In order to deliver new solutions at a fast pace, the Innovation Hub needs the capability to test them and de-risk them very quickly. The response to this requirement is DTEX.
DTEX (Disruptive Technology Experiment) is a distributed simulated environment allowing new concepts and technologies to be tested within NATO operation scenarios. Its main advantages are to be very flexible, quick to deploy, and open to large and diverse audiences.
PRINCIPLES
FAST
DTEX achieves in days what other experiments require weeks or months to achieve. In a DTEX, participants' contribution is required for maximum two days. When necessary, participants can provide all their insights in just one hour. The whole development of a new DTEX takes one one month.
USER CENTRIC
The key element of a DTEX are the human participants who provide the most important deliverables: insights on opportunity and challenges. Therefore DTEX is an environment that optimizes the participant's contribution and collaboration. It specially focuses on the military operational users, whose availability is very limited. They can complete a DTEX in just one hour, from wherever they are.
INNOVATIVE
DTEX always address new solutions/concepts/technologies introduced into the operation scenario during the design phase. It also always involve out-of-the-box participants who are not familiar with the operation and the solutions. This enables reframing the mindset of the experts and users, and guarantees surprises.
REALISTIC
DTEX bring the new solutions, even if futuristic, into a realistic scenario based on one current potential NATO operation. NATO experts are involved in the DTEX design, and its execution.
COMPONENTS
HUMANS
Analyze & Decide
The participants in a DTEX are the main element in the mix. They are generating the insights that allow the identification of challenges and opportunities arising from a new solution.
Through a precisely scripted individual and collaborative process, the participants, using the new solutions within the operational scenario, provide insights on their usability and risks. They also contribute solutions to challenges and ideas for additional solution development.
The participants represent four categories: Military Subject Matter Expert, External Subject Matter Expert, Military Users, and out-of-the-box participants whose different backgrounds ensure innovative approaches.
SIMULATION
Calculation and Visualization
A simulation supports the participants injecting their inputs/decision into the operation scenario, making the required calculations (effect of the decisions), and presenting visual representations of the operational situation. The type of simulation varies depending on the subject matter. It can be conducted, or supported by computers, or be table top.
DISTRIBUTED PLATFORM
Collect and Share Data - Enable Distributed Collaboration
All the interactions between participants, and with the simulation engine, happen through the Distributed Platform. The platform collect all the generated information, from participants and simulation, and support the analysis.
The Platform is distributed online; which allows the organizers to bring anyone they need into the experiment.
APPLICATIONS
EXPERIMENTATION
New operational concepts, new capabilities, emerging technologies, or new strategies, DTEX experiments, assesses, and de-risks novelties and innovations of any sort.
WARGAMING
The DTEX model is also used to run wargames for the military to train or develop operational courses of action. DTEX is supporting the WIN (Wargaming Initiative for NATO), and the Fight Club.
COMMUNITY BUILDING
Because of its distributed, very accessible, nature, DTEX allows to bridge diverse people and communities globally. It is, amongst other, supporting the Academic Alliance of Military Academies of NATO nations and Partners through international experiments and wargame involving cadets.