Abstract

The Black Sea, being located at the confluence of Europe and Asia, has a significant strategic importance both at regional and international levels. In the current international context, the security and stability of the Black Sea region is of uttermost importance. For this reason, significant efforts are focused on ensuring IMINT capabilities by integrating IT systems for monitoring maritime activities, control of maritime borders, identification of military infrastructure in the Black Sea area, as well as for naval ​​mine detection. The project proposes an integrated and innovative approach for multi-source information retrieval (e.g. data collected by sensors placed on ships and aerial platforms, coastal stations, satellite data) through the development of a 5D IMINT Dispatch. The 5D IMINT Dispatch allows automated data collection, with incorporated location and timing, as well as an advanced data analysis in order to identify anomalies and trends in the presence of risk situations (e.g., the existence of floating naval mines). At the same time, the detection of potential risks and the prediction of future events using artificial intelligence tools is a important step forward towards early warning and timely support of decision makers. The development of the 5D IMINT Dispatcher contributes to the creation of a methodological framework for the standardization of IMINT data models and information flow, as well as for planning operations to prevent and eliminate maritime risks. Moreover, the identification of the main security risks in the maritime area leads to the definition of the main case studies, which are the basis of the IMINT proposal and which outline the demonstration of the concepts and methodologies that are implemented within the project, e.g. support for ensuring security for people and maritime transport of goods, monitoring and protection of oil platforms in the Black Sea.