MSG-175 16th Workshop on Commercial Technologies and Games for Use in NATO and Nations

NATO Modelling and Simulation Group

MSG-175 16th Workshop on Commercial Technologies and Games for Use in NATO and Nations

26th September 2019, at Ecole Militaire, Paris, France

Introduction

The commercial sector is developing several key technologies and applications that have the potential for cost-effective adaptation and use in modelling and simulation (M&S) applications for defence planning, training, operations and capabilities development. The exploitation of commercial technologies and appropriate use of open standards can provide efficiencies and increased benefits for defence applications. The NATO M&S community needs to identify those technologies having the greatest near term potential and understand the trends and developments in those technologies that have potential to meet current and future defence requirements.

Through demonstration, experimentation, discussion and debate, workshop attendees will acquire knowledge and experience in the possible topic areas. Technical and application briefings and demonstrations on selected commercial technology areas will help the attendees better understand the issues so that they may aid in the development of the strategy for NATO and the Nations to exploit these technologies. It is expected that all participants will develop a shared understanding of the issues and opportunities. Meeting proceedings will be produced including recommendations for NATO and the Nations. The workshop is open to participants from NATO and non-NATO nations.

Aim

As with previous NMSG workshops on this topic, this workshop is intended to share national experiences, explore commercial and games technologies, understand best practices, and to identify barriers to further exploitation and ways these might be overcome. This workshop will also contribute to articulate a technology road map for possible future NMSG task group activities on commercial technologies and games.

Topics

The workshop will focus on:

  • Artificial Intelligence (e.g. IBM Watson, Google assistant) in simulation applications
  • Augmented and Mixed Reality developments (e.g. Microsoft Hololens)
  • Cyber Awareness games and Cyber Effect simulations
  • Game Architectures (e.g. VBS Gears, STE, SpatialOS) and Game Engines (e.g. Unreal Engine and Unity)

Aspects to be discussed include:

  • The background and affordability of simulations and digital games;
  • Specific challenges with using these tools for education and training (e.g. interoperability standards), as well as strategies for overcoming these challenges in order to achieve successful learning experiences;
  • The practical impact of these technologies in preparing warfighters;
  • The practical impact of these technologies in educating support trades such as medical, supply, transportation, and police; and
  • The future of these technologies and their impact and learning and teaching.

Preliminary Structure of the Workshop

09.00h – 16.00h;

Session 1: Kick-off with a keynote on AI for Decision Support applications

Session 2: Modular Game Architectures and Game Engines

Lunch

Session 3: VR and AR Utilisation in Military Operations (training and planning)

Session 4: Cyber Awareness and Cyber Effect simulations

Wrap-up

Call for Presentations

Authors are invited to submit short abstracts for this workshop on the topics listed above or on national initiatives or activities. Abstracts and presentations can be accepted in English only. The Workshop Committee will select presenters, based on submitted abstracts that are considered suitable for presentation. It is expected that up to 8 presentations will be selected for the Workshop.

The time allowed for each speaker is normally 20 minutes, plus 10 minutes for discussion. Equipment will be available for Power Point presentations.

Title and Abstract should be sent to the Workshop Committee (see email addresses below). It is the responsibility of the author to ensure that his/her abstract and presentation receives any necessary clearance before it is forwarded, and sufficient time should be allowed for this.

The submitted presentations will be published on the NATO STO Science Connect website.

The venue will have opportunities to demonstrate systems or applications during the breaks. Tables and other facilities may be arranged with the local hosts. Please contact the Workshop Committee to discuss details.

Call for Participation

The Workshop is open to participants from government, industry and academia working in the field of modelling and simulation. The event is open to all NATO and Partner Nations plus invited Contact Countries.

Registration

To participate in the workshop, please visit https://events.sto.nato.int/ and look for registration details for MSG-175.

The Workshop is embedded in the NATO CAX Forum 2019 organized by the NATO Modelling and Simulation Centre of Excellence (NATO M&S COE). Note that the CAX Forum is now called NATO CA2X2 (Computer Aided Analysis, Exercise, Experimentation) Conference and requires registration to this event (https://www.mscoe.org/event/nato-ca2x2-forum-2019/ ) as well!

Please enrol early to avoid disappointment.

Cost

The event is co-located with the CA2X2 2019 which has a mandatory fee/person for participation.

There is no additional cost to attend the MSG-175 Workshop.

Location

The meeting room at the Ecole Militaire venue in Paris will be announced on site.

Schedule

Abstracts are due by: 2 August 2019

Author notification by: 16 August 2019

Submit Presentation: 6 September 2019

MSG-175 Workshop 26th September 2019

Information

Any questions on the technical aspects of the programme or the contents of presentations should be addressed to the Workshop Committee:

Mr Wim HUISKAMP
TNO Defence, Security and Safety
P.O. Box 96867
2509 JG The Hague
The Netherlands
wim.huiskamp@tno.nl

Mr Niels KRARUP-HANSEN
Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization (DALO)
Lautrupbjerg 1-5
DK-2750 Ballerup
Denmark
nkh@mil.dk

LTC Wolfhard Schmidt
Branch Head Capability and Concept Development
Plans & Development Division
NATO Joint Force Training Centre
Bydgoszcz, Poland
wolfhard.schmidt@jftc.nato.int

Information on the CA2X2 may be found at: https://www.mscoe.org/event/nato-ca2x2-forum-2019/

Questions on the administrative aspects of this Workshop or requests for further information on STO activities should be raised through the CSO Website: www.cso.nato.int

NATO Modelling and Simulation Coordination Office

Illeana Ganz
Assistant, Modelling & Simulation Coordination Office
Collaborative Support Office
BP25
F-92201 Neuilly-sur-Seine, France
Tel: +33 1 55 61 22 94
E-mail: illeana.ganz@cso.nato.int