Pilot Projects and Preparatory Actions: Interoperability standards for military unmanned systems

This call (PADR-US-03-2019), which aims to improve the interoperability of unmanned military systems, is part of the Pilot Projects and Preparatory Actions programme.

Interoperability of defence systems is key for the ability of different forces to operate safely and effectively together in joint or combined operations. It can be challenging for the armed forces to achieve desired levels of interoperability. Interoperability relates on a technical level to the possibility of connecting or commonly using equipment and systems. This can be enhanced by e.g the use of open standards or joint architectures. But interoperability can also require interlocking processes and can even have implications on concepts of use and employment of systems.

The increased use of unmanned systems (UXS, in which “X” can stand for “A” (aerial), “S” (surface), “G” (ground) or “U” (underwater)) of modern forces in multi-national operations require multi-national interoperability, cross-domain interoperability, effectiveness, as well as adaptability of systems to mission and mission intensity, which may imply upgrade and adoption of novel payloads or maintaining and upgrading equipment at state-of the art or standardising the human-machine interaction.

Scope

Interoperability can exist at different levels. Proposals are invited on interoperability and standardisation of systems, subsystems, components and procedures of complex UXS platforms in a network-centric environment. Proposals may address, inter alia, issues such as: – interoperability and standardisation of systems, subsystems, components and procedures of complex UXS platforms in a network-centric environment:

• the coordinated use of multiple platforms, data link aspects (including standardised security) and standardisation of control stations to control several platforms simultaneously and to control inter-station handover;
• interoperability within the system: interoperability between subsystems and payloads within a system, with standard interfaces, allowing a plug-and-play connection, facilitating the installation of new payloads or the modification of existing payloads in the mission;
• standardisation of modules, interfaces and information formats to simplify the design of new ones and the updating of existing UXS;
• standardization of robotic hardware to allow the exchange of robotic elements in military applications;
  interoperability between UXS; manned systems and UXS; soldiers, manned systems and UXS;
• concepts of interoperability between military units using autonomous systems.

Expected impact

• convincing demonstration of EU-wide research cooperation in the field of defence research;
• promotion of intra-/inter-system interoperability for unmanned systems;
• increasing modularity and reducing life cycle costs of unmanned systems;
• improving the efficiency of military personnel and systems.

Deadline

28th of August, 2019

More information

Funding & tenders