GLOW 2025 has just concluded in Troia, Portugal, marking the latest stage of NATO’s Innovation Continuum. SMA-RTY participated in this phase, which focuses on moving from design to real-world experimentation, testing and integrating emerging technologies in realistic operational settings.

Understanding the Innovation Continuum

The Innovation Continuum is a strategic initiative by NATO Allied Command Transformation (ACT), aimed at accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies within the Alliance. It comprises four sequenced events:

• SPARK : scoping,
• IGNITE: scenario development,
• GLOW: integration,
• and SHINE (demonstration and experimentation).

SMA-RTY’s Contributions at GLOW 2025

At GLOW 2025, SMA-RTY used the opportunity to test its Next Generation Communications Infrastructure (NGCI) in complex, multi-vendor environments. Two main experiments were carried out:

• 5G Bubbles Integration: Two private 5G networks from different vendors were simulated at opposite ends of a naval pier. A mobile router aboard a boat tested roaming capabilities and coverage across the naval base, supported by spectrum analysis.
• Wireless Access Backbone (WAB): In collaboration with the University of Aveiro, SMA-RTY explored the concept of a gNB acting as both a user and a cell. The control plane was successfully established, and further analysis is ongoing.

Looking Ahead: SHINE 2025

The process continues with SHINE 2025, scheduled for October in Istanbul. This final phase will showcase the outcomes of the Innovation Continuum, demonstrating the practical applications of the technologies tested throughout the year. SMA-RTY’s involvement in GLOW 2025 reflects its ongoing commitment to technological innovation and its contribution to improving operational communications in challenging and evolving environments.