Autonomous Systems

Pablo Gonzalez - Chairman of the Defence Research Committee (ASD)

Director for NATO and European Defence and Space in Indra since 2013. Member of the EC Expert Group on Defence Aeronautics and Space. Vice-Chairman of the Defence Business Unit and Chairman of the Defence Research Committee (DRC) in ASD. Vice-Chaiman of the NATO Industrial Advisory Group (NIAG) from 2020 to 2024.

In Indra since 2000, he was Director of Unmanned Systems and Business Development Manager for European Space Programs. Before Indra, he was Head Space Programs in CDTI and member of the Spanish Delegation to ESA. He was also in GMV and in the Spanish Air Force. Master degree in Aeronautical Engineering by UPM in 1989.

He completed the 2017 “Session Européenne des Responsables d’Armament” in IHEDN, being currently member of the SERA Council. He has completed Advance Management Programmes in both IE Business School and ESIC. He lectured Mathematics in the UPM.

Yaroslav Vinnytskyi - Head of Projects and Programs (Brave 1 Ukraine)

Yaroslav Vinnytskyi is an experienced project and program leader specializing in defense technology and innovation. As Head of Projects and Programs at Brave1 under Ukraine's Ministry of Digital Transformation, he collaborates with startups and developers to advance the defense-industrial complex by implementing innovative solutions and securing funding.

He also actively fosters an ecosystem supporting defense innovations through partnerships and international collaborations. Previously, he led demining initiatives at SE "Ukroboronservice" and developed strategic projects for Ukraine's humanitarian demining sector.

With expertise from his roles across the public and private sectors, Yaroslav holds degrees in telecommunications, project management, and an Executive MBA from the Kyiv-Mohyla Business School, and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Banking. Yaroslav is committed to advancing security and defense through strategic innovation and collaboration.

Christian Schleippmann - Head of Technology and Innovation Unit (EDA)

Mr. Christian Schleippmann is the Head of Unit Technology and Innovation within the Research, Technology and Innovation Directorate at the European Defence Agency (EDA), responsible for all defence-related research capability technology fields. With 20 years of experience in defence research, academic education, and administration, he has worked in both national and international settings.

His career includes roles as a project officer at the German Bundeswehr Technical Centre for Information Technologies and Electronics (WTD 81) and at the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment (BAAINBw). He also served as a line manager at the Federal Academy of the Bundeswehr (BiZBw) and as a senior advisor for EU/EDA armaments policy at the Federal Ministry of Defence in Berlin. Mr. Schleippmann holds a Diploma in Computer Science from the Technical University of Munich and, in 2022, earned a certificate from Senior Course 140 at the NATO Defence College in Rome.

Thomas Grohs - Head of Future Capabilities (Airbus DS)

Thomas Grohs completed an engineering degree the field of aerospace technology. He is currently Head of Future Capabilities at Airbus Defence and Space and thus largely responsible for the technical realisation of the overall FCAS architecture.

Prior to this role, Thomas took over the position as Chief Engineer for the Combat Aircraft Programs of Airbus Defence and Space, being responsible for the technical content of the Airbus Workshare within the multinational Eurofighter / Typhoon Program.

 Raul Rikk - Capability Development Director (MILREM)

Raul Rikk is the Capability Development Director at Milrem Robotics. His areas of responsibility include strategic planning, the development of military robotics concepts, and the execution of long-term development projects, including those for the EU and NATO. Previously, he served as the Estonian Director of National Cyber Security, where his primary role was to manage, organize, and coordinate the provision of national cyber security both domestically and internationally. Raul has been involved in developing digital society and cyber security capabilities in various countries.

He is one of the founders of the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence. He also created the National Cyber Security Index. Raul holds a master's degree from the Finnish National Defense University and a master's degree in IT Management from Tallinn University. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.

Roger Berg - Head of Technology Management (Saab)

Dr. Roger Berg is Director of Technology Management at Saab Kockums responsible for R&D, university collaboration research and innovation. Dr. Berg holds a Master of Science and a Ph.D. in physics from Lund University, Sweden. Since 2020 Dr. Berg is adjunct professor in Naval Architecture at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Stockholm.

Dr. Berg has worked with submarines and naval technologies for more than 25 years in areas such as sonar and combat systems, hydroacoustics, signature management and research and development. Dr. Berg has several external appointments where he is promoting underwater and maritime research in the Swedish society. Dr. Berg is a fellow of the Royal Academy of Naval Sciences. fellow of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences and he is captain in the Swedish Army Reserve

 Volker Bäcker - Project and Policy Officer, DG-DEFIS

Lieutenant-Colonel Volker Bäcker was born in Meisenheim in 1981 and entered Military Service in 2000. After completing his Officer’s Training, he began his career as a joint terminal attack controller in an artillery battalion in Kusel, Germany.He pursued his university education in civil engineering and environmental sciences at the University of the Bundeswehr in Munich.

During his military career, he held various roles, including Maintenance Officer, Environmental Protection Officer, and Company Commander of the combat supply and support company within the Light Infantry Battalion 291 in Illkirch-Graffenstaden/ Strasbourg, France.From September 2018 to May 2021, he served as a Senior Program- and Project Manager at the Bundeswehr Technical Centre for Automotive and Armoured Vehicles in Trier, Germany. In this role, he was managing armaments projects for the Special Operation Forces.

Since May 2021, he has been deployed as a Seconded National Expert to the EU Commission, working as a policy officer in DG DEFIS. His portfolio includes project management of EDIDP and EDF projects related to Energy Resilience and Environmental.Throughout his career, he successfully managed several infrastructure and armaments projects in Afghanistan, Germany, and Lithuania.

Geert de Cubber - Research Engineer (RMA)

Geert De Cubber is the team leader of the Robotics & Autonomous Systems unit of the department of Mechanics of the Belgian Royal Military Academy. He is also a senior researcher at this institute with a research focus on developing robotic solutions for solving security and defence challenges. He received his Diploma in Mechanical Engineering in 2001 from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and his Doctoral Degree in Engineering in 2010 from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and the Belgian Royal Military Academy (RMA).

He is and was the coordinator of multiple European and national research projects, like FP7-ICARUS (on the development of search and rescue robots), H2020-SafeShore (on the development of a maritime threat detection system) and COURAGEOUS (on the development on a standard test methodology for C-UAS tools). Next to this, he is the principal investigator for RMA for multiple international research projects.

Head of the Innovation development Policy
Expert Group (Ukrainian MOD)

Chief of Department of the Unmanned Systems Development (Ukrainian Armed Forces)

Christophe Vivier - Head of SES/SESAR Unit (EDA)

Christophe Vivier is the Head of the Single European Sky (SES) Unit at the European Defence Agency since 2017. Christophe started his career in 1987 in the French Air Force as a jet pilot and has held several different leadership and managerial positions in the French Air Force, the French Military Aviation Authority and the French delegations to EU and NATO in Brussels.

The European Defence Agency, through the SES Unit, is ensuring that Military Aviation will continue to provide, and further improve, effective security and defence in Europe in the changing context of the civil aviation sector. In this regard, contributing to unlock the skies in Europe for existing and future unmanned systems is a key activity.

Roman Ceban - Head of Ukrainian Service Centre (Threod Systems)

Roman Ceban has a military background with active participation in international missions. He is a former member of international organizations, working in areas such as humanitarian aid, weapons proliferation, rule of law, human rights, and disaster relief.

With extensive experience across Eastern Europe, particularly focused on Ukraine, Roman is currently a member of Threod Systems, responsible for supporting EOS UAV operations in Ukraine.

 Daniel Fiott - Head, Defence & Statecraft Programme (CSDS)

Prof. Dr. Daniel Fiott is Head of the Defence and Statecraft Programme at the Centre for Security, Diplomacy and Strategy (CSDS), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). At CSDS, Professor Fiott researches most aspects of European defence policy with an emphasis on defence industrial policy, capability development and defence innovation.

Professor Fiott is also a Non-Resident Fellow at the Real Instituto Elcano, where he analyses defence industrial issues. Daniel was educated at the University of Cambridge. His PhD from the VUB, which was supported by the Research Foundation – Flanders (fwo), focused on EU defence-industrial politics. He is the author of Defence Industrial Cooperation in the EU: The State, the Firm and Europe and is a widely published author with leading journals. Professor Fiott previously held positions with the EU Institute for Security Studies (EUISS), the University of Kent and various think tanks.

Konrad Wojciechowski - Operations Coordinator, WB Group

 Davor Petek - Programme Manager (DOK-ING)

Davor Petek is the Program Manager for the Security & Defence Program at DOK-ING Ltd, developer and manufacturer of unmanned land systems.

As the Program Manager, he is focused on strategic planning, coordination and guidance of projects, product development, strategic initiatives across the organization, and manages the program throughout its lifecycle. With over 30 years of military experience, including the most senior positions at national and NATO level, he brings vast knowledge and experience in defence capacity building, security sector reform, force readiness and capability development for defence and security forces.

Christophe Guettier - Programme Manager (ENIG/ASD)

Dr. Christophe Guettier, is innovation program manager in the AI and autonomous system areas in SAFRAN Electronics & Defense, as well as SAFRAN Emeritus Expert for the group. Christophe Guettier obtained his PhD in Computer Science from the Ecole des Mines de Paris in 1997 with the support of Thomson (Now Thales). From 2001 to 2004, Dr. Guettier has been researcher at Xerox PARC on the DARPA program “NEST” in 2001 and at Imperial College London.

He has joined Sagem, now SAFRAN, in 2004, where he led operational experiments, European Projects and designed autonomous architecture for various applications, including fielded ones. Dr. Guettier has more than 50 publications in research domains like AI, agents systems, networking, optimization, distributed and parallel systems. He has delivered several European / US Patents  in those areas, served as a reviewer for various scientific associations (ACM and AAAI), European Commission and other international institutions.

Ross McKenzie - Joint Capability Group on UAS (NATO)

A computer graduate and former RAF maritime pilot and flight commander, this individual has extensive operational experience with tours in the Falklands, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He has served at NATO Air Command Ramstein and as Military Assistant to the UK General Staff at NATO, as well as UK MOD Airspace Policy Advisor. Since 2019, he has been NATO’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Staff Officer within the Defence Investment, Armament, and Aerospace Capability Directorate.

He runs the Joint Capability Group UAS, a tri-service group of 20+ Allies and Partners responsible for NATO’s technical and operational UAS standardization. With a deep understanding of both NATO staff and Allied perspectives, he develops and delivers UAS policy, doctrine, and capability development, ensuring alignment with customer requirements. A believer in collaboration and industry integration, he is focused on empowering allies and ensuring they are suitably supported in joint multinational air operations.

Joao Caetano - Project Officer UAS Programmes (EDA)

Dr. João Caetano served at the Portuguese Air Force for 20 years, working in Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Holds a MSc. and Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from Delft University of Technology. His career focused on UAS research and operations at the Portuguese Air Force Research Center, where he was an assistant professor.

He was head of UAS operations for the Portuguese Air Force, and UAS Remote Pilot instructor. As a NATO appointee, he oversaw UAS research and chaired the Strategic Committee of the Applied Vehicle Technologies Panel at NATO’s Science and Technology Organization. Currently, he is honored and humbled to serve the EU Members States at the European Defence Agency as a Project Officer on UAS Programmes, supporting defence research, technology development, and the integration of UAS in airspace. He supports EDA’s roles, while supporting the development of defence capabilities and military cooperation among the Member States in the UAS domain.

 Anna Guégan - Senior Programme Manager (EUROCAE)

Anna Guégan has joined the EUROCAE Secretariat in 2018.Before EUROCAE, she has gained experience in international relations and ICT policy, working both for the private and public sectors. She was c onsultant on satellite regulation and ICT market access in London, advising the leaders of the industry. She also worked for the French embassy in Beijing and Tsinghua University, and at a Brussels-based think tank.

Anna holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chinese Studies from the INALCO / Langues’O in Paris, and a Master’s degree in Political sciences from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. She also has a CISSP certification in information system security and an HAREC radio licence.

 Walter Verstrepen - Chairman of the AHWG SARUMS

Walter P. Verstrepen holds an LL.M. from KU Leuven and Tulane University and is pursuing a PhD at the University of Ghent on autonomous vessels. Specializing in maritime, aviation, and international law of the sea, he is a member of the Brussels Bar and a practicing solicitor in England and Wales. Joining the Belgian Navy in 1990 as a deck officer, he served in various roles, including legal advisor to the Staff of the Belgian Navy (1991-2019).

Since 2014, he has been part of the EDA's Working Group on Unmanned Maritime Systems (SARUMS), chairing it since 2019. From 2019 to 2021, he was legal advisor to the Chief of Staff of the Belgian Navy. He is currently a senior legal advisor at the Navy Policy Staff. Walter has lectured at the University of Antwerp and the Royal Military Academy and holds the rank of Commander Senior Grade (Capitaine de frégate).

 Hakan Naslund - Chairman of the EU Land Defence Industrial Group (ELDIG/ASD)

Håkan Näslund is the Chairman of ASD ELDIG with over 25 years of experience in the defense industry, particularly in research and development, project, program, and portfolio management, focusing on ground vehicles and associated technologies. He has a strong track record of initiating and leading major collaboration projects between academia, research institutes, and the defense industry, co-founded by governments and institutions.

Håkan is known for delivering successful programs to European Ministries of Defense and worldwide. He is a firm believer in cooperation, dual-use technology, and the transfer of innovations between commercial and defense applications. In addition to his industry expertise, Håkan brings leadership skills in strategic development, solutions sales, and a customer-focused approach. With a background in both technical and management roles, he excels in building high-performing teams, fostering long-term customer relationships, and driving market demand for innovative products. Most of his career has been spent at BAE Systems Hägglunds.

Jan Joel Andersson - Senior Analyst (EUISS)

Dr.Jan Joel Andersson is a Senior Analyst at the EU Institute for Security Studies, where he heads the analysis of security and defence, including CSDP, Capability Development, Defence Industry and Technology and Innovation issues. Between 2017-2022, he was a member of the Chief Executive's Policy Office at the European Defence Agency, advising the EDA Chief Executive on strategy and policy, specifically on the EU defence initiatives, relations with the European Commission and the defence and high-tech industries.

Dr Andersson has also worked in the private sector for a world-leading crisis management consultancy and has held faculty appointments at universities and in think tanks in the United States, Sweden, and France. He has published widely on European and transatlantic security and defence, capability development, and defence industry issues. He has been invited to lecture in more than 30 countries around the world. 

Mario Martinho - PO Land Systems Technologies (EDA)

Mario Martinho moderates the Capability & Technology Ground Systems Group, coordinating Research and Technology activities for future Military Land Systems. His focus areas include manned/unmanned teaming and adaptive cooperation, new energy solutions for land platforms and soldiers, active and passive protection systems, novel user interfaces for soldiers, and weapon systems integration.

He is also the coordinator of the EDA’s Action Plan on Autonomous Systems and the Ad Hoc Working Group on Autonomous Systems. Before joining EDA, Mario advised the Portuguese National Armaments Director, represented his country in multiple EU and NATO defence fora, and participated in three peacekeeping operations in Lebanon and East Timor. Mario holds a master’s degree in military engineering from the Portuguese Military Academy, a postgraduate degree in “Military Sciences – Security and Defence” from the Institute of High Military Studies in Lisbon, and is a PhD candidate in Political Science at Nova University of Lisbon.

Daniel Mosquera - PO Air Systems Technologies (EDA)

Daniel is Master in Aeronautical Engineering National University of Armed Forces, in Venezuela (2002). In 2004 he obtained a master’s degree in Airport Systems at the UPM - University of Madrid part of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) International Cooperation Programme and the Spanish Air Navigation Services Provider (AENA). In 2020 he joined EDA as PO Air System Technologies under the Research, Technology and Innovation Unit.

Since then, Daniel has led the CapTech Aerial Systems and is responsible for promoting and supporting defence research at EU-level in the Air domain, moderating and steering the Capability Technology Group Air Systems (CapTech AIR), maintaining and updating the Strategic Research Agenda on Air Systems Technologies and Synthesize R&T priorities and identifying ways to address them. Additionally, he worked for 13 years for Ingeniería de Sistemas para la Defensa de España, as the Head of Research, Development and Innovation Unit in the Business Development Directorate.

Juan Jesus Hernandez - PO Naval Systems Technologies (EDA)

Juan Jesús Díaz is an experienced defence professional specializing in naval systems and technology. Since September 2022, he has been serving as Project Officer for Naval Systems Technologies at the European Defence Agency (EDA).

His responsibilities include moderating the CapTech Maritime and supporting EU Member States through managing maritime research and technology (R&T) projects. He plays a key role in initiatives like OSRA and contributes to high-level strategic documents, such as the Action Plan on Autonomous Systems (APAS). Before joining the EDA, Juan Jesús worked at ISDEFE (2004-2022) as a Systems Engineer and Technology Consultant, providing technical support to the Spanish MoD for defence-related R&T programs. He was involved in international collaboration and the evaluation of emerging technologies, particularly in the maritime domain. Juan holds a Master’s Degree in Naval Architecture and has hands-on experience from working in both civilian and military shipyards, such as Hijos J. Barreras and Navantia.

David Neumann - PO Guidance, Navigation and Control (EDA)

David Neumann is the Manager of R&T in Guidance, Navigation, and Control at the European Defence Agency (EDA) since September 2019. He moderates the corresponding Capability Technology Group, focusing on crucial defence technologies. Prior to joining EDA, he worked at the Austrian Federal Ministry of Defence as the Research Coordinator for international defence research and technology.

David's military career spans over 21 years with the Austrian Armed Forces, where he gained extensive operational experience. He holds a BA in Military Leadership from the Austrian Theresian Military Academy, as well as a BSc and MSc in Mechatronics/Business Management, specializing in autonomous systems, automotive engineering, and technology foresight. His academic and professional journey reflects a deep commitment to advancing European defence capabilities through innovation and collaboration.

Federica Valente, Hub for EU Defence Innovation Manager (EDA)

Ms. Federica Valente is the Hub for EU Defence Innovation Manager at the European Defence Agency (EDA), where she leads the Hub’s strategic direction, portfolio management, and stakeholder engagement. With over 15 years of experience in the defence sector, she has excelled in roles such as researcher, program manager, and business development leader.

At the Netherlands Applied Research Institute (TNO), Ms. Valente played a key role in managing international relationships and expanding TNO’s global reach. She contributed to research projects, NATO panels, and advised the Netherlands Ministry of Defence on European funding mechanisms like PADR and EDF.

In addition to her work at EDA, she mentors in the European Innovation Council's Women Leadership Program and serves on the Board of Trustees at the International School of Brussels, offering her strategic expertise to support emerging leaders and institutions.

Joao Caetano - PO UAS Programmes (EDA)

Dr. João Caetano served at the Portuguese Air Force for 20 years, working in Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Holds a MSc. and Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from Delft University of Technology. His career focused on UAS research and operations at the Portuguese Air Force Research Center, where he was an assistant professor. He was head of UAS operations for the Portuguese Air Force, and UAS Remote Pilot instructor.

As a NATO appointee, he oversaw UAS research and chaired the Strategic Committee of the Applied Vehicle Technologies Panel at NATO’s Science and Technology Organization. Currently, he is honored and humbled to serve the EU Members States at the European Defence Agency as a Project Officer on UAS Programmes, supporting defence research, technology development, and the integration of UAS in airspace. He supports EDA’s roles, while supporting the development of defence capabilities and military cooperation among the Member States in the UAS domain.

 Luca Gargiulo - PO Aviation / Air Superiority (EDA)

He joined the Italian Air Force in 1990 and became a rated military pilot in 1995 in USA. Assigned to a fighter squadron in Italy, he completed all the qualifications up to flight instructor and examiner. After his last flying assignment in 2010 and more than 3500 flying hours, he worked on the development of air combat capabilities at the Italian Air Force Staff.

In 2019 he joined the European Defence Agency as Project Officer CARD, dealing with the EU Defence Review. Since 2023 he is a member of the Air Domain Unit and his portfolio covers the key areas of capability development such as: unmanned systems for air combat, systems for Airborne Command and Inform capabilities and the next generation helicopters.

Bruno Serrano - PO Airworthiness (EDA)

Bruno Serrano joined the Portuguese Air Force Academy in 2003, he graduated as an Air Force Officer with a Master’s in Aeronautics Science. He also holds an MBA from the Lisbon School of Economics and Management.

In 2009, he was appointed to the Portuguese Air Force Engineering and Programs Directorate, where he served as Head of Fleet Support Engineering for structures and materials, Head of the Aircraft Condition Assessment Office, and Head of the Office of Airworthiness. For 10 years, he also worked as a Compliance Verification Engineer and Head of Office of Airworthiness in civil organisations, leading the development of mission equipment and implementing changes to civil aircraft. In May 2022, he joined the EDA as Project Officer Defence Test and Evaluation, liaising with Member States Test Centres. After two years, he transitioned to the EDA’s Airworthiness Office, supporting the Military Airworthiness Authorities Forum Design and Production Advisory Group.