Airbus coordinates four European Defence Fund R&D projects
In a significant advancement for European defense collaboration, Airbus has announced its coordination of four key research and development (R&D) projects under the European Union’s initiative to bolster defense capabilities. This follows the official signing of a grant agreement between the European Commission and respective consortia, which will unlock a total funding of EUR 40.7 million from the European Defense Fund (EDF), supplemented by contributions from EU Member States.
The EDF projects are part of the EU’s comprehensive strategy to safeguard its citizens against emerging threats. They aim to bolster innovative defense capabilities across critical sectors including naval, ground, air combat, space-based early warning, and cyber. The outcomes are intended to pave the way for the next generation of advanced technologies crucial for addressing contemporary and future conflicts.
Delivering on its 2022 work program, for which grant agreements have been recently executed, the European Commission is set to support a total of 41 collaborative R&D projects, backed by a budget of EUR 832 million. Airbus will play a pivotal role in ten of these initiatives, specifically coordinating the following four:
Single European Sky and InterOPerability (SESIOP) aims to enhance the efficiency and safety of European airspace by harmonizing Air Traffic Management (ATM) systems across member states, ultimately improving interactions between civilian and defense air traffic.
EUropean Cyber INFormation warfare toolbox (EUCINF) will arm European states with the necessary resources and strategies to combat cyber threats and misinformation, focusing on the development of technological infrastructures for threat detection and data protection.
Space based Persistent ISR for Defence and Europe Reinforcement (SPIDER) will conduct a feasibility study to create multi-mission satellite constellations dedicated to space-based Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, reinforcing Europe’s security landscape.
Future Air System for European Tactical Transportation (FASETT) will analyze technical and market possibilities for developing a new cost-effective and robust European airlifter, considering the transport aircraft needs of EU Member States for the 2030-2040 period.
Additionally, Airbus is involved as a partner in six more multinational EDF projects, including Technology Innovation for Radar European SYstem ApplicationS (TIRESYAS), Adapting Cyber Awareness for Evolving Computing Environments (NEWSROOM), Responsive European Architecture for Space (REACTS), multinational Development INitiative for a Space-based missilE earlYwarning architecture II (ODIN’S EYE II), ClOud iNtelligent explosiVe detectiOn sYstem (CONVOY), and FEDerated Ecosystem of euRopean simulation Assets for Training and dEcision Support (FEDERATES).
The European Defence Fund aims to allocate EUR 8 billion by 2027, with EUR 2.7 billion earmarked for collaborative defense research and EUR 5.3 billion dedicated to funding collaborative capability development projects, in addition to national contributions.
Airbus remains committed to enhancing the security of the EU and NATO through its various initiatives and eagerly anticipates the forthcoming unveiling of the European Defence Industrial Strategy.
Source: Airbus Defence and Space (2024-02-16)
