This round table will explore capability transformation at the joint level – assessing the impact of joint enablers and MILTECH on future force structure. It will invite participants to generate ideas and consider which technologies will be delivered and adopted first. The interactive discussion will run under the premise that there are no budgetary constraints to allow for creativity and wider exploration of the art of the possible in military capability.

Ensuring seamless connectivity in congested and contested environments is integral to combat effectiveness. As dispersed operations stretch communications to the breaking point, armed forces require newer and more sophisticated solutions. It is now timely to integrate common operating environments and work to advance information maneuverability to support operations in increasingly information-dominated battlespaces.

Attendees will have the opportunity to examine different procurement models and approaches to infusing innovation into force structure. We will challenge the traditional bureaucratic procedures and assess the role of experimentation and prototyping in speeding up the delivery of capability. The round table will examine case studies and the feasibility of smaller R&D budgets to drive innovation and will address commercial technologies and their integration into the defence enterprise.

As the volume, variety, velocity, and veracity of data is rapidly evolving, militaries require big data analytics to accelerate complex decision-making. Developing algorithms for the extraction of actionable intelligence will be crucial to winning in hybrid warfare, and staying a step ahead of adversaries. Turning fused and synthesised information into intelligence has to be achieved. How will armed forces address the speed of acquisition of MILTECH, blockchain, and big data solutions?

With considerably more numerous methods of gathering useful data for decision makers to effectively utilize in the field, networks must ensure that the right information is collected at the right time. This panel shall discuss the levels of data gathering, from edge to system level intelligence, that can be maximized by the armed forces and how best to develop networks that can ensure its full optimization.

Led by: Dr David Benson, Professor of Strategy and Security Studies, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies (SAASS) (Subject to final confirmation) 

Ensuring mission success in operations of today and tomorrow will depend on the ability to process large volumes of data and enable timely, data-driven decisions. Cloud architecture has the potential to empower the modern Warfighter with the critical data by providing an easily accessible, secure, network-based storage. This round table will investigate cloud advantages, information security, network resiliency, and data transparency

Unmanned and autonomous platforms are the future. The question remains how to integrate unmanned assets with legacy platforms, ensure effective information integration, manoeuvre, while adhering to safety regulations and AI certification. This round table aims to explore the future of remotely-piloted and autonomous technologies and the challenges associated with fielding them. It will invite participants to discuss unmanned payloads, autonomous PNT, and the role of the human in the OODA loop.  

Autonomous and uncrewed systems are developing to be a major asset within the battlespace but how can the Armed Forces ensure that they integrate with existing legacy equipment and are effectively able to share information across the network. This panel shall delve into these questions and explore how best to tackle the challenges of information sharing across distributed platforms, whilst hearing participants views on how autonomous systems can be better integrated. 

Human-Machine Teaming could very much be the solution to logistical and depleting manpower questions. But how does this change the way the Armed Forces will operate in the future? This round table will set about exploring this topic, looking at how humans and machines tactically integrate, how do we divide tasks in the HMT and HMT interactions. 

Unmanned and autonomous capability in the maritime sector is promising – allowing for dispersed lethality and persistent presence in areas of maritime responsibility. As competitors are building capability, NATO navies and partners cannot afford to lag behind. Apart from the MUM-T concept, what disruptive technologies will be employed to retain the information advantage and reinforce naval presence?  

The land domain is an intrinsically more complex operating environment than the airspace, with austere terrains aggravating the fog of war. This round table will focus on optionally manned, unmanned, and autonomous UGVs and UASs and their role in future operations. Assessing current experimentation, it will delve into the challenges of information integration and the implementation of interoperable software for unmanned platforms.  

Implementing RPAs, integrating human-machine teaming, and enhancing stealth and lethality of platforms is desirable. This round table will explore capability development in air and space, focusing on the roadmap for development of 6th generation aircraft and the potential of the “loyal wingman” concept.