Portuguese Navy's future drone carrier hits the water

Upon completion, the MPSS will have a length of 107 metres and 650 square metres of clear deck space, allowing for the transport of up to 12 TEUs. The deck space can also be used to house mission-specific modular systems such as hospitals, hyperbaric chambers, and remotely operated vehicle equipment, as required.

The MPSS can be applied to a wide range of duties including managing unmanned aerial, surface and undersea vehicles; conducting amphibious support; emergency/disaster relief; search and rescue; diving support; oceanic exploration and research, and helicopter operations.

The future D. João II will begin undergoing sea trials later this year.