STO-MP-MSG-197 1 - 1
Generation After Next for Defence Simulation and Synthetic
Environments
Jon Lloyd
Senior Principal Advisor (Simulation)
Dstl, UK MOD
UNITED KINGDOM
Jplloyd1@dstl.gov.uk
James Kearse
Product Manager
QinetiQ Training and Simulation UK
UNITED KINGDOM
James.Kearse@nsc.co.uk
ABSTRACT
The United Kingdom (UK) Ministry of Defence (MOD) Science and Technology Strategy has directed
research to focus on Generation After Next (GAN) capabilities. GAN capabilities are those things that
Defence cannot buy today, and that require basic science and technology before they become available. Dstl
have recently led an activity to identify what GAN means for the research of Defence Simulation and
Synthetic Environments applied to Defence Training, Education and Preparation. This has involved
gathering input from Defence stakeholders (future front line military users), alongside a review of GAN
technology from UK industry and academia (led by QinetiQ, Thales, Cordillera Applications Group, and
Microsoft).
This presentation will provide an overview of the recommended GAN technologies that are important for
Defence to mature over the next five years. This includes areas such as; Extended Reality (XR); Digital
Twins; Metaverses; Learning Technology; Core Simulation Technology; AI and Automation; and those
required to represent Future Complex Operating Environments. It will provide an overview of where
Defence should focus research; what should be left to the consumer domain to mature; and what
functionality and capability Defence might expect to be able to utilise in the five year time frame.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 UK MOD Science and Technology Strategy
Technology and its use are increasingly central to the UK MODs ability to deliver its strategy and how we
operate. The MOD S&T Strategy
1
and recent Integrated Review for Defence and Security
2
both emphasise
the need for the UK MOD to better understand the future, and find, nurture and fund Generation After Next
technologies. UK MOD must also identify, evaluate and pull-through emerging technologies and innovation
through demonstrators, experimentation, better exploit processes and structures and accelerate adoption of
existing technologies at scale to enable UK advantage.
1.1.1 Generation After Next
The MOD Chief Scientific Advisor (CSA), Dame Angela McLean, provided a definition of GAN as follows:
1
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mod-science-and-technology-strategy-2020
2
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/global-britain-in-a-competitive-age-the-integrated-review-of-security-defence-
development-and-foreign-policy
