STONewsArchive: Are major weapons platforms obsolete?
Title:
Are major weapons platforms obsolete?
Start_Publishing:
11/05/2023
Panel_Page:
SAS
Page_ID:
3904
Main_Body_Multi:
The Leopard 2 A4NO is the Norwegian Army’s tank and main battle system
The NATO Science and Technology Organization (STO) held a Research Specialists’ Meeting this month that examined whether new technologies have rendered major weapon platforms obsolete. The meeting, held on 08-10 May in Harstad, Norway, was established under the STO System Analysis and Studies (SAS) Panel and hosted in cooperation with the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI).
The event (SAS-174) brought together 50 experts from a wide range of domains for discussions on a possible decline in major weapon platforms (aircraft, surface combatants, submarines and fighting vehicles), and the implications that such a decline would have on forces. As weapons become more sophisticated in their navigation, range, accuracy and lethality, weapon platforms need to incorporate increasingly advanced means of protection – including stealth, mobility, air defence, electronic warfare and active protective systems.
The symposium opened with remarks from Maj Gen (retd) Philippe Montocchio, Deputy Director of the STO Collaboration Support Office, and Gen (retd) Sverre Diesen of the FFI, who serves as the SAS-174 Programme Committee Chair.
Gen (rtd) Sverre Diesen, SAS-174 Programme Committee Chair
“Throughout history, overwhelming firepower has been obtained by employing heavy platforms,” said Maj Gen Montocchio in his remarks. “New technologies, rendering heavy platforms more vulnerable, or allowing the concentration of fire and energy on targets with other means, may change this paradigm. Future wars remain unpredictable, and more than choosing between light or heavy weapon systems, a key to capability development will be to ensure the adaptability, agility, digital interconnectivity, and cyber-resilience of tomorrow’s platforms.”
The three-day symposium focused on the status and development of technologies that could affect the vulnerability and redundancy of major weapon platforms, and the strategic, operational and conceptual implications. Keynote speakers included:
Dr Jack Watling (Royal United Services Institute) – Offensive Systems Threatening Major Platforms
Rear Admiral (retd) Mehmet Cem Okyay (HAVELSAN) – Defense Systems Protecting Major Platforms,
Col Jyri Kosola (Defence Command Finland) – Network Enabling Capabilities – C4I
Brigade General (retd) Recep Özdemir – The Case for Major Weapon Platforms.
Professor Dr Wolfgang Koch (University of Bonn and Fraunhofer Institute) – Network Enabling Capabilities – Sensors
Mr. Göran Kindvall (Swedish Defence Research Agency) – The Future Operating Environment
Dr Jack Watling (Royal United Services Institute) – The Case against Major Weapon Platforms – vulnerability
Dr Peter Hillmann (University of Bundeswehr) – The Case against Major Weapon Platforms – redundancy
Dr Will Slocombe (University of Liverpool) – Conceptual Approach to the New Battlefield
A summary of the event with findings and recommendations will be published in the coming weeks. For more information, please contact the SAS Panel Office (SAS@cso.nato.int).
Page_Intro:
The NATO Science and Technology Organization (STO) held a Research Specialists’ Meeting this month that examined whether new technologies have rendered major weapon platforms obsolete. The meeting, held on 08-10 May in Harstad, Norway, was established under the STO System Analysis and Studies (SAS) Panel and hosted in cooperation with the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI). The event (SAS-174) brought together 50 experts from a wide range of domains for discussions on a possible decline in major weapon platforms (aircraft, surface combatants, submarines and fighting vehicles), and the implications that such a decline would have on forces. As weapons become more sophisticated in their navigation, range, accuracy and lethality, weapon platforms need to incorporate increasingly advanced means of protection – including stealth, mobility, air defence, electronic warfare and active protective systems.
HomePageImage:
SAS-174-Leopard.jpg
HomePageBodyText:
The Leopard 2 A4NO is the Norwegian Army’s tank and main battle system
The NATO Science and Technology Organization (STO) held a Research Specialists’ Meeting this month that examined whether new technologies have rendered major weapon platforms obsolete. The meeting, held on 08-10 May in Harstad, Norway, was established under the STO System Analysis and Studies (SAS) Panel and hosted in cooperation with the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI).
The event (SAS-174) brought together 50 experts from a wide range of domains for discussions on a possible decline in major weapon platforms (aircraft, surface combatants, submarines and fighting vehicles), and the implications that such a decline would have on forces. As weapons become more sophisticated in their navigation, range, accuracy and lethality, weapon platforms need to incorporate increasingly advanced means of protection – including stealth, mobility, air defence, electronic warfare and active protective systems.
The symposium opened with remarks from Maj Gen (retd) Philippe Montocchio, Deputy Director of the STO Collaboration Support Office, and Gen (retd) Sverre Diesen of the FFI, who serves as the SAS-174 Programme Committee Chair.
Gen (rtd) Sverre Diesen, SAS-174 Programme Committee Chair
MGEN Montocchio, CSO Deputy Director, addressing the audience
“Throughout history, overwhelming firepower has been obtained by employing heavy platforms,” said Maj Gen Montocchio in his remarks. “New technologies, rendering heavy platforms more vulnerable, or allowing the concentration of fire and energy on targets with other means, may change this paradigm. Future wars remain unpredictable, and more than choosing between light or heavy weapon systems, a key to capability development will be to ensure the adaptability, agility, digital interconnectivity, and cyber-resilience of tomorrow’s platforms.”
The three-day symposium focused on the status and development of technologies that could affect the vulnerability and redundancy of major weapon platforms, and the strategic, operational and conceptual implications. Keynote speakers included:
Dr Jack Watling (Royal United Services Institute) – Offensive Systems Threatening Major Platforms
Rear Admiral (retd) Mehmet Cem Okyay (HAVELSAN) – Defense Systems Protecting Major Platforms,
Col Jyri Kosola (Defence Command Finland) – Network Enabling Capabilities – C4I
Brigade General (retd) Recep Özdemir – The Case for Major Weapon Platforms.
Professor Dr Wolfgang Koch (University of Bonn and Fraunhofer Institute) – Network Enabling Capabilities – Sensors
Mr. Göran Kindvall (Swedish Defence Research Agency) – The Future Operating Environment
Dr Jack Watling (Royal United Services Institute) – The Case against Major Weapon Platforms – vulnerability
Dr Peter Hillmann (University of Bundeswehr) – The Case against Major Weapon Platforms – redundancy
Dr Will Slocombe (University of Liverpool) – Conceptual Approach to the New Battlefield
A summary of the event with findings and recommendations will be published in the coming weeks. For more information, please contact the SAS Panel Office (SAS@cso.nato.int).
Created at 11/05/2023 14:31 by ad.rodes
Last modified at 15/05/2023 22:33 by ad.rodes
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