Podcasts
Tension Podcast Ep. 13: Driving Innovation: Portugal’s Military-Tech Hub and the Power of Experimentation
by : AOD NetworkWhat Can We Learn from the Portuguese Navy’s Innovation Playbook? 🚀
What does it take to push the boundaries of maritime innovation? Captain António Mourinha, Innovation Advisor to the Chief of the Portuguese Navy, joined Donna Dupont on the Tension Podcast to break it down. From navigation officer to innovation leader, Mourinha shares how the REPMUS (Robotic Experimentation, and Prototyping with Maritime Unmanned Systems) exercises and NATO collaboration with 23 nations are shaping the future of maritime unmanned systems.
Key takeaways:
🔹 Defining Maritime Unmanned Systems – Clarity matters when integrating cutting-edge tech.
🔹 Interoperability Matters: Technology and procedures must align for seamless global operations.
🔹 The “Triple Helix” Model – A powerful partnership between military, academia, and industry.
🔹 Experimentation Without Limits – Inside the Free Tech Zone, where regulatory constraints don’t slow progress.
🔹 Innovation Lessons for Organizations – Know your ecosystem, engage regulatory agencies, and bring in the right partners early.
🔹 Fail Cheap, Learn Fast – A mindset shift for breakthrough innovation.
🎧 Tune in for real-world lessons in defense tech innovation at CEOM (Centro de Experimentação Operacional da Marinha)—apologies for the echo!
This podcast episode can be streamed below and is also available through Castos, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, TuneIn Radio, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Learn out Loud, Listen Notes, Player FM, Pocket Casts, Podcast Addict, Podchaser, RadioPublic and YouTube.
About This Episode’s Guest:
Captain António Mateus Anjinho Mourinha is the Innovation Adviser to the Chief of the Portuguese Navy. A Navigation Officer by trade, during his tours at sea he embarked in several naval units and got three commands at sea, in FPB, Patrol Vessel, and Corvette. Ashore, Captain António Mourinha served at the Patrol Boat Squadron, at the Fleet Command Staff, at the Portuguese Naval Staff and at the Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM).
At the Fleet Command, he was leading the planning of operational experimentation with Maritime Unmanned Systems and the exercises of the REPMUS series; At the Naval Staff he was the secretary of the Portuguese Navy Maritime Unmanned Systems (MUS) working group, being the representative, in the NATO Joint Capability Group on Unmanned Air Systems, in the NATO Maritime Tactical Unmanned Air Systems Working Group and in the NATO MUS Initiative Steering Board. At MARCOM he was leading the development of the new NATO MUS Exercise Dynamic Messenger. In his last appointment, CAPT Mourinha was serving as Director for the Portuguese Maritime Operational Experimentation Centre and the first Portuguese Free Technology Zone in Troia and Setubal Bay.
Show Notes
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Credits
Host & Producer: Donna Dupont
Editor: Mikhial Gurarie
Graphic Designer: Habiba Elgendy