FUTURE INTEROPERABLE CAPABILITIES USING QUANTUM TECHNOLOGY (QT)

Workshop draft agenda

Date: Thursday, 24 June, 14.00 hrs until 17.30 hrs (CET)

1. Welcome and introductory remarks

2. The concept of spectrum of capabilities incorporating Quantum Technology

3. The anticipated future capabilities using, and countering the use of, QT for:

a. Positioning, Navigation, Timing (PNT)

b. Sensing

c. Computing

d. Encryption

e. Communications

f. Others

4. Interoperability challenges and opportunities

5. Multinational cooperation on QT R&D and applications’ development - challenges and opportunities

6. Panel discussion

7. Concluding remarks

CONFERENCE OF NATIONAL ARMAMENTS DIRECTORS CALLING NOTICE FOR A WORKSHOP ON

‘FUTURE INTEROPERABLE CAPABILITIES USING QUANTUM TECHNOLOGY’

 

Note by the Permanent Chair

References:

A. AC/259-D(2021)0013-REV1 - CNAD implementation plan for EDT

B. AC/259-D(2021)0017 – CNAD Main Armaments Groups implementation matrix for EDTs

C. AC/259-D(2021)0001 – NIAG Final report of the Study Group 252 on EDT, in the context of emerging powers

 

1. The CNAD developed and approved its implementation plan for emerging and disruptive technologies (ref. A) which is part of the wider NATO effort to maintain its technological superiority over potential adversaries.

2. The Main Armaments Groups (MAGs)1 have been invited to report on the relevance of the EDTs to their respective programmes of work (PoWs) (Ref. B). The MAGs confirmed that their PoWs already include EDTs to various extent, and their answers were reflected in the appendix 2, annex 1 of Ref. A. The MAG chairpersons’ interventions during the Main Group Forum and subsequently during the CNAD Plenary confirmed that the MAGs are anticipating the use of EDTs, either individually or in clusters, in the future Alliance’s capabilities.

3. The NATO Industrial Advisory Group (NIAG) delivered a comprehensive report on EDT, in the context of emerging powers (Ref. C). The report provides an invaluable source of information regarding the level of technological development, and includes additionally a series of recommendations for NATO, Allies and industry on technology, capabilities, interoperability and policy development.

 

1 NATO Naval Armaments Group (AC/141 – NNAG); NATO Air Force Armaments Group (AC/224 – NAFAG); NATO Army Armaments Group (AC/225 – NAAG)

 NHQD221

4. Building upon the existing expertise and materials, the CNAD is organising an initial workshop on 24 June 2021, to address the folowing action item: ‘Quantum Technology in the context of military capabilities and challenges’

5. The Main Armaments Groups, nations, industry, are invited to identify experts to contribute to the agenda items as presented at Annex 1; the contributions should be in the form of presentations and/or papers, and shall be related to the use of Quantum Technology in future military capabilities. These capabilities include primarily armaments, weapon systems, unmanned systems, without being limited to these.

6. The nominated experts shall be communicated by 10 June 2021, together with a short bio, and a detailed abstract of the presentation/paper (the submission of the full presentation and/or paper would be appreciated) to the action officer from the International Staff, Defence Investment Division (tel. +32 2707 7914 or [email protected]), with the following information:

- Name of the expert (first name, family name, rank, salutation, position)

- Organisation/Company

- Email address

- Phone number

- Agenda item for which they are nominated

7. The workshop on 24 June 2021 will take place virtually; connection details (platform, registration, administrative procedures, etc.) will be communicated when closer to the execution date.

8. The workshop will be held at unclassified level. All presentations/papers should therefore be unclassified, moreover not include proprietary information or other details that cannot be shared publicly.

9. Presentations/papers deemed requiring higher classification can still be submitted to the International Staff; while these will not be included in this workshop, they could be subject of further discussions and analyses.

10. Written materials will be evaluated by the CNAD Task Group on Innovation/EDT and taken forward in the CNAD reports and developments, as appropriate.