In NATO, much of concept development and experimentation (CD&E) activity begins with the identification of a concept that will contribute to capability development. Since a concept represents the first step to developing a capability, the starting point for the concept's development will often result from emerging technologies impacting on traditional methods of carrying out military operations.
As acknowledged by Rear Admiral John Tammen in his welcome address to the International Concept Development & Experimentation (ICD&E) Conference, organised by NATO Allied Command Transformation (ACT), “the Science and Technology Organization had already done a significant amount of study into EDTs”, and thus, as the world's largest collaborative research forum in the field of defence and security, the STO can help inform concept developers on scientific research and technology innovations to help NATO develop concepts and capabilities to face current and future security challenges.
Besides its virtual booth, the STO contributed to the ICD&E Conference with experts from the System Analysis and Studies (SAS) Panel, who ran a virtual wargame based on Intermediate Force Capability, and Exercise MADness, a CD&E exercise for countering civil unrest with emerging non-munitions technologies. Finally, the CMRE Deputy Director, Dr. Giovanni Sembenini, addressed the conference's main stage to reflect upon “Experimenting at the Frontier: S&T Challenges at CMRE in support of Naval Operations”.
For further insight on the STO's work on CD&E, check out this video on Non-lethal Weapons and Intermediate Force Capabilities (IFC), which has helped to support the NATO Protection of Civilians Concept and is currently helping support NATO and National NLW/IFC concepts.
https://www.sto.nato.int/Lists/STONewsArchive/displaynewsitem.aspx?ID=578
