Programme Category
Programme Name
Programme Description
The European Defence Fund (EDF) is the Commission’s initiative to support collaborative defence research and development, and to foster an innovative and competitive defence industrial base.
Identifier Code
Call
Summary
The specific objective of this topic is to develop a multi-purpose/multi-role T-RPAS, for the potential use by units of mainly up to divisional size. It will collect tactical level intelligence (real-time target cinematics, terrain, enemy location and movements) with high-performance multi-sensor equipment, through ISR (ground, maritime and air) and targeting missions, in addition to other related tasks (target acquisition, identification, tracking).
Detailed Call Description
The new generation of T-RPAS should meet the need for an efficient payload while being equipped with low SWaP (Size, Weight and Power) vehicle management systems. The aircraft should also have increased endurance and range, in order to maximise its operational availability in a given Area of Interest (AoI).
One challenge is to unify the approach of the supporting Member States and EDF associated countries (Norway) for T-RPAS certification by applying standards widely used in this domain (e.g. NATO STANAG 4671) as well as processes for fixed-wings RPAS of more than 150kg.
The proposals must address:
- airworthiness type certification and relevant supporting actions for certifying T-RPAS under development that can carry, release and control small Unmanned Aircraft (UA)and/or weapons;
- development of technology blocks to improve the T-RPAS capabilities, notably a vehicle management system (VMS) and parts of mission management system (MMS), allowing T-RPAS effective operations, including in GNSS denied or contested environments, mission autonomy, and weapons engagement.
The unmanned nature of RPAS impacts the VMS and MMS architectures, the level of mission autonomy, as well as the envisioned weapons engagement capability, and requires demonstration and certification of a quantified level of safety, redundancy and accuracy, in line with the functional requirements.
Call Total Budget
Thematic Categories
- Information and Communication Technologies
- Justice - Security
- Other Thematic Category
- Research, Technological Development and Innovation
Eligibility for Participation
- Central Government
- Other Beneficiaries
- Private Bodies
- State-owned Enterprises
Eligibility For Participation Notes
Applications will only be considered eligible if their content corresponds wholly (or at least in part) to the topic description for which it is submitted.
Eligible participants (eligible countries) – In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must:
- be legal entities (public or private bodies)
- be established in one of the eligible countries, i.e.:
- EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories (OCTs)
- non-EU countries:
- listed EEA countries (‘EDF associated countries’, see list of participating countries)
- have their executive management structure established in eligible countries
- must not be subject to control by a non-associated third country or nonassociated third-country entity (unless they can provide guarantees – see Annex 2 – approved by the Member State or EDF associated country where they are established).
Associated partners which are not established in one of the eligible countries (or which are subject to control by a non-associated third country or non-associated third-country entity) may however participate exceptionally if certain conditions are fulfilled (not contravene EU and MS security and defence interests; consistent with EDF objectives; results not subject to control or restriction by non-associated third countries or non-associated third-country entities; no unauthorised access to classified information; no potential negative effects over security of supply of inputs which are critical for the project), subject to agreement by the granting authority and without any funding under the grant.
Consortium composition – For all topics under this call, proposals must be submitted by: minimum 3 independent applicants (beneficiaries; not affiliated entities) from 3 different eligible countries.
Call Opening Date
Call Closing Date
National Contact Point(s)
Ministry of Defense
172-174 Strovolos Avenue, 2048 Strovolos, Nicosia,
website: https://mod.gov.cy/
Telephone: 22 807500
Email: defence@mod.gov.cy
Department of Research and Innovation
Phones: 22 807755, 22 807754
Email: research.innovation@mod.gov.cy
EU Contact Point
European Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DEFIS): https://ec.europa.eu/info/departments/defence-industry-and-space_en
For help related to this call, please contact: DEFIS-EDF-PROPOSALS@ec.europa.eu