Airbus Unveils Innovative R&D Initiatives under the European Defence Fund
Airbus has initiated two defence research and innovation initiatives that it is managing as part of the 2021 European Defence Fund (EDF). In July 2022, the European Commission selected eight collaborative projects among others, which include Airbus, encompassing various groundbreaking technology sectors. The EDF encourages collaboration between European enterprises and research organizations of varying sizes and geographic origins within the EU, bolstering Europe’s resilience and strategic independence.
Out of the 61 joint defence R&T and R&D initiatives funded with €1.2 billion, Airbus Defence and Space is spearheading the European Defence Operational Collaborative Cloud (EDOCC) project, while Airbus Helicopters is at the helm of the EU Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies Project (ENGRT). The agreements for these initiatives were finalized in December 2022.
EDOCC aims to develop a virtual platform that enhances the interoperability, efficiency, and robustness of military operations, thereby improving collaborative services on the battlefield. This initiative will examine, design, and conceptually validate the virtual platform and formulate the initial version of a services catalogue while identifying suitable standards and technologies for optimal performance and interoperability.
ENGRT will concentrate on evaluating and comprehending the requirements of European armed forces for rotorcraft operations extending beyond 2030. The project’s collaborators will investigate military rotorcraft operational concepts and delineate essential technologies necessary for future military rotorcraft. Alternative rotorcraft designs and frameworks will be investigated. This initiative will lay the foundation for the subsequent generation of military rotorcraft in Europe.
Airbus is also involved as a partner in six additional multinational EDF projects and will share its knowledge in the following research and development domains: Collaborative Air Combat Standardization; Enhanced Cockpit; European Protected Waveform for SatCom; Cyber Threat Intelligence; Advanced Radar Technologies; and Advanced Radio Frequency components.
The objective of the European Defence Fund is to invest €8 billion by 2027.
