Collaborative air combat

The main goal of this opportunity is to develop essential technologies and building blocks for collaborative air combat. It focuses on creating flexible, scalable, and interoperable solutions for future air warfare. Key areas include designing service-oriented architectures, improving interoperability between different warfare systems, and enabling secure data exchange. The scope also covers the development of scalable mission systems and the integration of new effectors such as remote carriers and advanced weapons. This opportunity targets projects in EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries, with requirements for compatibility with NATO standards and systems from non-EU partners.

• Projects must focus on developing or improving knowledge, products, or technologies in the defense sector, including disruptive technologies.
• Activities can include studies, design, system prototyping, testing, qualification, certification, and technology or asset development.
• Proposals must follow specific page limits and layout requirements described in the call document.
• Projects should enhance efficiency across the lifecycle of defense products and technologies.
• All proposals must meet the eligibility criteria detailed in the call document.

Examples:

• Designing and prototyping a new secure data exchange system for air combat missions.
• Developing and testing scalable mission systems that integrate remote carriers with piloted aircraft.
• Conducting studies and certification activities to ensure interoperability between EU and NATO air combat systems.

• Costs related to studies and research activities
• Design and engineering expenses
• System prototyping costs, including equipment
• Testing and evaluation expenses
• Qualification and certification activities
• Development of new technologies or assets
• Personnel costs for eligible activities
• Subcontracting costs for specialized tasks
• Travel and meeting expenses linked to the project

Restrictions: Some activities may be eligible if carried out in third-country locations under certain conditions. For full details, refer to the call document.

Budget for this grant: 49,000,000€

• Applicants must be from EU Member States or EDF Associated Countries.
• Projects must involve eligible activities in the defense sector, as defined in the call.
• Applicants must demonstrate both financial and operational capacity to carry out the project.
• Proposals must not fall under any exclusion criteria listed in the call document.
• Applications must comply with page limits and formatting rules described in the call.
• Projects may need to demonstrate compatibility or interoperability with NATO standards and systems of non-EU origin.
• Eligibility may require partnerships or networks, depending on the project scope.