Pilot Projects and Preparatory Actions: Emerging Game-changers

This call (PADR-FDDT-EMERGING-03-2019), which is aimed at developing technologies to anticipate possible disturbances in the field of defence, belongs to Pilot Projects and Preparatory Actions.

Scope

Proposals are sought for cutting-edge high-risk/high-reward research projects that aim to demonstrate a new technological paradigm within the scope of one or more of the following sub-topics. Applicants can submit proposals which are in scope of several sub-topics but are requested to indicate one sub-topic as the main scope of the proposed research activities.

1. Autonomous positioning, navigation and timing

Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) have a profound impact on military positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) services which however critically depend on reliable satellite signals. The availability of these signals cannot be assured under all conditions because operations can take place in GNSS denied/contested environments or because of the physical limitations of the current technology. A promising complementary device would be autonomous PNT sources that can be used without the need for position or timing updates. Relevant factors for considered solutions should be low drift, small scale, power-efficiency and integrability.

2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) for defence

The ambition of achieving Artificial Intelligence (AI) drives promising breakthrough technologies, expected to become significant in many fields in the area of defence. Their potential for the defence domain is huge, as AI solutions are expected to play an important role in critical fields such as cyber defence, C4ISR systems, intelligent and autonomous unmanned systems and swarms, electronic warfare, data fusion, logistics and maintenance optimization, information processing and intelligence analysis, mission planning and control, war gaming and training, which could radically accelerate the cycle of military operations and deeply influence the military practices. Proposals are invited for research activities that apply AI in defence technologies in any part of the military capability spectrum, including for cyber defence.

3. Quantum technologies for defence applications

The advancement of quantum technologies is expected to impact profoundly military operations. Quantum information processing, quantum communication, quantum key distribution and quantum sensing technologies will probably produce a paradigm shift in many fields, such as C4ISR, navigation, object and chemical detection etc. Research proposals in this subtopic should address areas in quantum technologies with clear military applications.

4. Long-range effects

The operational challenges and specificities of the modern military missions and the rapidly growing cost of use of the defence systems require radical solutions for cost-efficient long-range precision strike. The separate or combined use of electromagnetic railguns, guided ammunition and hypervelocity projectiles, among other things, has been proposed and explored with promising results. Proposals in this sub-area should feature research activities aimed towards solutions which would provide a disruptive change in the area of long-range fire support.

5. Augmenting soldier capacity

Soldiers have to operate in increasingly demanding and complex environments, performing different and multiple tasks. Soldiers’ equipment becomes increasingly heavier and more complex, adding to the challenge of accomplishing their missions in a better, faster and more efficient way. Potential solutions for augmenting the capacity of the soldiers to perform their tasks have been studied, ranging from the enhancement of their physical capacities by using exoskeletons and robotic systems, to applying augmented reality for increased situational awareness. Research in this area should propose solutions which would radically increase the capacity of the modern soldiers to perform physically demanding or mentally exhausting tasks.

Expected Impact:

• Scientific and technological contributions to the development of a new future technology with target applications in the area of defence;
• Potential for future social or economic impact or market creation;
• Building leading defence research and innovation capacity across Europe by involvement of key actors that can make a difference in the future, for example excellent young researchers, ambitious high-tech SMEs or visionary departments of big companies;
• Convincing demonstration of the potential of EU-funded research for defence applications.

Deadline

28th of August, 2019

More information

Funding & tenders