This week, NATO Allied Command Transformation kicked off its “INNOVATION CONTINUUM 2024” series in La Spezia, Italy, with the first event named “SPARK.” Hosted at the Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation, this event represents a significant step forward, focusing on outlining the 2024 innovation experimentation and demonstration goals. The discussions at SPARK centred on Multi-Domain Operations and Digital Transformation, resulting in agreed-upon hypotheses, proposals, and an initial list of operational scenarios and innovative solutions for further exploration.
The INNOVATION CONTINUUM 2024 is a strategic initiative by Allied Command Transformation to drive tangible outcomes through the experimentation and demonstration of cutting-edge Science and Technology solutions. This series of events presents a unique opportunity for NATO enterprise bodies and nations to collaborate with Allied Command Transformation, enhancing the value of Science and Technology products in Warfare Development through joint efforts.
Building on the success of 2023, where the Allied Command Transformation Innovation Branch validated Innovation projects in operational settings, the focus has shifted to developing and operationalizing Multi-Domain Operations and Digital Transformation concepts and capabilities. The 2024 events under the INNOVATION CONTINUUM 2024 aim to deliver concrete results through experimentation and demonstration of Innovation deliverables, further strengthening the collaborative efforts between NATO Enterprise Bodies, NATO Nations, and Allied Command Transformation to advance Warfare Development.
“We are delighted to host the Innovation Continuum 2024 Scoping Event, sponsored by Allied Command Transformation, here in La Spezia, Italy. This event represents a critical milestone in supporting NATO’s Warfare Development Agenda. It marks the beginning of a series of events aimed at discovering and testing approaches to making Multi-Domain Operations, Digital Transformation, and other strategic initiatives a reality. Through the exploration of Emerging and Disruptive Technologies, CMRE is also providing a tangible support towards NATO’s strategic objectives and a stronger Alliance Military Instrument of Power.” – Dr. Eric Pouliquen, Director of the Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation.
The Alliance is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment at the INNOVATION CONTINUUM events, bringing together military professionals, industry leaders, academia representatives, and subject matter experts in Emerging and Disruptive Technology. Information Technology experts will play a crucial role in addressing NATO’s complex interoperability challenges, injecting fresh perspectives and energy into the discussions.
Looking ahead, an INNOVATION CONTINUUM event is scheduled for each quarter of this year, with titles representing the development process of ideas from SPARK, to IGNITE, to GLOW, to the culminating SHINE event. Exact locations and dates for these events will be announced in due course, promising further progress in advancing NATO’s innovation and capability development agenda.
As NATO’s Strategic Warfare Development Command, Allied Command Transformation leads the collaboration among the NATO Alliance, Industry, Academia, and Member Nations. The INNOVATION CONTINUUM 2024 Events are strategically designed to promote Emerging and Disruptive Technologies, with a specific focus on Multi-Domain Operation and Digital Transformation.