A sea drone that steers and finds its own way will be tested in Burgas Bay within two weeks, said Dimitar Enchev, chief executive of the Burgas firm Helios Marine, which makes it.
Enchev spoke to journalists ahead of the international forum "BLACK SEA 2030: Security, Resilience, Innovation" at the International Congress Centre in Burgas.
The drone surveys coastal areas, and what it does depends on the module fitted to it. So far, only the version for air missions is ready.
Enchev said the company has already held talks with all the institutions involved. "We hope to let it work on its own once it passes certification," he said.
The drone can take samples, watch and track enemy drones, and inspect areas hit by an oil spill. It is also designed to search for and rescue people in rough seas.
Updated (30.10, 12:38): The chief executive is Dragomir Enchev, not Dimitar Enchev as first reported, Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) says. The platform is called Helios X. Bulgaria's European commissioner, Ekaterina Zaharieva, will also take part in the forum.