A Launchpad for Innovation: The 2015 CD&E Working Group

Explores into the Future

ACT PAO Published on 29 May 2015
Written By Robin Barnett, Editor, NATO ACT OPEX

From robotic systems to hybrid warfare,

the CD&E WG brought an interactive agenda with a variety of keynote speakers, hands-on experiment proposals,
innovative concepts, activities and exhibits to the more than 130 visitors in attendance.
The NATO Allied Command Transformation (ACT) 2015 Concept Development & Experimentation Working Group
(CD&E WG) took place in Virginia Beach, Virginia USA, 19-21 May.
This annual event hosted by the Operational Experimentation (OPEX) Branch enables NATO's transformation through
the structured development of creative and innovative ideas into viable solutions for capability development. "The 2015
NATO Transformation Seminar and the 2014 US Defense Innovation Initiative stress the importance of pursuing
innovative ways to sustain and advance military superiority," said US Navy Captain Mark Stoops, OPEX Branch Head
and Co-Chair. "Transformational activities are important force enablers to ensure we are capable of meeting the
demands of the future military environment. In light of technologies fast pace today, the need for ACT to explore is as
important as ever. This is where OPEX can make a difference. "
This year's event was attended by representation from twenty-two countries, thirteen Centres of Excellences, visitors
from NATO Headquarters, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), industry, academia, research &
development, international and non-governmental organisations. Keynote speakers included Mr. James Bergeron,
Chief Political Advisor, NATO Allied Command Maritime; Angela Messer, Executive Vice President, Booz Allen
Hamilton Strategic Innovation Group; and NATO ACT Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Phil Jones.
The Working Group discussion and activity was further enriched by addresses from Mr. Chris Stace, representing the
European Defence Agency (EDA) and Mr. David Burton, NATO Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation
(CMRE), reflecting the drive of the CD&E community to create the right conditions for innovation and collaboration to
succeed. In particular, the use of technology to support active transatlantic collaboration on the Norwegian proposed
Protection of Civilian Concept, including representatives from SHAPE J9, Norway, USA, and ACT was a prime example
of innovation at work.

In step with its innovative mission, the Working Group also unveiled and officially launched Phase I of the new CDE365
portal. As the newest member of the NATO TRANSNET community, CDE365 provides a globally accessible,
unclassified, collaborative environment for CD&E stakeholders. This forum provides access to past, present and future
NATO CD&E work 365 days a year

"The reality is that our community of CD&E experts, work daily to

develop future solutions for our respective organisations," said Mr. Don Morse, Joint Staff DJ-7 and Chief
Multinational/ACT Integration Division. "It makes sense that we have a virtual environment that is available 365 days a
year that enables the sharing of global CD&E information and facilitates solution based creative thinking. This initiative
has the potential to truly transform how we collaborate and do CD&E business on behalf of our nations and NATO."
To learn more about the 2015 CD&E Working Group, NATO CD&E or to foster the development of capabilities and
experimentation email us at natocde365@act.nato.int or visit us online CDE365.