NATO Annual Science and Technology Cooperation Work Plan Report

Key Chapter Title List

1. Preface and Work Objectives
2. Overview of the NATO Science and Technology Organization
3. Science and Technology Strategic Priorities and the Collaborative Programme of Work
4. STO Technical Committees and Core Activities
5. Structure of the 2024 Collaborative Programme of Work
6. 2024 Key Meeting Schedule
7. Applied Vehicle Technology (AVT) Special Program
8. Human Factors and Medicine (HFM) Special Program
9. Information Systems Technology (IST) Special Program
10. NATO Modelling and Simulation Group (NMSG) Special Program
11. System Analysis and Studies (SAS) Special Program
12. Sensors and Electronics Technology (SET) Special Program

Document Introduction

Against the backdrop of global strategic competition focusing on the science and technology domain, the NATO Science and Technology Organization (STO) has released the "2024 Collaborative Programme of Work (CPoW)," positioning science and technology as the core pillar for maintaining the Alliance's deterrence and defense capabilities, aiming to consolidate NATO's technological advantage through multinational collaborative research. As the core output of the STO, this plan encompasses nearly 400 research activities, focusing on key areas such as cyber, space, sensors, artificial intelligence, and quantum technologies, providing member and partner nations with scientific and technological support to ensure battlefield superiority.

The report systematically elaborates on the organizational structure and operational mechanisms of the STO: strategic guidance is provided by the Science and Technology Board (STB), seven Science and Technology Committees (STCs) are responsible for specific research implementation, and the Collaboration Support Office (CSO) coordinates and manages the world's largest defense science and technology research network—bringing together over 5,000 top experts from government, industry, and academia. It employs a low-bureaucracy, voluntary collaboration model to ensure research efficiency and technology transfer.

The plan defines two major strategic guidance frameworks: the NATO Science and Technology Strategy outlines five lines of action, while the CPoW 2024-2030 Strategy focuses on four core objectives, centered around 42 key tasks across 10 science and technology domains, with a priority on advancing the development of nine key emerging and disruptive technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, biotechnology). Each technical committee conducts targeted research according to its functional division: from the development of hypersonic equipment in Applied Vehicle Technology, to cognitive warfare protection in Human Factors and Medicine, and to quantum communications and cybersecurity in Information Systems Technology, forming a comprehensive, all-domain research layout.

The 2024 plan includes 343 ongoing research activities (including new projects), dynamically adjusted through two business meetings in spring and autumn. Research is conducted in diverse formats such as Technical Task Groups, Exploratory Teams, and Specialist Workshops, emphasizing cross-committee collaboration (Cross-STC) to jointly tackle common challenges like multi-domain operations and adaptation to complex environments. All outputs are delivered in the form of technical reports, standards, technical demonstrations, etc., providing scientific support for NATO military capability modernization, enhancement of equipment interoperability, and strategic decision-making.

As the official blueprint for NATO defense science and technology cooperation, this report not only demonstrates its technological layout for addressing global security challenges but also reveals the core directions of future technological competition in the international security domain, providing an authoritative reference for understanding NATO's strategic intent and military technology development trends.