Concept development and experimentation

Concept Development & Experimentation (CD & E). ( German: " Concept Development and its experimental verification " ) is the name of one of the essential core elements of the transformation process of the armed forces similar to the network-centric operations or Effects Based Approach to Multinational Operations ( EBAO ) ua CD & E describes a possible approach to adapt and improve the capabilities of the armed forces with regard to the security challenges of the 21st century.

The method of CD & E in the context of the transformation of the Bundeswehr

Transformation is the continuous and anticipatory adaptation process of the Bundeswehr in a rapidly evolving security environment with its political, social, economic and technological changes in order to increase the operational capability of the Armed Forces and to get them on time.

CD & E is a method that examines in an iterative process of mutual concept development and experimental verification innovative ideas using scientific methods to their operational benefits for the Bundeswehr. The aim of the application of the method CD & E is to recognize that a new idea inherent innovation potential early on, assess its relevance for the Bundeswehr to check for feasibility and to investigate its effectiveness. Here is a Verified proposed solution for future concepts, methods and procedures, structures and systems are developed. The creative potential of the people involved is intended to be used in particular.

The method of CD & E can be use to solve problems in all planning categories and in all fields of the transformation of the Bundeswehr. Thus it has, inter alia, a special meaning as a support method to achieve the transformational intermediate target " Erstbefähigung the Bundeswehr to Networked Enabled Capabilities (NEC ) ". Innovative solutions from the Army, the research or the economy have to be recorded, investigated and further developed the conceptual maturity that the Bundeswehr acquired an independent judgment about the respective contents and objectives of the solutions examined. The validation of new CD & E concepts by experimental verification is crucial basis for their implementation and thus also for an increase in skills. To make CD & E - projects contribute to skills development in the context of the Bundeswehr planning.

Open-endedness, science and a holistic approach possible shape the way CD & E.

The figure shows the example of a removable disk, the principle CD & E. In the context of the need for transportable storage media disks provided a first opportunity that initially led to the development of CD / DVD, and finally to the USB stick on the basis of further developments and greater memory. Here solve innovative ideas in the development of new techniques from in rapid succession. The rapid succession of time has a crucial importance. Existing systems will not only further developed, but partially replaced by completely new technologies.

Process / methodology of CD & E project

The concept of point of entry ( KES) of the Bundeswehr was established to create a common point of entry for the submission of concept ideas. This is located at the Center for Transformation of the Bundeswehr ( ZTransfBw ) in Strausberg. While the concept ideas can be directed to the KES from the Bundeswehr out ideas from the industrial sector on the basis of the provisions of the licensing and procurement law on the concept of acceptance at the Federal Office of Defense Technology and Procurement ( BWB) must be submitted. The figure illustrates the idea and the objective of the KES.

Each concept idea is supplied by the KES an initial side offices. For different initial assessments of a concept idea the offices working group ( AEAG ) CD & E has to deal with this problem. The AEAG developed a coordinated proposal of offices level, which then in the ministerial working group (WG ) CD & E is introduced. This final decision on the adoption of a concept idea as the theme for a new CD & E - projects. The process for receiving and initial concept ideas ( VerfEEKI ) is illustrated in the following figure.

After recognition of the concept idea, the development of the project plans (VP) occurs with:

• The description of the objective of the project and the conditions ( VP = WHAT Part I );
• A derivative of the goals and development of the procedure (VP Part II = AS );
• A first resource and time planning (VP Part III WHO / WHEN ).

With the approval of the project plan by the AG CD & E and the issuance of a referral by the Federal Ministry of Defence ( Defence Ministry ), the CD & E - project dependent.

The CD & E process is practiced in the course according to the following basic idea: Starting from the initial concept to an experimented and evaluated for a recommendation armed forces common approach, such methods and procedures as well as structures and systems are developed. This CD & E approach usually runs through several phases until it reaches a specified level of development. The concept development is supported by "experiments". Experiments are under scientific (laboratory ) conditions verify the design concept in various stages of development. Whenever possible, the CD & E are to support experiments by simulation systems. It is expected that one or more experiments, various forms are required in each phase of the development concept. The concept of development is in the context of quality assurance constantly evaluated. By evaluating failures are stopped early, conserve financial resources and time losses.