NATO STO

Although NATO and its partners have long recognized the utility of operating Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), it has only been in the last decade that most NATO countries have started to build up means and forces that can counter these systems when they are used by an adversary against NATO’s interests. The size of some Unmanned Aircraft (UA) make these platforms hard to detect. The timelines involved with their operations are short, thus presenting a challenge for decision making. Existing means of engaging aerial threats are not always effective against UA and may not be sustainable in terms of available numbers and/or costs. Due to the low costs of UA and their ease of operation, it is possible to operate UA in large numbers, for example in a coordinated attack or when deployed as a swarm. This could easily lead to saturation of detection systems, an overload of the human operators and attrition of the effectors of a C-UAS system. NATO has initiated several activities that enable the enhancement of C-UAS capabilities. For example, a C-UAS Working Group was founded in 2019, which brings together many NATO stakeholders involved with C-UAS. Several NIAG studies were performed that address the shortcomings of surface based air defences in the C-UAS role. JAPCC has made a number of publications concerning C-UAS, including a comprehensive book on the subject. NCIA has performed an acquisition process for NATO C-UAS systems. STO initiated RTG MSG-154 (Low Slow Small Threats Modelling and Simulation) and SCI 301 (Defeat of Low, Slow and Small Aerial Threats). In addition, it held the Specialist Meeting MSG-SET-183 (Drone Detectability: Modelling the Relevant Signature). While significant efforts are being taken to address the challenge posed by sUA as a threat, it is felt that the current state-of-the-art of C-UAS capabilities is still developing and needs constant attention and progress to keep up with this new and ever-advancing threat. Academia, research institutes and industry are pursuing new technologies and developing more advanced products, while the military forces are introducing and expanding C-UAS capabilities and gaining experience with the actual operations of these systems. One of the recommendations of SCI-301 is to enhance the Modelling and Simulation (M&S) of C-UAS. It is felt that effective M&S can enhance making requirements to systems, the numbers that are needed and selecting the right elements of a C-UAS system (i.e. Simulator Based Acquisition – SBA). It can also assist in performing scenario assessment and evaluation, including making a laydown plan during the preparation phase of a deployment. M&S can enable effective training, for example in a Live-Virtual-Constructive (LVC) setting.