NATO STO NATO STO research TG.

The NATO SET-238 “Side-Attack Threat Detection Strategies, Technologies and Techniques” Research Task Group (RTG) has held its 5th meeting on 23-24 May in the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) facilities sited in Sevenoaks-Kent, London (UK). NATO SET-238 RTG objectives are to broadly identify current capability gaps in detection technologies and identify promising technologies that address detection of side-attack weapons in the context of route clearance operations. During meeting, the Research Task Group has discussed threat definition and common reference targets’ (8 different EFPs surrogates), scenarios and concealment has been agreed. Nations (GER, NLD, SWE, CAN, GBR, USA, AUS –not attended-) presented the results obtained through tests that apply specific detection technologies against Side-Attack Threat using standardized configuration. C-IED COE presented the recently completed Research project on EFPs using HME displaying its aims, phases, main milestones and final results and also made an update on EFPs threat around the world. Promising technologies on assessment are Laser Radar Scanner, 3D cameras, Polari-metric MWIR cameras, LIDAR -light detection and ranging- radar, Non-Linear Junction Detection, RF signatures, High Bandwidth Acoustic Detection and Imaging System and others. Nations are carrying out tests using same configurations (EFPs targets with same scenarios in order to understand how cutting-edge detection technologies work and performance on detection in Side-Attack Threats. In some cases, tests are part of certain national or multinational programs However, much more work is needed and more tests must be done to obtain an acceptable collection of IED data. The climate and light conditions, the hiding place, the characteristics of EFP, the location, the distances of detection of distance, the angle of shot and the capacity to obtain high resolution and discrimination are fundamental factors to increase the effectiveness in the detection. In this sense an extension of RTG activities until April 2020 has been approved by the NATO SET Panel. Finally, a homogenous and standardized data collection will be populated by nations and present promising technologies, scenarios, EFP targets and performances in detecting side-attack threats. Moreover, IED data collection will help future equipment developments or will help to focus deeper research in some technologies. .

 

 

Nato parliamentaryNATO Parliamentary Assembly, visit to the C-IED CoE.

Last 26 and 27 September, 2018, a delegation of the Defense and Security Committee of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly made an official visit to Spain with the dual purpose: participate in the "Global SOF Symposium-Europe", held in Madrid and visiting various agencies and military units of interest, amongst which the Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) in Torrejón de Ardoz and the C-IED CoE. On Thursday, 27 September 2018, the delegation of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly visited the Counter - Improvised Explosive Devices Centre of Excellence (C-IED COE), located in Hoyo de Manzanares (Madrid). The NATO Parliamentary Assembly is the organization that brings together parliamentarians from NATO member countries and other partner Nations. Headquartered in Brussels (Belgium), its “ raison d ' être” is – although institutionally seperated from NATO- to serve as an essential link between NATO and the parliaments of the NATO nations. It provides greater transparency of NATO policies, and fosters better understanding of the Alliance’s objectives and missions among legislators and citizins of the alliance. During his visit to the C-IED CoE, the Delegation received a briefing about the Center, its objectives and activities. In this presentation, the Director of the C-IED COE stressed two fundamental aspects: 1. The fight against the improvised explosive devices has gone from being a succession of specific events, to an inherent and inseparable part of any future operations scenario. 2. C-IED fight is carried out at all levels of society, including the political level. The Director addressed his audience: “You are able to configure the future strategic fighting scenario where NATO will operate in relationship to C-IED with your vision and your support”.

 

 

Greek police VisitGreek Police visit

After an official invitation by the Director of Hellenic Police Crime Investigation Laboratories the Director of C-IED CoE accompanied by two members of the center visited on 13th of June their premises. Representatives from different Hellenic Police Divisions related to C-IED effort attended and during the meeting they had the opportunity to be informed for the actions and events lead by the C-IED CoE or participating with its expertise. The visit has been an opportunity to foster interagency cooperation with other sponsor nation of the COE

 

 

CIED Awareness Seminar C-IED Awareness Seminar Greece

C-IED CoE supporting NATO nations participated to the C-IED Awareness Seminar due to request for support from Hellenic Army Directorate of Engineers. C-IED CoE Director accompanied by two members of the CoE visited Greece between 17th to 19th of September. During the seminar provided lectures to Hellenic Army General Staff in Athens, to staff officers from different branches/functions working on the operational level, NRDC-GR, Corps, Divisions, staff members located in North of Greece and to War Academy and Staff Officers School in Thessaloniki. Also Ministry of Interior’s representatives participated from Police, Coast Guard and Fire Department. The visit has been an opportunity for high visibility of the C-IED CoE, foster interagency cooperation, and finally a great occasion to present NATO approach on C-IED effort.

 

 

Northern challenge 18Northern Challenge 18

The exercise NORTHERN CHALLENGE is a Multi-National Bomb Disposal Exercise which was conducted between 16th of September to the 27th of September. The purpose of Northern Challenge is to train response to real-life terrorist incidents involving improvised and military explosive devices, similar to those that have occurred in recent NATO missions and of those to be expected in future missions. IEDs in a maritime environment have proven to be a serious threat in various mission areas. The exercise area offers the opportunity to exercise maritime IEDD as a supplement to land based IEDD. 14 nations, the C-IED COE and EOD COE attended the exercise, with a total of 250 participants, 24 EOD teams, 2 search teams and 4 WIT operators. The teams had to deal with 590 devices, from which 315 land and 100 maritime. The aim of the exercise is to provide a unique possibility of pre-training mainly for IED teams serving, or being deployed, for international missions. C-IED COE has supported this exercise with subject matter expertise in various areas of the Counter IED domain.