Drone-based affordable mass munitions

The main goal of this opportunity is to support the creation of a new generation of affordable mass munitions for ground combat indirect fire, focusing especially on loitering munitions and small Unmanned Combat Aerial Systems (UCAS). It aims to boost the range and precision of land-based strike capabilities, foster technological innovation, and help the European defense sector integrate battlefield lessons from Ukraine. The program encourages mass production, reduces reliance on non-EU suppliers, and promotes the participation of smaller organizations in defense innovation. Eligible applicants are those based in the EU, EDF Associated Countries, and Ukraine.

• Projects must focus on studying, designing, developing, prototyping, and testing new affordable mass munitions for ground combat indirect fire.
• Activities can include feasibility studies, design, prototyping, testing, qualification, and certification.
• Proposals should not address fully autonomous weapon systems.
• Projects must integrate innovative approaches, including lessons learned from the Ukrainian battlefield.
• Involvement of smaller actors like SMEs and start-ups is encouraged, especially through Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP).

Examples:

• Developing and testing a new loitering munition prototype that incorporates feedback from recent European battlefield experiences.
• Designing a small UCAS system with improved range and precision for indirect fire support, involving a start-up as a technology provider.
• Conducting a feasibility study on mass production techniques for affordable drone-based munitions, with the active participation of an SME.

• Feasibility studies
• Preliminary and detailed design activities
• Creation of prototypes
• Testing of prototypes in industrial or representative environments
• Qualification of defence products, components, or technologies
• Certification processes
• Activities supporting demonstration of knowledge, technologies, and products
• Financial support to third parties (FSTP) for innovation and involvement in the defence community

Restrictions: FSTP funding is limited to EUR 60,000 per entity for up to 6 months. Fully autonomous weapon systems are not eligible.

• Budget for this grant: 49,000,000€

• Applicants must be established in the EU, an EDF Associated Country, or Ukraine.
• Applicants must meet financial and operational capacity requirements.
• Applicants must not be subject to exclusion conditions.
• Projects must not cover fully autonomous weapon systems.
• Consortiums are required to involve smaller actors such as SMEs or start-ups, especially through FSTP.
• Applicants must be able to organize and manage calls for third parties as part of the project.
• Applicants must be able to clearly define and manage the expected contributions from both main beneficiaries and FSTP recipients.