SUMMARY
The CapTech CBRN and Human Factors’ (CBRN & HF) main objective is to support the strengthening of European armed forces' capability to safely operate in a CBRN environment while contributing to civilian-led crisis response operations if needed. Considering emerging CBRN threats, strong need exists for specific defence R&T on CBRN, as well as for monitoring and investigating developments in the military and security environments. The CapTech CBRN & HF engages on these aspects in collaboration with other international institutions (e.g., European Space Agency [ESA]) and organisations (e.g. NATO, EU).
The CapTech facilitates the process of enabling participating Member States to transform capability gaps into applied technology. Its activity covers underlying technologies in the following areas:
- TBB05 - Personal Protective Equipment
- TBB06 - Detection, Identification and Monitoring (DIM) of CBR
- TBB07 - CBRN Hazard Management
- TBB08 - CBRN Modelling & Simulation
- TBB09 - Protection of Critical Infrastructure (PCI) from CBRN
- TBB10 - Protection of Food & Water Supply from CBRN
- TBB11 - Assessment, Diagnosis and Medical Countermeasures of CBR Hazards
Within the CapTech’s component focusing on Human Factors research and technology development, the activity covers the underlying technologies in the following areas:
- TBB01 - Human Autonomy Teaming
- TBB02 - Human Performance Monitoring & Enhancement
- TBB03 - Customized Training
- TBB04 - Integration of human’s clothing and equipment in platforms
- TBB12 - Human Resources & Social Sciences
The work of the CapTech CBRN & HF is generally of TRL in the ranges of 2 to 6. The activity of the CapTech seeks to support and promote European collaborative research initiatives and development of innovative technologies for the improvement of future CBRN Defence Capabilities & Human Capability Enhancement.
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION
The CBRN & HF CapTech meetings are held 3 times per year, with a duration of 2-4 days. All the information is shared in its Workspace. Prior, or right after a CapTech meeting, a workshop or seminar can take place. The workshops are participatory, and their objectives aim to achieve concrete outcomes, such as the preparation of a project or fulfilment of an extraordinary request.
Requests for membership to the CapTech can be submitted to the CapTech Moderator and granted by the respective CapTech National Coordinator. Be aware that your request will be forwarded to your national authorities, in the person of the relevant CNC. The approval of the CNC will be needed to become a Governmental Expert (CGE) or non-Governmental Expert (CnGE), and for your participation in a CapTech event. To become a member of the CapTech (CGE or CnGE), please contact us at: Cap.Tech.CBRN&HF@eda.europa.eu
The CBRN Strategic Research Agenda (SRA) was approved in 2018 and more recently the Human Factors SRA was finalized.
Based on the SRAs, any CapTech member can propose ideas for new activities (projects, workshops, seminars, etc.) at any meeting. The active involvement of non-governmental members in proposing solutions for governmental needs, with a consistent and systematic ground for dialogue can definitely encourage cooperation.
CapTech CBRN & HF Portfolio:
The CapTech CBRN Protection & Human Factors’ experts are currently engaged in several new Cat B projects and project proposals related to:
- Test & Evaluation Bio Detection Identification and Monitoring Equipment (T&E BIODIM II) - the overall aim of this project is to define joint standards for test and evaluation (T&E) regarding biological detection, identification, and monitoring capabilities (BIODIM).
- Test & Evaluation of Personal Protective Equipment (T&E PPE) - comparison of test procedures & results in tests and evaluations of individual protective equipment against Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) threats
- European Biodefence Laboratory Network II (EBLN II) - the objective of the project is to improve the European capability of biothreat agents’ identification and tracking systems taking advantage of the already established network of biodefence laboratories (EBLN).
- Cold Weather Operations (CWO) - aims to contribute to improving the European capability of operating in Arctic/cold environments by developing tools to: i) reduce the risk of soldiers developing cold-weather-related injuries and ii) enhance war fighter performance. CWO make considerable demands on physical and mental health of the soldiers.
- Serious Gaming on Screening for Resilience (SEGARES) - will contribute to improve military and police recruitment, selection, learning and development by developing (online) serious games to screen on a set of critical competences needed to deal with challenging situations. This will result in a better selection, improved personnel mobility, and an increase of operational performance of military and police in their work.
- Exoskeletons - the aim of this project is to support pMS in the preparation for successful implementation of exoskeletons to reduce workload and/or enhance performance.
In 2012, the Joint Investment Programme on CBRN protection was developed. As such, the capability needs were translated into R&T goals for the Joint Investment Programme (JIP) CBRN, in which selected proposals were developed, resulting in 14 finalized projects. More information can be found here: JIP CBRN Overview (August 2019)