The Technical Panels and Group of the NATO Science and Technology Organization (STO) held their 50th Business Meetings (BMs) this Fall, bringing together world-class scientists, engineers and analysts, as well as national and NATO body representatives, to help shape the future of science and technology in the Alliance. The six Panels and one Group marked this milestone in a series of meetings held from 26 September to 21 October in various locations across the Alliance.
Known as the “powerhouse” of collaborative science and technology in NATO, the STO Panels and Group are responsible for proposing and managing the programmes of work in their respective scientific areas, providing both critical technical oversight as well as key links to military users and other NATO entities. The successful management of the Panels and Group are therefore key to the successful delivery of the Collaborative Programme of Work (CPoW), which aims to equip all Nations with the science and technology necessary to develop the interoperable, cutting-edge capabilities that ensure battlefield success. The Technical Panels were established in 1997 with the formation of the NATO Research and Technology Organization (RTO), the predecessor to the STO. The NATO Modelling and Simulation Group (NMSG) was added under the purview of the RTO in 1999.
The bi-annual BMs provide an opportunity for each Panel and Group to reflect on and evaluate recent work, and to decide on proposed future activities, to be carried out by Technical Teams of national experts. Below are summaries from each of the Fall BMs held this year.
The AVT Panel Business Meeting in Varna (BGR)
Applied Vehicle Technology (AVT) Panel, 26-30 September 2022, Varna (BGR)
The AVT Panel addresses platform technologies for vehicles across all domains (land, sea, air and space). The Panel held several AVT Committee meetings over the course of its 50th Panel Business Week, which brought together approximately 400 attendees, as well as various technical and exploratory team meetings. Two research workshops were held during the week, as well: “Multi-fidelity methods for military vehicle design” (AVT-354) and “Environmental Regulation on Energetic Systems and its Impact on Critical Munitions Materials and Capability” (AVT-364). By the end of the week, the Panel and its committees discussed 28 new Technical Activity Proposals (TAPs) and discussed progress on more than 70 ongoing activities.
Learn more about the work of the AVT Panel.
Human Factors and Medicine (HFM) Panel, 17-21 October, Washington, DC (USA)
The HFM Panel works to optimise the health, human protection and performance of people in operational environments. The Panel’s 50th PBM brought together 47 Panel Members from 20 Nations and various NATO Bodies, including the NATO Arms Control, Disarmament and WMD Non-Proliferation Centre (ACDC), the Committee of the Chiefs of Military Medical Services in NATO (COMEDS) and Allied Command Transformation (ACT). The event began with a Symposium (HFM-RSY-349) on “Human Performance and Medical Treatment and Support During Cold Weather Operation”, attended by more than 160 experts from academia, government, industry and armed forces representing 16 different Nations. The PBM featured discussions on how the new NATO Strategic Concept will affect the HFM Programme of Work, as well as a presentation of the new NATO Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Policy, which builds on substantial input from the STO and HFM, through the Long-Term Scientific Study on CBRN (HFM-273).
IST 50th Panel Business Meeting, Stockholm, Sweden
Information Systems Technology (IST) Panel, 03-07 October 2022, Stockholm (SWE)
The IST Panel aims to advance techniques and technologies in order to provide war fighters, planners and strategists with dependable information on communication and networks, architecture and intelligent information systems. The Panel’s 50th PBM brought together 47 participants from 23 Nations and five NATO bodies: Allied Command Transformation (ACT), CCDCOE, NCIA, NHq3CS and NSO). Various events were held over the course of the week, including two Research Task Group meetings and a workshop on collaboration between the IST Panel and NSO. The meeting also featured guest presentations from the Deputy Director of the STO Collaboration Support Office and the Director of the Singapore Ministry of Defence, among others. The Panel examined six new TAPs over the course of the PBM, which was held in conjunction with a two-day Research Symposium on “Societal Challenges for Operations in the Information Environment” (IST-195). The IST Panel’s Spring 2023 PBM will be held for the first time in North Macedonia (Skopje), on 15-19 May 2023.
Learn more about the work of the IST Panel.
SET 50th Panel Business Meeting, Interlaken, Switzerland
Sensors and Electronics Technology (SET) Panel, 10-14 October 2022, Interlaken (CHE)
The SET Panel facilitates the exchange of information and cooperative research on the use of sensors and electronics for defence and security. Its 50th PBM – the first ever hosted by Switzerland – brought together 69 participants representing 23 Nations and three NATO bodies (ACT, CMRE and OCS). The week featured discussions in three focus groups – on multi-sensors and electronics, radio-frequency technology and optical technology – as well as several topical briefings on hypersonics, tiny-edge processing, electronic warfare, emerging and disruptive technologies, and the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA). To conclude the PBM, the SET Panel approved two new Exploratory Teams and endorsed six new Technical Teams for approval by the Science and Technology Board (STB), and national members indicated their interest in joining Cross-Panel Technical Teams that have been proposed through other STO Panels. The PBM was also held in conjunction with a Research Specialists’ Meeting (RSM) on “Space Sensors and Space Situational Awareness”, which brought together more than 90 experts from 23 Nations.
Learn more about the work of the SET Panel.
SCI 50th PBM, Bucharest, Romania
Systems Concepts and Integration (SCI) Panel, 17-21 October 2022, Bucharest (ROM)
The Systems Concepts and Integration (SCI) Panel promotes knowledge on advance system concepts, integration, and engineering technologies and techniques across platforms and operating environments. Its 50th PBM, held in in Bucharest, Romania, brought together 40 participants from 19 Nations and three NATO bodies. The PBM featured plenary sessions on a wide range of topics, including space, hypersonics, directed energy weapons, electronic warfare, autonomy, integrated defensive aids systems and situational awareness, among others. The Panel also discussed several new TAPS to be circulated in advance of the next PBM, and approved one new Exploratory Team and endorsed one new Technical Team, for STB approval.
Learn more about the work of the SCI Panel.
SAS 50th PBM, Copenhagen, Denmark
System Analysis & Studies (SAS) Panel, 19-21 October, Copenhagen (DNK)
The SAS Panel provides operations research and analysis that informs decision-making of NATO Nations and partners. The Panel’s 50th PBM, hosted by the Royal Danish Military, brought together 53 representatives from 27 NATO Nations and partner countries, as well as five NATO organizations. The hybrid meeting opened with an address from the SAS Panel Chair, Dr Donna Wood (CAN), who highlighted recent successes in the Panel’s Programme of Work, and emphasised the importance of relationships and synergies in generating new activities and strengthening international collaboration. Over the course of three days, participants provided updates on recent Field Trials, Cooperative Demonstrations of Technology (CDTs), the STO 2023 Working Group, STO Technology Trends 2022-2024, and other NATO priorities. One workshop focused on the Panel’s recent work in cognitive warfare, climate change, hypersonics and quantum, which have been recently identified as CPoW Challenges for the STO to address. The Panel also ratified 10 new multi-national research activities and reviewed five completed activities.
Learn more about the work of the SAS Panel.
The plenary session of the NMSG Fall Business Meeting, Bath, United Kingdom
NATO Modelling and Simulation Group (NMSG), 17-21 October, Bath (GBR)
The NMSG works to enhance operational and cost effectiveness across NATO by promoting cooperation among Nations and Partners to maximise the effective utilisation of modelling and simulation technologies. This year, the Group held its 50th BM in Bath, United Kingdom, bringing together 81 participants from 22 Nations, eight NATO bodies and one external organisation. The hybrid event opened with an address from Professor Dame Angela McLean, Chief Scientific Adviser at the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD), followed by a keynote address from MGEN Robin Anderton-Brown, Director of Capability at UK MOD Strategic Command. The event also featured meetings of NMSG subgroups and the Plenary Session, with discussions drawing upon current activities, the future Programme of Work, and the latest technical developments in modelling and simulation-related tools. The NMSG endorsed eight new Technical Activities, and awarded 2022 Excellence Awards to Mr Tom Van den Berg (NLD) and members of the MSG-188 Specialist Team on “Modelling and Simulation of Effects on Cyber Attacks”. The BM was held in conjunction with the NMSG’s annual Symposium on “Emerging and Disruptive Modelling and Simulation Technologies to Transform Future Defence Capabilities”, which brought together more than 100 attendees and presenters.
Learn more about the work of the NMSG.
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