High-altitude platform systems

Closed

Code: 13375 | Identifier Code: EDF-2021-C4ISR-D-HAPS | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 09/09/2021 | End submission calls: 09/12/2021

This topic has opened under the call ”ISR and advanced communications” (EDF-2021-C4ISR-D).

The proposals must aim to validate HAPS solutions, developing at least two different flight demonstrators of different kinds to test properly the operational and technical challenges of the different HAPS platform types, and as such making a substantial contribution to European Defence and Security applications.

Enhanced pilot environment for air combat

Closed

Code: 13371 | Identifier Code: EDF-2021-AIR-D-EPE | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 09/09/2021 | End submission calls: 09/12/2021

This topic has opened under the call ”Avionics and advanced air combat” (EDF-2021-AIR-D).

The improvement in the performance of effectors and platforms and the networking of more and more various systems in an increasingly collaborative combat mode result in a greater diversity and a greater amount of information to deal with, while requiring an even higher pilot’s responsiveness. The objective is therefore to improve the gender-neutral cockpit environment and to provide the pilot of next generation air combat systems with enhanced tools and avionics in order to keep the pilot efficiently focused on the mission to be carried out, e.g. through AI based pilot support, integrated sensor management, path finding technology or manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) enhanced features.

Robust defence multi-dimensional communications

Closed

Code: 13367 | Identifier Code: EDF-2021-C4ISR-D-COMS | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 09/09/2021 | End submission calls: 09/12/2021

This topic has opened under the call ”ISR and advanced communications” (EDF-2021-C4ISR-D).

This topic addresses design and development activities in that respect, using commercial and military secure hardware, software and architecture, including LTE 5G and beyond, digital transceivers, considering multi-functional digital antenna systems, all with a SWAP-C (Size, Weight, Power and Cost) approach.
The specific challenge of this topic is to assess identified use cases, whereby 5G will bring improved operational capacities and build corresponding interoperable 5G solutions matching the military constraints in terms of robustness, resilience, security, sovereignty and manageability, and at the same time ensuring efficient interoperability of the 5G solutions with military networking technologies.

Non-line-of-sight optical sensors applications

Closed

Code: 13364 | Identifier Code: EDF-2021-DIS-RDIS-NLOS | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 09/09/2021 | End submission calls: 09/12/2021

This topic was opened in the framework of the call “Research on naughty technologies for defense applications” (EDF-2021-DIS-RDIS).

This theme aims to stimulate the development of new quantum detection devices, laser technologies and computational algorithms, such as geometric reconstruction and artificial intelligence, as to enable discovery in visual sense and state awareness. Thus, reconstruction and artificial intelligence could be explored in order to expand the range of perception of the forces and thus increase their survival and supremacy on the battlefield.
NLOS applications can extend the perception range of optical sensors to areas where direct projection is hidden while maintaining high spatial optical resolution.

Over-the-horizon radars applications

Closed

Code: 13362 | Identifier Code: EDF-2021-DIS-RDIS-OTHR | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 09/09/2021 | End submission calls: 09/12/2021

This topic has opened under the call ”Research for disruptive technologies for defence applications” (EDF-2021-DIS-RDIS).

This topic addresses the technologies for an EU OTH radar network concept offering deep collaborative strategic surveillance and data sharing. In this regard, both HF Surface- and Sky- Wave radar technologies, possibly in combination with higher frequency sensors, should be explored regarding their respective advantages in terms of covered area in long ranges and gap filler.

New materials and technologies for additive manufactured defence applications

Closed

Code: 13354 | Identifier Code: EDF-2021-DIS-RDIS-AMD | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 09/09/2021 | End submission calls: 09/12/2021

This topic has opened under the call ”Research for disruptive technologies for defence applications” (EDF-2021-DIS-RDIS).

Research activities under this topic could include but are not limited to identification and analysis of material properties, such as (super)alloys or concrete composites, full functional 3D printed electrified structures, new technologies to further improve military propulsion, AM parts or structures for an improved protection of soldiers and equipment, specialized AM-materials for function and structure in next-gen ammunition and missiles or AM technologies for ballistic functional structures as well as new approaches to lightweight applications.

European interoperability standard for collaborative air combat

Closed

Code: 13351 | Identifier Code: EDF-2021-AIR-D-CAC | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 09/09/2021 | End submission calls: 09/12/2021

This topic has opened under the call ”Avionics and advanced air combat” (EDF-2021-AIR-D).

European air forces are built on a wide variety of heterogeneous systems, thus leading to the challenge of interoperability at the functional, software and hardware levels. The objective is to develop jointly a European perspective enabling the member states to address with a middle to long-term perspective collaborative air warfare, through a common European standard that must be compliant with ongoing activities in Europe in that respect and with NATO too.

Future modular ground vehicles and enabling technologies, including green technologies

Closed

Code: 13349 | Identifier Code: EDF-2021-GROUND-D-FMGV | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 09/09/2021 | End submission calls: 09/12/2021

This topic has opened under the call ”Fleet upgrade and close combat” (EDF-2021-GROUND-D).

The evolving operational environment requires the development of next generation and the modernisation of current armoured platforms with improved robustness, agility, versatility and interoperability. Moreover, future land vehicles will require the ability to operate in adverse conditions, in digitised battlefield and network centric environments, and to obtain scalable effects, while ensuring efficient maintainability and support, high level of operational readiness and optimized life cycle cost. This topic addresses mainly technologies enhancing the mobility performance of ground platforms, making them more capable, modular and energy-efficient.

Unmanned ground vehicle technologies

Closed

Code: 13347 | Identifier Code: EDF-2021-GROUND-D-UGVT | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 09/09/2021 | End submission calls: 09/12/2021

This topic has opened under the call ”Fleet upgrade and close combat” (EDF-2021-GROUND-D).
There are significant cooperation opportunities in the Union regarding unmanned systems, which could be based on a shared operational concept and the resulting harmonisation of requirements. Moreover, the CDP analysis identifies the need to deploy unmanned systems to reduce the danger to human personnel and manned platforms, as well as to increase robustness, sustainability and resilience of ground systems. A comprehensive set of unmanned systems should contribute to the capability of land manoeuvre in the joint operational environment to gain positional advantage in respect to the adversary.
Purely unmanned tracked vehicles as funded under EDIDP will be not considered under this topic.

 

BLOS collaborative close combat architecture

Closed

Code: 13336 | Identifier Code: EDF-2021-GROUND-D-3CA | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 09/09/2021 | End submission calls: 09/12/2021

This topic has opened under the call ”Fleet upgrade and close combat” (EDF-2021-GROUND-D).

The availability of mobile precision systems able to provide the necessary high degree of accuracy and efficiency, avoiding widespread collateral damage, and reducing exposure of friendly forces is a priority for Member States’ armed forces. In the context of this topic some requirements are becoming increasingly important, e.g. to provide the land and naval combat units with the ability to defeat at medium and long ranges, and with a very high degree of accuracy and reliability. In order to meet these requirements, research activities on a Beyond Line Of Sight (BLOS) collaborative close combat architecture are required.

Alternative propulsion and energy systems for next generation air combat systems

Closed

Code: 13323 | Identifier Code: EDF-2021-ENERENV-D-PES | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 09/09/2021 | End submission calls: 09/12/2021

This topic has opened under the call ”Energy efficiency and energy management” (EDF-2021-ENERENV-D).

This topic aim at efficient sub and supersonic enhanced propulsion systems combined with a more efficient on-board energy management system coming mainly from the conversion of fuel energy by the engine into propulsion, power, compressed air, etc. within an optimized thrust and power integrated system, which are key for next generation air combat systems, and which are likely to require more propulsive and non-propulsive energies.

Advanced RF components

Closed

Code: 13302 | Identifier Code: EDF-2021-MATCOMP-R-RF | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 09/09/2021 | End submission calls: 09/12/2021

This topic has opened under the call ”Advanced materials and structures, and critical electronics” (EDF-2021-MATCOMP-R).

This calls aims at strengthening the supply chain for leading-edge radio-frequency defence applications. It builds on a rich legacy of R&D projects performed over the last decades in national, EDA and EU activities.
There are two key aspects for the building of a GaN supply chain for defence applications in Europe, both of which have been developed in parallel through the aforementioned projects. Following those two work strands, proposals should address firstly, the need to secure supply of epitaxial wafers with GaN-HEMT structures and the development of an improved GaN manufacturing process.

Materials and structures for enhanced protection in hostile environments

Closed

Code: 13297 | Identifier Code: EDF-2021-MATCOMP-R-PHE | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 09/09/2021 | End submission calls: 09/12/2021

This topic has opened under the call ”Advanced materials and structures, and critical electronics” (EDF-2021-MATCOMP-R).

This topic aims to improve the performance of protective materials against ballistic and novel threats in different military applications. The funded project should address aspects related to characterization and testing of new and aged materials and prepare a platform to test the outcome of current and future projects (funded by national, EDA Cat. B, PADR, EDF but also other R&D programmes) in terms of performance and improved functionality.

Development of innovative and future-oriented defence solutions

Closed

Code: 13292 | Identifier Code: EDF-2021-OPEN-D-SME | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 09/09/2021 | End submission calls: 09/12/2021

This topic has opened under the call ”Open call dedicated to SMEs for development of innovative and future-oriented defence solutions” (EDF-2021-OPEN-D).

The proposals must address innovative defence products, solutions and technologies, including those that can improve readiness, deployability and sustainability of EU forces in all spectrum of tasks and missions, for example in terms of operations, equipment, basing, energy solutions, new surveillance systems.

Ship Structural Health Monitoring

Closed

Code: 13286 | Identifier Code: EDF-2021-NAVAL-R-SSHM | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 09/09/2021 | End submission calls: 09/12/2021

This topic has opened under the call  ”Smart ships” (EDF-2021-NAVAL-R).

The objective is rerlated with the researching on structural health monitoring techniques and their integration in an expert system specific for naval vessels.
The proposals must aim to obtain improved naval vessels’ operational capability through research on advancing the utilization of data from the state of the art, and/or innovatively improve the hull ship structural health monitoring systems, using modern data science tools, such as machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), digital twin models or other.

Digital ship and ship digital architecture

Closed

Code: 13282 | Identifier Code: EDF-2021-NAVAL-R-DSSDA | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 09/09/2021 | End submission calls: 09/12/2021

This topic has opened under the call  ”Smart ships” (EDF-2021-NAVAL-R).

The proposals must aim at obtaining higher degrees of automation in ship and combat systems using big data analysis, data fusion, Artificial Intelligence (AI), including machine learning and multi-agent technology and other technologies to obtain higher speed in the OODA loop, including digital twinning. This objective will be achieved through the definition of a data-centric digital architecture and shared data/interface standards, allowing for new services.

Improved warheads

Closed

Code: 13271 | Identifier Code: EDF-2021-GROUND-R-IW | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 09/09/2021 | End submission calls: 09/12/2021

This topic has opened under the call Precision Strike Capabilities (EDF-2021-GROUND-R).

Defeating improved protection systems of main combat platforms, hardened targets and reinforced (critical) infrastructures remains a focal challenge for military operations. Enhanced effects on targets, like blast, perforation, penetration, shock, bubble effects or electromagnetic pulse, are required to defeat such advanced protection systems. In this way, the development of new types of warheads with higher performance is required. Activities should cover the research on an enhanced penetration performance.

Next generation rotorcraft technologies

Closed

Code: 13267 | Identifier Code: EDF-2021-AIR-R-NGRT | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 09/09/2021 | End submission calls: 09/12/2021

This topic has opened under the call ”Next generation vertical take-off and landing systems” (EDF-2021-AIR-R).
The scope of this topic concerns research on future technologies and the future operating environment (FOE) and future operating concepts (FOC) of military vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) systems.

Improving cyber defence and incident management with artificial intelligence

Closed

Code: 13265 | Identifier Code: EDF-2021-CYBER-R-CDAI | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 09/09/2021 | End submission calls: 09/12/2021

This topic that has opened under the call ”Cyber threat intelligence and improved cyber operational capabilities” (EDF-2021-CYBER-R).

Addressing the challenges identified under the topic will require inter- and multidisciplinary approaches, where teams conduct work of both a technical and a non-technical nature. Analysis of technical, tactical, operational, strategic and political considerations are required.

Frugal learning for rapid adaptation of AI systems

Closed

Code: 13258 | Identifier Code: EDF-2021-DIGIT-R-FL | Programme name: 3564 | Start submission calls: 09/09/2021 | End submission calls: 09/12/2021

This topic has opened under the call ”Artificial intelligence” (EDF-2021-DIGIT-R).

 The aim of this topic is to tackle the problem of robustness and frugality in military AI software components to facilitate the development of new systems and their adaptation to the evolution of their environment, including from user supervision, for a reasonable cost, with minimal intervention from expert developers, and without regression. State-of-the-art research on transfer learning, zero- or few-shot learning, active learning, domain adaptation, hybrid AI and other relevant topics should be leveraged to propose new methods to improve AI-based methods, while preserving high performance. The proposals must cover activities that aim to create, underpin and improve knowledge, products and technologies, including disruptive technologies for defence, which can achieve significant effects in the area of defence.