• The analysis for the AUVs will consider the NATO Technology Readiness Level (TRL)

• The analysis report will give an overview about the main parameters of the systems and/or single units

• The report will contain an operational statement. Generally the report will relate the results of the trials with the conclusions and assessments of the mentioned studies

• The report will not be the basis for future acquisition activities

COE CSW Criteria and Parameters

Mission of COE CSW during HPT 08 was to observe and to describe from an operational point of view, not to measure. Therefore COE CSW created some criteria and descriptive parameters, guiding the analysts through the observations.

Basically, the Technical Analysis will fuse technical data and evaluate the performance during the trials, check the TRL and the degree of Automation. Taking the NATO Studies 82, 86 and 110 into account, False Alarm Rate, connectivity, networking and the Quality of the HMI will be evaluated.

Based on the technical main points and results the operational analysis will be focused on :

Command and control effectiveness real time processing

- flexibility in sensor/effectors employment (automatic, semi, manual)

- interoperability with other C2 systems

- network and interface architecture

- communication

Data/information management

- Data exchange, recording and analysis

- Data fusion

- HMI

- covering of all dimensions (air/surface/subsurface/land)

- information handling (complexity, visualisation)

Reaction/engagement management capabilities

- possibility for escalation

- effectiveness/damage assessment (response control)

Sustainability

- personal requirement (number, training, qualification)

- requirements / demands on location,

- transportation, weather restrictions

- support/service

- on task time