NATO use of modeling and simulation to evolve autonomous systems

We are on the verge of a technology revolution in the military domain. Driven partly by the need to manage reduced resources and lessen the danger to personnel, but also to increase military and technological advantages over adversaries. Modern armies are considering autonomous technologies to support and augment human capabilities in all domains of operation and NATO is no exception. NATO started to investigate the potential of Autonomous Systems in the Future Military Operations, several years ago and this effort constantly graduate. The chapter describes the situation in the area of Autonomous Systems within NATO and considers the potential and realized effort in Modeling and Simulation domain in support of this phenomenon. In the chapter are summarized important activities and milestones which led to evolvement of Autonomous Systems within NATO, particularly NATO RTO/SAS-097, MCDC/AxS, MESAS Conference, organized since 2014 by NATO Modeling and Simulation Centre of Excellence (M&S COE) and other connected effort.