Research Management
Technology is developing faster than ever. This development is driving how modern armies are organised and successfully engaged. First, however, a comprehensive and systematic analysis of the societal, political, economic, military and technological developments shows the complexity and interrelationships of the decision-making environment. Research management provides future-oriented expertise for assessing technology for the army. In addition, complex issues for decision-makers are worked through and represented clearly using modelling and simulations.
Research Management allows us to ensure the strategic and operative planning of research activities within armasuisse and the army. This also includes the determination of research focus and priority themes, finance planning and control, and knowledge transfer to the army‘s ongoing projects. The operative implementation is carried out within research programmes, which are aligned to the operational capabilities of the army. Another aim of Research Management is to build strategic partnerships with universities, industry, and state organisations of other countries.
Research programs
The Science and Technology (S+T) Technical Research Department is responsible for preparing the long-term research plan that defines the strategic research direction to be taken by the army. The Science and Technology Department prepares annual research plans for the operational implementation of the research in the form of programs and projects.
Reconnaissance and surveillance
The reconnaissance and surveillance research program operated by the armasuisse Science and
Technology competence sector deals with five capability-oriented competence areas in the field of ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance).
Cyberspace
The advancing digitalisation makes cyberspace a central space for modern conflicts and wars.
The aim of the programme is to build and ensure technological expertise to identify, assess and reduce risks in cyberspace.
Unmanned mobile systems
Unmanned mobile systems are revolutionising the operational field of security forces. The potential applications are manifold and range from the procurement of information, surveillance, defence and disruption to subterfuge, explosive ordinance disposal and logistical tasks.
Technology foresight
The aim is to forecast disruptive technological developments, evaluate their impacts in a military concept and identify the potential consequences. The timely identification of technology trends with disruptive potential allows for risks to be addressed in good time with respect to the further development and planning of the Armed Forces.
Communications technology
Information and communications technologies develop rapidly and the development cycles are commensurately short. The risk that technologies will become obsolete in the foreseeable future must be countered with new technologically and economically balanced solutions.
Data Science
The Data Science research programme contributes to the acquisition of the necessary knowledge in the fields of artificial intelligence and machine/deep learning for the development of military capabilities in the areas of intelligence and command and control.
Agency, defence and security
Knowledge of weapons and defence concepts is also indispensable for being able to professionally evaluate national security aspects in the future. The research program follows the development of defences in the fields of chemical, kinetic, thermal and electromagnetic weapons.
Space
The Space research programme is developing the basic scientific and technological principles so that the Armed Forces can make strategic decisions in the domain of operations of outer space with a minimum of risks and a view to the future.
Research Supervision
Research Supervision is responsible for the strategic management of research activities. This unit consists of representatives from the planning staff of the Armed Forces and armasuisse S+T. Research Supervision is responsible for ensuring the correct strategic focus of research, an adequate strategic setting of agendas and the incorporation of research into the planning and development processes of the Armed Forces.
Procedure
An annual research plan sets out the activities on a program and project level. Operational implementation takes place as part of projects within six programs and in a cross-sectional area. Knowledge is transferred through workshops, symposia and presentations. As it is the same employees who develop expertise and lead research projects, a seamless transfer of knowledge from research into the S+T goods and services is guaranteed.
Downloads
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Factsheet Research Management armasuisse
PDF, 2 Pages, 752 KB, English
and Operations Research
Feuerwerkerstrasse 39
CH-3602 Thun
- Tel.
- +41 58 468 30 03
Head of Research Management and Operations Research
Dr. Hansruedi Bircher