Delivering effective communication and information capabilities to the war fighter is an incredibly complex endeavour.  NATO faces a legacy of capabilities dating back, in some instances, decades.  Member nations likewise have disparate and wide-ranging capabilities and differing levels of ambition. It is in this environment, that NATO seeks to build a modern, agile and robust communications and information sharing capability for an uncertain tomorrow, whilst maintaining capabilities in theatre today and all at a time when fiscal pressures are extreme.

NC3A Chief Technology Officer mission

The mission of the CTO is to step back from the turmoil of individual project delivery, and to adopt a more strategic ‘system of systems’ view of the portfolio, focusing on cross-project and cross-programme issues in order to improve interoperability, the effectiveness of the overall capability delivered to the war fighter and on deliver greater efficiency by removing waste and duplication.

Leadership and Direction

It is necessary to define the vision for future C3 capabilities which is aligned to operational concepts,  along with a clear strategy for delivery.  The transition from a defence to a security posture as identified in the New Strategic  Concept for NATO, has wide ranging implications for C3 delivery.  An architectural view of the enterprise is essential to understand the relationships and interfaces between individual capabilities and guidance on technical policy and standards is required to ensure interoperability.   Taking a still wider view of interoperability problem, the CTO must engage with its equivalents in national Ministries of Defence and industry bodies to facilitate the strategic alignment of NATO and national C3 delivery programmes, ensuring effective and interoperable coalition capabilities in theatre and facilitating wise and prudent investment across NATO and the Nations.