Official visit of the Deputy NATO SACT General Aurelio COLAGRANDE to the NATO M&S COE
Rome, 07/05/2026 — This morning, General Aurelio COLAGRANDE, Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (DSACT), paid an official visit to the NATO Modelling & Simulation COE with the aim of gaining deeper insight into the activities carried out by the Centre and to closely examine its main products, services, and capabilities developed in support of Alliance operations.
Welcomed by the Director of the Centre, Col. Felice DE ROSA, during the visit General COLAGRANDE received a detailed briefing on the Centre’s key research, development, and technical support activities provided to meet various international requirements, including ongoing efforts to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into modelling and simulation processes.
Particular attention was devoted to key products such as the Electromagnetic Layer for Multi-domain Operations (ELMO) and Cyberspace Hybrid Warfare for Educational Strategic Scenarios (CHESS), which highlighted how modelling and simulation (M&S) can accelerate the analysis of complex scenarios and support decision-making processes of military and political leadership, especially in critical and emergency situations. These tools take into account multiple variables and provide a range of well-considered options tested in a more flexible, secure, and effective virtual environment. Addressing these challenges is therefore essential to strengthening key capabilities such as decision support, real operations planning, exercise conduct, education and training, wargaming, and Lessons Learned.
During the visit Gen COLAGRANDE also received the invitation for the upcoming NATO CA2X2 Forum, which will take place in Rome from September 29 to October 1. The Forum, which represents the Flagship Event in the field of Modelling and Simulation, is organized by the NATO M&S COE under the mandate of NATO ACT.
At the end of the visit, the General expressed his appreciation for the Centre’s high level of professionalism and innovation, showing satisfaction and gratitude for its work in support of the entire Alliance.
Written by LTC Saverio FLORE and CWO Michele Pellegrino NATO M&S COE
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The NATO Modelling & Simulation Centre of Excellence is dedicated to the promotion of Modelling & Simulation in support of operational requirements, training and interoperability. The Centre act as a catalyst for transformation through the involvement of NATO, governments, academia, industry, operational and training entities, by improving the networking of NATO and nationally owned Modelling & Simulation systems, the cooperation between Nations and organizations through the sharing of Modelling & Simulation information and developments and serving as an international source of expertise for transformation in the related domain. https://www.mscoe.org
NATO Centres of Excellence are nationally or multi-nationally funded institutions accredited by NATO. They train and educate leaders and specialists from NATO member and partner countries, assist in doctrine development, identify lessons learned, improve interoperability and capabilities, and test and validate concepts through experimentation. They offer recognized expertise and experience that is of benefit to the Alliance and support the transformation of NATO, while avoiding the duplication of assets, resources and capabilities already present within the NATO command structure. Although not part of the NATO command structure, they are part of a wider framework supporting NATO Command Arrangements. [source https://www.act.nato.int/centres-of-excellence]
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