Pre-Conference Workshops: Monday, 18 October 2010
08.30
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11.30 Workshop A: Extending Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) to Allocate Battlefield Resources in Tactical Manoeuvres(inclusive of 30 minutes break)
Rationale:
Current battlefield requirements, especially in Joint Operations, increasingly ask for services involving service oriented platforms. While combat settings move from platform-centric platforms to Network Centric Warfare (NCW) and towards Knowledge-Centric Warfare (KCW), compatible tools for future C4I2SR (control, command, computers, communication, intelligence, information, surveillance and reconnaissance) become indispensable. Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) is one interesting platform technology for providing tools for integrating the services (army, navy, air force) and branches (infantry, engineers, artillery) to ensure combat success. However, the assumption of independent services in SOA is not suitable if real-time battlefield resources are offered as services. SOA lacks an element for scheduling shared services for the military consumer.
Key Discussion Points:
- Overview of the request-based resource distribution tool labelled as Resource Manager (RM)
- Looking at Finnish Defence Forces SOA solution
- Understanding a company attack is a BP involving SOA services, such as Fire
- Support, Evacuation, Location Services, Resupply and Situational Awareness (SA)
Your workshop leader:
Major Tapio Saarelainen
Researcher
FINNISH DEFENCE FORCES, FINLAND
Major Saarelainen is currently working at Finland’s National Defence University’s Department of Military Technology as a researcher and lecturer, and has been closely involved with the Finnish Future Warrior development program since 2004. As a post graduate student in the National Defence University since 2006, he has written extensively on the topic “Data and Sensor Fusion in Future Dismounted Warrior Concept”.
12.30
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15.30 Workshop B: Optimising the Role of Organisational Communication in a Networked System(inclusive of 30 minutes break)
Rationale:
One of the chief issues within military organisations is the role that human communication plays in a networked defence structure. The substantial focus on the technical aspects of Network Centric Operations (NCO) often obscures the fact that desired outcomes are achieved when human and technological communication work together as one structure. Human communication is a resource, and like any other organisational resource, its capabilities need to be optimised so that desired outcomes will be achieved in a timely and efficient manner. An efficient networked system, therefore, lies in finding the optimum balance between technical and human factors. Finding such a balance requires an understanding of the numerous and, often unrecognised, roles of human communication in achieving desired outcomes. This workshop is designed to help provide such an understanding.
Key Discussion Points:
- How important is the human element in a networked operational space?
- How are issues of hierarchy overcome and communication within military units enhanced?
- How can the latest research on optimising military communications assist military leaders in the Asia region?
- Discussing some of the typical challenges within militaries in intra personal communications
Your workshop leader:
Dr. Celina Pascoe
Consulting Human-Organisational Analyst
UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA
Celina Pascoe has consulted for the Australian Department of Defence’s Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) since 1999 on issues relating to human communication in military organisations. She has published, both locally and internationally on human communication in military command and control, on the impact of organisational communication climate on knowledge and information sharing capabilities in network-centric warfare and in large government organisations, and on social learning within workplace communities of the Australian Defence Organisation. She was the winner of the best paper award at the 2006 International Command and Control Research and Technology Symposium (ICCRTS) for her work on “Network Centric Warfare and the New Command and Control: An Australian Perspective”.
16.00
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19.00 Workshop C: How to Improve Interoperability in Networked Environments(inclusive of 30 minutes break)
Rationale:
Military forces are moving from platformcentric to network-centric organisations. The aim is to enhance agility, flexibility and interoperability for better, faster and safer communications. On one hand, this involves better technology, but on the other hand, it also includes the human and organisational component. With the increasing importance of joint operations and the doctrine of a Common Operating Picture (COP), the main challenge for militaries is the issue of interoperability and how to solve to solve the problems of data replication, data duplication and optimise time and information management.
Key Discussion Points:
- International perspectives on network enabled capabilities
- How to ensure data security within networks
- How Software Defined Radio can help interoperability
- Integrating sensor networks for improved surveillance and reconnaissance
- Increasing force capability through collaboration
Your workshop leader:
Chris de Combe
Network Enabled Capabilities Manager
CENTER OF EXCELLENCE & DEVELOPMENT, UAE
Working closely with the defence forces of the United Arab Emirates, Chris provides guidance on how to achieve this capability within the armed forces. Focussing primarily on wireless systems interoperability, Chris is actively engaged in the migration of existing silo (stove pipe) systems to an integrated network of systems, with the ultimate goal of full network centricity. With a proven track record as a distinguished Systems Engineering and technical management professional, Chris was the lead system architect for Ultra Electronics (Formerly Canadian Marconi) Tactical Communication Systems with responsibility for product and area system direction.