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Editorial

Engineering and Technology for Naval Innovation,

Defense, and Digital Transformation

Ingeniería y Tecnología para la Innovación Naval, la

Defensa y la Transformación Digital

It is an honor to present this new volume of OnBoard Knowledge Journal, which consolidates the

journal’s trajectory within the disciplinary ﬁelds of Engineering and Technology, areas that are increasingly

essential to the advancement of maritime, riverine, and defense capabilities in Colombia. The eight con-

tributions included in this issue reﬂect a robust academic ecosystem that aligns scientiﬁc inquiry with the

operational and strategic needs of the nation’s naval sector. Such alignment is particularly relevant to the

mission of the Escuela Naval de Cadetes “Almirante Padilla” (ENAP), whose role as a national benchmark for

naval education positions it at the forefront of technological development, scientiﬁc training, and innovation

with impact.

The ﬁrst thematic axis in this volume centers on artiﬁcial intelligence, autonomous systems, and

computational models for decision-making and training. These works explore the development of adaptive

intelligent agents, the implementation of reinforcement learning strategies, and the formulation of compar-

ative analytical frameworks for national AI governance. Such contributions demonstrate how advanced

computational methods can enrich training environments, improve situational awareness, and guide institu-

tional strategic planning. For a naval academy that prepares future ofﬁcers to operate in complex, data-driven

scenarios, these approaches strengthen the pedagogical and technological foundations required for modern

maritime operations.

A second group of studies focuses on defense-oriented engineering, sensor technologies, and the

strengthening of national capabilities in advanced naval systems. These contributions discuss the relevance

of designing and developing electro-optical components for Remote Weapon Stations, the importance

of surveillance technologies for autonomous aquatic vehicles, and the operational beneﬁts of reducing

reliance on foreign suppliers. Engineering efforts of this nature directly support the self-sufﬁciency goals

of the Armada Nacional de Colombia and resonate with ENAP’s long-term commitment to cultivating a

national culture of research, innovation, and technological independence in the naval sector. Through these

investigations, engineering becomes a strategic instrument to improve precision, responsiveness, and security

in maritime and riverine environments.

A third thematic axis brings together research on cybersecurity, digital education, and ethical forma-

tion in technological contexts. These works highlight the vulnerabilities associated with digital environments,

propose tools that promote cybersecurity awareness, and emphasize the importance of integrating ethical

frameworks into technological education. For an institution like ENAP, whose professionals will lead naval

units reliant on digital networks, autonomous systems, and mission-critical communications, such studies

reinforce the necessity of fostering responsible, secure, and resilient use of technological infrastructures.

OnBoard Knowledge Journal 2025, 1, 0.

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Licensed by Escuela Naval de Cadetes "Almirante Padilla", COL.

This article is freely accessible and distributed under the terms and conditions

of Creative Commons Attribution (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

OnBoard Knowledge Journal 2025, 1, 0

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Finally, the volume includes research oriented toward instrumentation and educational innovation,

exempliﬁed by the development of interactive sensor-evaluation kits for IoT learning environments. These

engineering tools strengthen the practical formation of students and support ENAP’s mission to train ofﬁcers

capable of understanding, operating, and maintaining increasingly complex technological architectures

aboard naval platforms.

Collectively, these studies reafﬁrm that Engineering and Technology are essential pillars for the

scientiﬁc and operational advancement of the naval sector. They illustrate how academic research can

respond to institutional needs, contribute to national development, and prepare ofﬁcers and professionals

to navigate the technological challenges of the 21st century. As Editor-in-Chief, I extend my gratitude to

the authors, reviewers, editorial committee, Dean of research and doctoral studies, and collaborators whose

rigorous work makes this volume possible and strengthens the scientiﬁc mission of the Escuela Naval de

Cadetes “Almirante Padilla.”

José Escorcia-Gutierrez, Ph.D.

Editor-in-Chief