The Philippine Navy (PN)’s communications capabilities got an upgrade following the activation of its Naval Operating Reporting System (NORS) giving the service the ability to monitor the status of all its deployed naval ships, aircraft and marine units.

“NORS was created to assist in reporting individual status and operating conditions of all deployed naval ships, aircraft, and marine units, providing the leadership with timely situational awareness and a common operating picture for effective decision-making,” Navy spokesperson Commander Benjo Negranza said in a statement Wednesday.

NORS was activated last May 16 during short ceremonies at Navy headquarters at Naval Station Jose Andrada along Roxas Boulevard, Manila and is part of the PN’s 124th founding anniversary highlights this coming May 20.

“NORS’ unit reporting, asset tracking, and event management systems collect daily accomplishment reports and operational updates, monitor the Navy’s air, surface, and land assets, and log spot reports and maritime incident reports for data analytics,” Negranza said.

Another PN communications capability unveiled at the same time is the enhanced Electronic Document Management System (EDMS).

“The enhanced edition of EDMS, on the other hand, now includes naval correspondences (naval, military, and civilian letters) and radio messages, further widening its scope in the Navy’s field of communications,” Negranza said.

EDMS allows the PN Headquarters personnel and staff to electronically route communications or correspondences to and from the PN headquarters staff and the Navy flag-officer-in-command.

“The Navy’s move towards updated cyberspace capacities is in line with the organization’s modernization efforts, enabling the organization to become a multi-capable naval institution,” the PN spokesperson said. (PNA)