U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Analysis Center’s (DAC) Strengthens Alliances with Germany Through Annual Operational Research (OR) Exchange with Germany
By Angelica Casillas
FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Sep. 24-26, 2024) – The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Analysis Center (DAC) recently hosted the U.S.-Germany Operational Research (OR) Exchange, an annual event focused on advancing military capabilities through collaborative research and innovation.
This OR Exchange is part of a longstanding tradition of cooperation, featuring both technical and senior leader principal meetings each year. The technical meeting focuses on proposed collaboration projects from an advanced methodology standpoint, while the senior leader OR Exchange meeting delves into specific topics of mutual interest, including contested logistics, ground combat systems and personnel attrition.
The gathering served as a platform for both nations to share scientific and technical knowledge in operations research, systems analysis, and modeling and simulation. Experts engaged in robust discussions on generalized methodologies and strategies for estimating the operational effectiveness and supportability of conventional military systems.
In highlighting the importance of these collaborations, Mr. Larry Larimer, Director of DAC, remarked, “In order for the Armies of different nations to fight effectively together, there must be trust among the nations and the Armies. Trust comes from familiarity, from cooperation, and from collaboration. Maintaining a strong partnership with our German counterparts is critical as we look toward the future.”
This year’s exchange centered on critical topics such as operational energy, predictive logistics, large language models, artificial intelligence and collateral damage methodology, reflecting the evolving landscape of military operations.
Brig/ Gen. Rainer Beeck, Chief Digital Officer (German) Army – Land Based Operations, says, “The U.S.-Germany OR Exchange is a long-standing partnership between the United States of America and Germany. For more than quarter of a century we combined our expertise, tackling the current and future challenges of land-based operations.“
This Data Exchange Annex enhances the global Joint Force’s operational edge and bolsters U.S. military capabilities, aligning with the National Defense Strategy’s goals of strengthening alliances and fostering integration across general-purpose and special operations forces.
Beeck addressed future global concerns stating, “In the face of the ever-increasing influence of emerging and disruptive technologies, shortened innovation cycles, and rising complexity, we need to continue facing these challenges together. Only then will we be able to successfully adapt our forces to be ready to counter any possible enemy in all domains. Together we are stronger.“
These meetings rotate annually between the two nations to continue ongoing dialogue and their partnership. Next year the U.S. team from DAC will travel to Germany.
At this year’s exchange attendees paid tribute to the late Dr. Dietmar Kunde, a highly respected figure in military research who spearheaded the exchange for the German delegation, participating in a total of 14 exchanges throughout his career. Dr. Kunde served as the long-time branch head for Operations Research and Modeling & Simulation at the German Army Headquarters until just before his passing. In his honor, a Fallen Soldier Table was set up, featuring a memorial plaque and a flag that had flown over the U.S. Capitol, symbolizing the profound impact of his contributions to the field.
The U.S.-Germany Operational Research Exchange exemplifies the power of international collaboration in advancing military innovation and readiness. By sharing knowledge and tackling emerging challenges together, the two nations continue to strengthen their partnership and enhance their collective ability to address evolving security threats. As they build on this tradition of trust and cooperation, the exchange not only honors the legacy of those like Dr. Dietmar Kunde but also ensures that both armies are better prepared for the complexities of future conflict. This enduring partnership remains a vital cornerstone in fostering a more integrated and resilient global defense network.
“Our ongoing U.S.-German OR Exchange fosters the familiarity, cooperation and collaboration needed to achieve trust. By fostering this trust, we enable our teams to work together effectively and share innovative ideas. It gives this collaboration its true strength. This partnership isn’t just about today’s accomplishments; it’s about securing our future together,” said Larimer.
The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Analysis Center (DAC) informs Army transformation and readiness decisions across the system’s life cycle through objective integrated system-level Analysis, and the development of credible Data and Analytic Tools. DAC is one of eight Centers and Labs within DEVCOM. Visit the DEVCOM website for more information.
