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| Updated: 04-Nov-2002 | NATO Publications |
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The NATO Research and Technology Organisation (RTO) is responsible for integrating the direction and coordination of NATO defence research and technology; conducting and promoting cooperative research and technical information exchange among national defence research activities; developing a long term NATO Research and Technology strategy; and providing advice on research and technology issues. The RTO builds upon earlier cooperation in defence research and technology under the former Advisory Group for Aerospace Research and Development (AGARD) and the Defence Research Group (DRG), both of which have been brought together to form the new Organisation. The mission of the RTO is to conduct and promote cooperative research and information exchange, to support the development and effective use of national defence research and technology to meet the military needs of the Alliance, to maintain a technological lead and to provide advice to NATO and national decision makers. It is supported by an extensive network of national experts and coordinates its activities with other NATO bodies involved in research and technology. The RTO reports both to the Military Committee and to the Conference of National Armament Directors. It comprises a Research and Technology Board (RTB) and a Research and Technology Agency (RTA), with its headquarters in Neuilly, France. The full range of research and technology activities is covered by six Panels, dealing with the following subjects:
Each Panel is made up of national representatives including highly qualified scientific experts. The Panels maintain links with military users and other NATO bodies. The scientific and technological work of the RTO is carried out by Technical Teams, created for specific activities and with a specific duration. The Technical Teams organise workshops, symposia, field trials, lecture series and training courses and ensure the continuity of the expert networks. They also play an important role in formulating longer term plans. In order to facilitate contacts with the military users and other NATO activities, part of the RTA staff is located in the Technology Studies and Coordination Office at NATO Headquarters in Brussels. This staff provides liaison with the International Military Staff and with the Defence Support Division of the International Staff. The coordination of efforts directed towards Partner countries is also mainly undertaken from Brussels. The coordination of research and technology activities with other parts of the NATO structure is facilitated by the participation of RTO representatives on relevant Boards and in the meetings of directing bodies such as the NATO C3 Board and the NATO Science Committee. Similarly, the General Manager of the NATO C3 Agency and the Director of the SACLANT Undersea Research Centre, to take another example, are ex-officio members of the Research and Technology Board. Coordination of research and technology activities with the member nations is handled through National Coordinators, who also assist in the organisation of activities such as symposia, Board meetings, lecture series and Consultant Missions. In the context of the Partnership for Peace programme, contacts with NATO's Partner countries initiated under the former AGARD Outreach programme are being extended, with particular emphasis on the countries which are aspirants for NATO membership. Further information:
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