Karl Erik Olsen

Karl Erik Olsen is a professor of military technology at the Norwegian Defence University College, Air Force Academy (2025-present). Olsen has worked at the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI) (1998-2025). At FFI, Olsen has been assistant research director (2021-2025) and director of research (2018-2021) for the Department of Defence Systems, and research manager at FFI (2012-2018). Olsen was adjunct Professor at the Air Force Academy, Department of Air Power and Technology (2017-2025).

Olsen has a master’s degree in applied mathematics from the University of Bergen (1998), a PhD in radar signal processing from University College London (2011), and he has attended the Armed Forces Senior Executive Course (2021).

Olsen was active in NATO Science & Technology Organisation (STO) research groups (2003-2016) and in NATO STO Sensors & Electronics Technology Panel (2014-2018). Olsen was head of analysis in the Chief of Defence’s Military Advisory Board 2019 at the Ministry of Defence, where he led the work on the study “Continuously develop a relevant defence by utilizing existing and new technology.” Olsen was Honorary Research Associate at University College London (2011-2020) and a member of the IEEE Radar Systems Panel (2017-2019).

Title of the presentation:
From Radar Research to Military Impact: Technology in an Era of Strategic Rivalry

Abstract:
This presentation will focus on the impact of applied technology on military operations. In particular, it will highlight two key perspectives. First, it examines how emerging technologies influence military operations, including the balance between man-in-the-loop and man-on-the-loop approaches. Second, it explores how new technologies affect education, training, and exercises.

The presentation will demonstrate how radar, along with other technologies, is reshaping the conceptual understanding of military operations. Examples from current research at the Norwegian Defence University College (NDUC) and the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI) will be presented, illustrated through the sensor-to-shooter chain.

For the radar community, the presentation aims to place groundbreaking research within a broader ecosystem, spanning from fundamental science to operational military effects. Finally, the presentation will provide examples of current and emerging requirements driven by the evolving and increasingly challenging security and defence environment.