Issue on Defence Technology Foresight

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Source:

Journal of Defence & Security Technologies, Volume 3, Issue 1, Number 1, p.1-6 (2020)

URL:

https://www.jdst.eu/publications/issue-defence-technology-foresight

Keywords:

Defence Capabilities, Defence Strategy, Disruptive Technologies, PYTHIA, Technology Foresight

Abstract:

Recent European Defence Agency (EDA) [1] and NATO Science and Technology Organization (STO) [2] technology foresight publications identified potentially disruptive technologies and discussed how the science and technology may affect the capabilities development of the EU and NATO. Both publications allow identifying many common assessments concerning forthcoming technology trends and their possible effect on future battlespace. First, these trends obviously will influence the ends, ways and means to achieve the desired end-state of the operations. Second, evermore, the new disruptive technologies will be developed outside the traditional R&D sector, which will pose new challenges to defence planners. Third, in the contest of an interconnected, complex and information-dependent global society, technological developments will have a vital effect on the defence concepts, strategies, doctrines, tactics and procedures at all levels. Fourth, the role of the robot and autonomous systems will increase and this will require a new vision of planning for future warfare, including preparation of service members to operate these systems. Fifth, in the context of the rapidly growing amount of data in the security sector, the key importance of knowledge management and the application of big data analytics for defence purposes will escalate and will intensely influence defence strategies development. Finally, yet importantly, the future battlespace will require development and employment of soldier systems, which means augmentation of individual human abilities using artificial intelligence, and enhanced human-machine teaming.