A leading American Army Scientist will visit The University of Aberdeen today (Friday 22 August) to discover more about an ongoing research project to enhance technology and communication in cases of major international disaster such as tsunamis and political conflict.
Dr Thomas Killion, Chief Scientist of the US Army and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, will receive an update on the International Technology Alliance in Network and Information Sciences (ITA) project, a unique 10 year American and UK based research programme led by IBM in which the University plays a significant role.
The $160 million project, aims to enable better communication and coordination between coalition members in major international scenarios and create intelligent management of sensor networks in highly unstable environments.
Potential application scenarios for the programme cover a range of modern coalition operations including humanitarian relief, peacekeeping, and policing, as well as military scenarios.
The results of the project will be of benefit to those faced with hugely challenging decision-making tasks in difficult environments, where effective collaboration with others is crucial to the success of an operation.
During his visit Dr Killion will meet with key academics including Professor Albert Rodger, Head of the College of Physical Sciences, University of Aberdeen and Dr Tim Norman, Head of Computing Science Research, University of Aberdeen who is leading the institute's ITA project team.
Within his role Dr Killion oversees the entirety of the US Army's Research and Technology programme which spans 21 laboratories and research, development and engineering centres, involving approximately 8,600 scientists. He is responsible for developing a science and technology strategy responsive to both the US Army's short term and long term needs.