20+ Working groups and expert teams confirmed

Future Forces Forum closely cooperates with relevant expert working groups from NATO, EDA and other international organisations. The members are actively involved in the expert programme, exhibition and other events which gives our exhibitors and partners an exceptional opportunity to personally discuss lessons learned and particular requirements for future military/security applications. Company presentations during official meetings are also available. Please contact us for more information about your prospective presentation.

SOLDIER SYSTEMS EXPERT GROUP

Over 250 international experts, members of national acquisition systems and standardization offices from more than 28 NATO Allies and partner nations in the area of Dismounted Soldier Systems (DSS).

DSS experts cover:

• Combat Clothing, Individual Equipment & Protection – All issues related to the combat clothing, individual equipment and protective equipment of dismounted soldier systems. The main scope is a key component of Integrated Personal Protection.
• Small Arms Ammunition Interchangeability – All technical aspects of Small and Cannon Calibre Ammunition (up to and including 40 mm and the ancillary items such as links, clips, magazines, bandoliers, boxes, etc.).
• Non Lethal Capabilities (NLC) – NLC across the full spectrum of military operations and operating environments.
• Soldier Capabilities Analysis – Assessing the operational needs of coalition tactical dismounted forces.
• C4I & System Architecture (SA) – Identifying and maintaining interoperability between soldier systems and between soldier systems and tactical vehicles. Interfaces include plugs, connectors and electrical and data exchange protocols, digitization and the ability to transfer battlefield information between soldiers during dismounted operations of nations.
• Weapons & Sensors (W&S) – Issues related to soldier's weapon systems, grenades and shoulder launched and guided anti-tank weapons, as well as dedicated sensors including day and night sights, laser designators, tactical lights and fire control systems. Weapon system includes the weapon itself, different types of ammunition and the dedicated accessories, the interface of weapons and sensors with the various other parts of the soldier system and relevant Combat ID related Standards.
• Power & Connectors – Identification of soldier system power connectivity requirements, development of power and data electrical connectivity standards and common format power sources. Their emphasis is on providing power to the dismounted soldier and soldier systems within a coalition operation.
• There are also various Ad Hoc groups or Teams of Experts and/or Quick Reaction Teams as necessary to accomplish its mission in areas such as:
  • Head-Borne Systems
  • Integrated Personal Protection
  • Dismounted Battlefield Combat ID and Markings
  • Embarked Personnel ToE
  • ToE Non Lethal Millimeter Wave

NATO CBRN MED WG

NATO CBRN Medical Working Group was established under the Committee of the Chiefs of Military Medical Services in NATO (COMEDS) as a group responsible for standardization of all NATO activities dealing with the health protection against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
The internationally recognized experts in the medical area of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear issues from more than 15 NATO and non-NATO nations are actively working in this WG.

The main topics discussed:

• Creation and development of standardization documents for all activities and procedures dealing with health protection against CBRN warfare agents for NATO operations
• Identification of gaps dealing with the health protection and medical countermeasures against CBRN warfare agents
• Identification of the trends in the development of CBRN medical countermeasures (means and procedures)

NATO MEDICAL MATERIEL AND MILITARY PHARMACY (MMMP) PANEL 

MMMP Panel is established by the Committee of the Chiefs of Military Medical Services in NATO (COMEDS) to initiate and develop common principles, policies, doctrines, concepts, procedures, programmes and techniques for specialist advice to COMEDS and related to medical materiel, medical logistics and pharmacology in member nation’s armed forces.

The main tasks:

• Provide specialist advice to COMEDS as directed by the COMEDS Steering Group (CSG) including developing STANAGs (NATO Standardization Agreements), STANRECs (NATO Standardization Recommendations), SRDs (Standards-related Documents) and specialist documents related to medical materiel, medical logistics and pharmacology.
• Identify and scope common principles, policies and procedures for pharmaceutical and medical materiel activities in the operational environment.
• Make recommendations for co-operation, co-ordination, standardisation and interoperability of the use of medical materiel, pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical activities in member/partner nations and in multinational forces.
• Foster and improve the exchange of information at all levels, research and development relating to medical materiel, pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical activities in order to ensure that advances within these fields are available for the benefit of all.

NATO MEDICAL COMMUNICATION INFORMATION SYSTEM (MedCIS)

The mission of the MedCIS expert panel is to initiate and develop common principles, policies, doctrines, concepts, procedures, techniques, programmes and initiatives relevant to the use of medical communication and information systems within the NATO environment.

Main effort is focused on the NATO Standardization and implementation guides that provide oversight to medical information systems and includes Telemedicine/Teleconsultation activities to promote the interoperability of NATO forces.

INTERSERVICE AMMUNITION WORKING GROUP (I-AMMO WG)

The I-AMMO WG is established by the Military Committee Land Standardization Board (MCLSB) to initiate and develop standardization in order to enhance interoperability of NATO forces. To improve NATO interoperability, the I-AMMO WG advises the MCLSB and through the MCLSB the Military Committee on ammunition topics and issues. The WG reviews and recommends ammunition management concepts, and develops doctrine and tactics covering all of these areas from the tactical to the strategic levels, which are essential for current and future NATO operations.

The I-AMMO WG is responsible for the standardization of ammunition management data to further (enhance) the continued safe identification, storage, transportation, maintenance, testing, handling and use, including interchangeability of ammunition.

The I-AMMO WG is currently chaired by a representative of the U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (RDECOM ARDEC) and has 30 members.

NATO SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ORGANIZATION (STO)

Acts as NATO’s principal organization for science and technology research.

Defence Science and Technology (S&T), in the context of NATO, is defined as the selective and rigorous generation and application of state-of-the-art, validated knowledge for Defence and Security purposes. The term is broadly inclusive of the physical, engineering, information, human, medical and social sciences. 

NATO S&T is comprised of activities that contribute to the generation and exploitation of scientific knowledge and technological innovation, addressing the short-, medium- and long-term horizon. NATO S&T includes programmes and activities that Nations, NATO bodies and Partners elect to perform within the trusted NATO framework. NATO S&T serves the Security and Defence posture of the Nations and NATO, and supports the core tasks of the Alliance as set out in the Strategic Concept. The vast majority of NATO S&T work is funded directly by the Nations.

CAMOUFLAGE, CONCEALMENT, DECEPTION & DENIAL, OBSCURANT

Experts in area of camouflage will take part in the Future Soldier Systems Conference.

CCDO experts cover:

• Advanced methods for camouflage operational efficiency evaluation using simulation tools and modelling.
• Adaptive camouflage system
• Camouflage evaluation in operational context
• Hyperspectral sensing for material spectral properties assessment
• Camouflage parameters verification within procurement process
• Smart textiles
• Stealth technologies
• Technical interoperability and Coalition Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance systems
• Simulation and modelling for advanced CC&D measures testing

Participating groups and expert teams:

• SCI-287 TG on Assessment Methods for Camouflage in Operational Context
• SCI-295 "Development of Methods for Measurements and Evaluation of Natural Background EO Signatures"
• SCI ET-22