NORFOLK, VIRGINIA – The current iteration of the NATO Innovation Challenge continues to accept abstracts focusing on innovative digital solutions for mobility, transportation and interoperability throughout the Alliance. Allied Command Transformation and the Slovenian Armed Forces view the Challenge as an opportunity for academia and industry to provide unique and innovative perspectives that address challenges throughout the Alliance.
Accepting abstracts through October 5th, 2023, the goal of this fall’s NATO Innovation Challenge is to solve challenges to mobility and transportation within the Alliance ecosystem that can be applied to efficient planning practices throughout the Trans-European Transport Network. Some key focuses within the requirements of the challenge include interoperability with civilian systems, real-time tracking of transport-related data, road and rail infrastructure digitalization, threat resilience, tracking of carbon footprints and information sharing with diverse stakeholders.
Allied Command Transformation and the Slovenian Armed Forces plan on using the proposed transportation solutions to enable rapid force deployment. The subject of military mobility is on the top of the agenda for both entities, especially given events in Eastern Europe today. While the main transportation corridors are well known, a digital solution uniting separate existing transportation methods under one robust digital solution will further Alliance resiliency and improve common defence of Europe. Abstracts submitted for the challenge should also be applicable for civilian transport.
While discussing the value of the Challenge for the Alliance, the Slovenian Coordinator for the Innovation Challenge Lieutenant Colonel Ales Luznar stated:
“The Challenge is a perfect opportunity for the Slovenian Armed Forces to develop, in conjunction with NATO Allied Command Transformation, a partnership with innovative institutions that support military-related ideas and future concept development in the important field of efficient military transportation. The Challenge is only one example of the excellent collaboration between the Slovenian Armed Forces and Allied Command Transformation.”
The NATO Innovation Challenge was initiated in 2017 and features two sessions per year, seeking to provide brainstorming opportunities and a platform to address Alliance-wide challenges. The top winners of the Challenge will receive monetary awards as well as potential support in the development and implementation of relevant solutions. Opportunities to collaborate with NATO-wide stakeholders are important for Allied Command Transformation’s goal of exploring and improving capabilities in conjunction with NATO’s Military Instruments of Power to meet the future operational needs of the Alliance.
To submit an abstract, please click here.