In September, the Troia peninsula once again became the centre of the world for unmanned systems. S4METRO was there, at the invitation of the Portuguese Navy, to support the operational side of REPMUS 2026 with what we do best: 3D scanning, dimensional inspection and reverse engineering. The objective was easy to explain and demanding to achieve: reduce the time military assets remain out of service to an absolute minimum.
The world's largest exercise of its kind
REPMUS (Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping with Maritime Unmanned Systems) is organised by the Portuguese Navy and is considered the world's largest operational experimentation exercise for unmanned systems. This 16th edition took place between Troia, Sesimbra and the Infante D. Henrique Technological Free Zone, bringing together:
- 4,445 participants
- 26 countries
- 575 systems under test, from aerial drones to surface and underwater vehicles
More than a demonstration, it is a true laboratory at sea. As Commander Caldeira de Carvalho told Euronews: "We experiment with what is not yet finished."
The role of 3D scanning at REPMUS
In an exercise with hundreds of systems in the field, every inactive piece of equipment is a lost testing opportunity. When a part breaks, wears or deforms, waiting for a spare can take days or weeks, especially with prototype equipment or when technical drawings are unavailable.
This is where our team stepped in, with portable 3D scanning equipment that we take wherever the problem is:
- Dimensional inspection: we scan the part and compare it with the original model or the specified tolerances. Within minutes, we can determine whether it meets specification, where the deformation is and how large it is.
- Reverse engineering: when no 3D model or drawing exists, we capture the geometry of the physical part and turn it into a digital model ready for manufacturing a replacement.
The result is a faster, better-informed decision: repair, adjust or remake. Above all, it means returning the equipment to operation as quickly as possible.
3D scanning on board a ship
One of the most memorable moments was the day we spent aboard a ship. Instead of taking the equipment ashore, we brought the technology to it. On board the ship itself, we repaired two units, which were able to return to service without leaving the place where they operate.
This is the value of portable 3D scanning in an operational context: measuring and resolving the issue where the equipment is, without transport, without delays and without interrupting the mission any longer than necessary.
Side by side with the Navy, academia and Portuguese industry
In Troia, we were part of an ecosystem of partners sharing the same objective:
- Portuguese Navy Operational Experimentation Cell for Unmanned Vehicles (CEOV)
- Arsenal do Alfeite, S.A.
- Instituto Superior Técnico
- Almadesign
- IdMind
- Beyond Vision
- Connect Robotics
- Flying Sharks
- Instituto de Soldadura e Qualidade (ISQ)
- OCEANSCAN-MST
- PDMFC
- SENTINEL
- TEKEVER
- UBIWHERE
- X-Spectrum
- 3D Ever
- INEGI
- PSP Centre for Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Underground Security (PSP-UEP-CIEXSS)
It was in this context that we welcomed the President of the Republic, António José Seguro, who highlighted the importance of Portugal developing its own technological capabilities. This is precisely what the connection between the Navy, academia and Portuguese industry demonstrates: knowledge developed in Portugal, with real and immediate application.
What this means for industry
What we did at REPMUS is not exclusive to the defence sector. The same approach applies to any company that depends on equipment to produce:
- Old parts or parts without technical drawings that need replacing
- Critical components that must be checked before returning to service
- Production line stoppages where every hour counts
With 3D scanning and dimensional inspection and reverse engineering, we help reduce downtime and support decisions based on data rather than assumptions.
Thank you to the Portuguese Navy for the invitation and its trust. We look forward to returning in 2027.
Do you have inactive equipment or a part without a drawing? Talk to us and together we will find the fastest solution.
