Experts, Scientists and M&S Enthusiasts at the 16th annual NATO CA2X2 Forum – Modelling & Simulation COE in ROME
Rome, Italy: From 4-5 October 2021 the NATO Modelling & Simulation Centre of Excellence digitally hosted the annual NATO CA2X2 Forum (Computer Assisted Analysis, eXercise, and eXperimentation). The 16th NATO CA2X2 Forum represents an event for military, industry and academia experts to meet and discuss M&S topics such as exercises, experimentation, Wargaming, standardization and interoperability; during the event were additional presentations and demonstrations on the latest technologies and trends in M&S. The event, conducted in a fully virtual environment, was entirely set up within the facilities of “Adriano De Cicco” barracks in the Cecchignola military complex.
The theme of the Forum was “Shaping NATO’s Future Modelling & Simulation Capabilities”.
The Forum focused on these topics: Wargaming, M&S for Artificial Intelligence, M&S for Cyber, Computer Assisted eXercises, Simulation Centres and Innovation.
The Forum was supported by 700 digital visitors, 39 nations, 21 virtual booth, 51 workshop sessions and 9 sponsors. In particular Epic Games – Unreal Engine as main sponsor give a big impulse in “Innovation transition from the labs to the field”.
The participants were welcomed by senior leaders across NATO to include Lieutenant General (GBR-A) Sir Edward Smyth-Osbourne, Commander of NATO’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, Major General (ESP-AF) Guillermo Cavo, the NATO ACT Deputy Chief of Staff Joint Force Development, Major General (ITA-AF) Enrico Degni, Commander of the 6th Department of Defence Staff, Major General (CZE-A) Ivo Strecha, the Director of the Force Development Division, Dr. Tom Irwin (USA JSJ7), the Executive Director, Joint Warfighting Development, and Major General (DEU-AF) Wolfgang Gabelein, Bundeswehr Office for Defence Planning. Additionally the astronaut Roberto Vittori, Italian representantative the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Space Attaché and Brigadier General (LTA-A) Ilmars Lejins, the NATO ACT Assistant Chief of Staff, Joint Force Development.
Lieutenant Colonel Brad Koerner (USA-A), the NATO M&S COE Deputy Director, opened the 2021 CA2X2 Forum stating:, “This is the second straight year we meet virtually, but this has not diminished the value of the contributions made to M&S. As a NATO accredited COE our focus is supporting NATO and its Nations through the exploitation of M&S and providing support, expertise, tools, training and education. We strive to bring different organizations together to discuss and work on M&S solutions. We believe the CAX Forum plays a huge role in this”.
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The NATO M&S COE is dedicated to the promotion of M&S in support of operational requirements, training and interoperability. The Centre act as a catalyst for transformation through the involvement of NATO, governments, academia, industry, operational and training entities, by improving the networking of NATO and nationally owned M&S systems, the cooperation between Nations and organizations through the sharing of M&S information and developments and serving as an international source of expertise for transformation in the related domain.
NATO