Defence`s Feeds

North Korean M1977 122 mm Self-Propelled Howitzer

Two research activities of the Pilot Project on defence research, SPIDER and EuroSWARM, financed by EU budget, were brought to a successful closure at their respective final meetings on the 20 and 21 February 2018. The last activity, TRAWA, is due to be completed by May 2018.

The Pilot Project aims at exploring how the European Union can support building defence capabilities relevant for the Common Security and Defence Policy and Member States. It was proposed by the European Parliament and launched by the European Commission in response to multiple political calls from EU institutions, Member States and NATO to improve Europe's defence capabilities. This objective is also enshrined in article 42 (3) of the Treaty on the European Union.

The Pilot Project had been entrusted to the European Defence Agency (EDA) by the European Commission through a Delegation Agreement, which was signed on 16 November 2015. The EDA proposed to the European Commission a list of topics, for the preparation of the work plan of the Pilot Project. The call for proposals, the submission of proposals, the evaluation and the awarding of the grant agreement were organised and coordinated by EDA. After the signature of the grant agreements, three research activities were launched, executed by the awarded consortia and monitored by EDA.

With a budget of 1.4 million euros from the European Union, the three research activities received a grant in the order of € 430.000 each. All projects were launched in November 2016, namely: EuroSWARM, SPIDER and TRAWA.

The successful outcome of the Pilot Project, as a predecessor to the Preparatory Action for Defence Research, is to be seen in proving the feasibility of defence research funding through the EU budget. The initial rationale and objectives of the Pilot Project, which along with the on-going Preparatory Action on Defence Research was set-up to pave the way for a fully-fledged European Defence Research Programme (EDRP) in the next Multi-Annual Financial Framework after 2020, have already been met. It has supported the demonstration that EU funding can effectively support EU defence research needs, based on a structured cooperation and joint work between the European Commission and the EDA. The successful handling of the Pilot Project by the European Commission and the EDA has been an excellent preparation for the Preparatory Action on Defence Research and a future EDRP.

Unmanned Heterogeneous Swarm of Sensor Platforms (EuroSWARM)

EuroSWARM aimed to test and demonstrate that efficient and effective operation of unmanned swarm systems can bring a profound impact to the military arena. The key focus was the minimisation of uncertainties in situational awareness information for surveillance operations through a swarm system of systems composed by static and mobile heterogeneous sensors.

The main objectives of the activity were to:

• develop key techniques for adaptive, informative and reconfigurable operations of unmanned heterogeneous swarm systems, namely: optimal task allocation and resource management, sensor fusion, cooperative guidance, robust sensor network;
• integrate the developed enabling techniques;
• validate the developed enabling techniques based on empirical simulation studies;
• demonstrate the proposed solutions based on a small scale of experiments.

EuroSWARM was carried out by a consortium led by the University of Cranfield (UK) which also included the French aerospace research agency ONERA (Office National d'Etudes et de Recherches Aérospatiales), the Swedish Defence Research Agency FOI and the University of Patras (Greece).

Inside Building Awareness and Navigation for Urban Warfare (SPIDER)

SPIDER aimed to develop an innovative system to support Urban-Warfare operations by providing improved situational awareness to operational forces entering an unfriendly building. It focused on the use of radiofrequency (RF) stationary sensors and mobile ground robots.

The main objectives of the activity were to:

• develop and analyse a framework comprising the use of multiple sensors to perform indoor mapping and human detection in an Urban Warfare context;
• consider the choice of a data fusion strategy to process and combine sensor data;
• explore the advantages and constraints of using each solution as well as solutions encompassing autonomous robots combined with static RF sensor networks.

SPIDER was carried out by a consortium led by TEKEVER, a Portuguese technology company, and composed of IT Aveiro - Instituto de Telecomunicações (Portugal), Aralia (UK) and the Bulgarian Defence Institute (BDI).

Standardisation of Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) Detect and Avoid (TRAWA)

The TRAWA activity, which is still ongoing, aims to contribute to the development of standards for a performant and affordable detect and avoid (DAA) system usable on-board Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). It is focused on the Remain Well Clear (RWC) function and contributes to the standardisation activities in cooperation with other international efforts in full alignment with EUROCAE WG 105 Terms of Reference.

The main objectives of the activity are to:

• specify Remain Well Clear in quantitative terms and obtain validation via simulations;
• specify sensor types, detection ranges and position estimation accuracy;
• develop requirements for remote pilot HMI (Human Machin Interface) characteristics.

TRAWA is carried out by a consortium led by the Netherlands Aerospace Center (NLR) with the following partners: the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, DLR), Deep Blue (Italy), Tony Henley Consulting (UK) and EuroUSC (Italy).

 

More information

• Project page on the Preparatory Action

To support the defence sector in accessing European funding, the EDA now provides industry, Ministries of Defence/Armed Forces, research-and-technology organisations, academia with a comprehensive European Funding Gateway for defence, encompassing:

• EDA ad-hoc schemes: both Cat.A and Cat.B;
• European Defence Fund (EDF): Preparatory Action (PADR) and forthcoming European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP);
• European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF), including the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), its 'Interreg' share and the European Social Fund (ESF);
• European Investment Bank (EIB)’s major project financing;
• EU COSME Programme: financial instruments and grants supporting access to markets;
• Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and its Single European Sky ATM Research-window (SESAR);
• Erasmus+: Learning mobility, Strategic Partnerships and Knowledge Alliances; 
• Horizon 2020 for dual-use projects: Thematic areas, SME instrument and financial instruments.

This interactive Gateway to European funding serves defence priorities under the Strategic Research Agendas in defence and their Technology Building Blocks (OSRA-TBBs), as well as Key Strategic Activities (KSA). It also supports EDA industry engagement.

All defence-related stakeholders can access a:

• comparative view per funding dimension to compare each relevant criterion one-by-one across the many funding opportunities; and
• detailed view per funding source to explore each specific European funding opportunity in detail.

The EDA’s European Funding Gateway is a result of the collaboration between EDA and several Institutions, including the European Commission (DG GROW, DG EMPL, DG EAC, DG RTD, DG REGIO) and the European Investment Bank Group.

 

North Korean M1975 130 mm Self-Propelled Gun

South African NTW-20 Anti-Material Rifle

Chinese Wanshan WS21200 Special Wheeled Chassis

Promoting women’s participation in CSDP missions and operations is important to sustain EU’s credibility, to improve effectiveness, to promote equality at home and abroad, to increase the talent pool for personnel, and to make the best use of our financial resources. More needs to be done by both member states and the EU to fulfil promises to implement the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.
Further information
Study: Women in CSDP missions
Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

Today, the European Centre for Manual Neutralisation Capabilities (ECMAN) was officially opened in Vienna.  The ceremony was attended by the Austrian Chief of Defence, General Othmar Commenda and high level representatives from the Ministries of Defence of the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Sweden, NATO accredited COEs (CIED, EOD, JCBRN Defence), German Federal and Local Criminal Police, the German CIED Information Centre, the Swedish CBRN Defence Centre, Swedish EOD and Demining Centre, the Italian CIED Centre, as well as military attaches in Austria and the European Defence Agency (EDA).

ECMAN is a follow-on activity of the EDA Programme on Manual Neutralisation Techniques Courses and Exercises (MNT C&E). Manual neutralisation techniques are the most advanced improvised device disposal proficiencies, which enable experienced and specially trained operators to access, diagnose, and manually dispose of hazardous material. These tactics, techniques and procedures need to be applied where the use of regular explosive ordnance procedures or of energetic weapons are inappropriate, and manual improvised explosive devices’ neutralisation capabilities are the last resort.

At the opening ceremony in Vienna a static demonstration of the equipment, including explanations of different scenarios, was provided. Additionally, during a live demonstration participants of the ceremony gained some insights into the skill sets of MNT operators. 

The aim of the Centre is to provide participating Member States with expertise and experience in the field of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) threats. It provides opportunities to enhance education and training, improve interoperability and capabilities, assists in doctrine and equipment development & testing and validates concepts through experimentation. ECMAN consists of permanent and non-permanent international staff from the participating Member States at the premises of the Logistic School in Vienna. 

The participating Member States are Austria, as the lead nation, as well as Germany, the Czech Republic, Finland, Ireland, Italy and Sweden.

 

More information

• C-IED project page
• Website Austrian Ministry of Defence (in German)

 

German Mercedes-Benz G-Class (Second Generation) Light Utility Vehicle

Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

Polish Kryl Truck-Mounted Howitzer

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) plans to indigenously develop an armed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar announced during a 15 February ceremony held to mark the induction into service of the Tsaigumi UAV. The Tsaigumi is “just a stepping stone to

Romania’s commitment to raise its defence budget to the NATO-stipulated target of 2% of GDP has led to the new Romanian government approving on 15 February the procurement of a number of previously requested US-sourced land systems – notably artillery rocket systems – as well as

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Saab has reported higher sales across all business units and a double digit rise in order bookings in 2017 on the back of what it described as “strong” interest in its products. The Swedish defence and security group reported sales of SEK31.4 billion (USD3.95 billion) for the year; 10%

US Marine Corps Commandant General Robert Neller has said he wants a stronger undersea force to ensure marine access to the shore. “I want more submarines,” Gen Neller said on 15 February during a speech at the Amphibious Warship Congressional Forum, sponsored by the Amphibious Warship

The US Air Force (USAF) released more weapons over Afghanistan last month than in any other January since 2011, according to US Air Forces Central Command (AFCENT). Recently released data show that USAF aircraft released a total of 321 weapons in January 2018 as part of Operation

With the increasing use of MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft and the advent of F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter deployments on US Navy (USN) large-deck amphibious assault ships, the US Marine Corps (USMC) sees a need for more advanced communications networks on the vessels. “We’re

The Argentine government has approved a purchase of 18 RBS 70NG anti-aircraft missile launchers, three simulators, and an undisclosed number of missiles, an Argentine Air Force source told Jane’s . The purchase, as well as some restorations for other anti-aircraft weapons – 25 mm and 30

US private equity fund Arlington Capital Partners has announced the acquisition of US intelligence and defence consultancy organisation Integrity Applications Inc. Terms of the transaction – announced on 16 February – were not disclosed. Arlington said that the company would be