AFCEA International Chapter News
PORTUGAL CHAPTER CHAPTER - Feb 18, 2015

Modelling and Simulation: Key to the Training of Armed Forces

In February a seminar, "Modeling and Simulation (M&S): A key to the challenges of the future of armed and security forces," organized by the chapter and the general directorate of Resources of National Defence (DGRDN), was held at the Joint Defense Institute (IESM), in Lisbon. The seminar was attended by 130 participants from institutional organizations, armed forces, security forces, enterprises and organizations of the scientific and technological system, which witnessed the interest of the subject and contributed to the success of the event. The seminar discussed the relevance of M&S for the armed and security forces, analyzing the developments in this field and the capacity to ensure the operability of the forces, in a joint or combined environment, in the face of present budgetary constraints. The opening session included: Rear Adm. João Valente dos Santos, PRT NA, deputy director of IESM; Maj. General Henrique Castanheira Macedo, deputy director general of DGRDN; and Chapter President Rear Adm. Mário do Carmo Durão, PRT NA (Ret.). In a keynote speech, Capt. Mario Simoes Marques, PRT NA, presented the concepts underlying M&S and described in a very clear way how M&S can be used along the life cycle to design and build the right systems, aligned with the functional requirements, to be used correctly and effectively. Speakers from NATO and the European Defence Agency (EDA) relayed how M&S is a critical technology to improve education and training of individuals and teams in real or virtual environments. However, the complexity of systems and the need to mitigate costs calls for collaboration and knowledge sharing as a way to gain scale and achieve better results. Thus, cooperation between implementers is considered not only as an opportunity but as a necessity for success on the ground. Companies that participated in the event shared their experiences and presented the projects and products that are developing within the field of simulation and computer-aided training. The potential dual use of these tools is also an opportunity to broaden the horizon of the use of M&S in disaster or emergency situations. It was also highlighted that the necessary alignment between industry, research and the university demands for partnership and networking, in order to take forward the projects that apply effectively to the military and security realities. Other highlighted topics during the semiar include: the relevance of M&S in terms of contribution to environmental protection within the military training; the possibility of verification/validation in a simulated environment; the relevance of emerging technologies for military use; the recognition of the cost/benefit in the use of M&S for better military preparedness; and the increasing importance of M&S in the training complex scenarios with new types of threats, including the terrorist threat.

Event Photographs:

Capt. Mario Simoes Marques, PRT NA, delivers the keynote speech at the February seminar,
Capt. Mario Simoes Marques, PRT NA, delivers the keynote speech at the February seminar, "Modeling and Simulation: A key to the challenges of the future of armed and security forces."
In February, the audience listens to a panel discussion during the seminar.
In February, the audience listens to a panel discussion during the seminar.
Representatives from NATO and the European Defence Agency speak during a technical session of the seminar in February.
Representatives from NATO and the European Defence Agency speak during a technical session of the seminar in February.

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