EDA News

The CCNS (Corrosion Control for Navy Ships) project, which ran from 2013-2016 in the EDA framework, involved major European industrial stakeholders, top-rated European research institutes, specialised entreprises and also academic organisations. It successfully tested and identified solutions with high potential, which also triggered numerous scientific publications. 

Increasing military requirements combined with environmental regulations, such as REACH, lead to critical situations in the sense that they put at risk the operational availability and running costs of Navy ships in terms of corrosion and surface protection. In addition, there is a requirement to extend repair intervals to 6-10 years in order to reduce maintenance levels and related costs, to maintain  ship security and to comply with environmental regulations. The consequences of these requirements and regulations are various and have types a serious impact on potential risks, unsuitability and/or suppression of existing technical solutions.

In this context, the aim of the project was to consider new approaches and solutions for defining in particular the adapted conditions based maintenance. In order to achieve this, the vast Corrosion Control of Navy Ships (CCNS) study was undertaken between 2013 and 2016 to establish the critical areas within Corrosion Control Technology.

Through its extensive tests, the project produced very positive results in the field of sensors and fouling treatment. One sensor, which is now commercialised, offers a promising solution for on-board applications. Interesting results for new faster accelerated aging tests have also been obtained, showing the relevance to real in-service degradation of coatings and corrosion.

The study revelead that the process of data collection is especially challenging in terms of measuring on-board currents. A database including relevant and usable data for modeling of cathodic protection was created. Collection and integration of such data into an improved numerical model will help optimise the systems used by navies of all participating countries.

The project was managed and funded by France (DGA), Germany (WiWEB), Italy (Marina Difensa) and UK (DSTL) in the frame of the European Defence Agency, and carried out by Institut de la Corrosion (Project leader, France) DCNS research (France), Centro Sviluppo Materiali (Italy), CNR-ISMAR (Italy), BAE Systems (UK), University of Southampton (UK) and AISH technologies (UK) with contribution from DGA (France), BWA WIWeB and BWB WTD 71 (Germany).
 

• CCNS - Article EDA 
• About Capability Technology Areas and R&T in EDA 
• R&T Brochure – EDA Role in Research and Technology
• For further information, please contact: CapTech.Materials@eda.europa.eu

A collaborative research project on ‘Hybrid Manned Unmanned Platooning (Hy-MUP)’ has just been successfully completed at the European Defence Agency (EDA). The main aim was to prove that it is feasible to coordinate and operate unmanned ground systems together with regular manned vehicles in future mounted combat missions. It also helped the military community to become familiar with heavy unmanned ground vehicles.

The Hy-MUP project was funded by the two contributing Member States - France and Germany - and carried out by a consortium consisting of ECA Robotics and Thales Optronique SAS for France as well as Diehl BGT Defence and Rheinmetall Landsysteme for Germany. The Hy-MUP project was in fact a continuation of a previous project on ‘Semi-Autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicle (SAM-UGV)’ conducted by the same consortium. Both projects were hosted in the EDA CapTech Ground Systems (Land).

The project’s objectives were to: (i) prove the feasibility of the operation of unmanned ground systems in coordination with regular manned vehicles in future mounted combat missions by analysing and defining use-cases for platooning, (ii) identify the high safety requirements and (iii) develop a demonstrator of a hybrid fleet (manned and unmanned vehicles) to be deployed in convoy reconnaissance and/or surveillance (platooning) missions with a mobile Control and Command Vehicle (CCV) manned driven and an mobile robotized vehicle which can either be tele-operated by an operator from the Control Station installed in the CCV or configured to follow a Leader Vehicle autonomously.

In addition to that, from the military perspective, another project goal was to help the military community to become familiar with heavy unmanned ground vehicles by progressively introducing heavy robotics in the Armed Forces.

For the practical part of the project, various case scenarios for using mixed platoons of manned and unmanned vehicles were defined and demonstrated. The Control Station and the communication unit were installed in a Control and Command Vehicle lent by the French MoD. A 4x4 wheels drive civilian vehicle (ISUZU D-MAX) was then equipped with a Drive by Wire capability (including a Drive By Wire (DBW) kit from Paravan and a Robotic kit updated from the SAM-UGV project), several sensors enabling autonomous motion by using ‘Leader Following’ facilities. An additional communication unit enables tele-operation via control station.

Two different ‘Leader Following’ functionalities were implemented and evaluated during trials with various Leader Vehicles, various weather conditions and various environments:

• The first Leader Following functionality runs two algorithms in parallel: (i) one uses the centre vision camera and (ii) the other uses the information coming from a Velodyne - 3D LiDAR sensor. In case one of the algorithms loses the leader, the other can reinitialize the connection of the first one.
• The second Leader Following functionality combines the data coming from an algorithm using vision camera mounted on Hy-MUP robotized platform and a sign panel installed at the rear of the Leader Vehicle, on one hand, and an algorithm using information from a Velodyne - 3D LiDAR sensor, on the other hand.

An ‘Obstacle Avoidance’ function which, in real operations, is required to avoid intruders or collisions (with pedestrian or vehicles) was also tested but could not be fully evaluated during the trials due to project constraints.

The Hy-MUP project developed the so-called ‘Hy-MUP system’: it consists of an integrated demonstrator with a Control Station (installed in a manned vehicle of the convoy) and a robotized platform. Teleoperation and autonomous Vehicle Following are available from a moving Control Station. Obstacle Avoidance will have to be further integrated and evaluated.

Even though the Hy-MUP system is not yet fully completed and validated, it nevertheless already demonstrated the benefits and importance of manned/unmanned vehicle convoy capabilities in military operations.

EDA’s continued outreach to industry,  which aims to enhance defence industry interaction and cooperation on defence related REACH issues, took another productive step forward on January 25th. The EDA, the EDA REACH Task Force (comprised of Member States REACH experts) and defence industry representatives gathered to exchange views on the topic of Ammunition Classification under REACH. Discussions focused on specific complex ammunition categories, such as smoke ammunition, and benefited from industry’s substantial experience and past work in this field.

 The meeting was hosted by Nexter Munitions at their industrial facilities in Bourges, France. The agenda for the day included live demonstrations and controlled use of selected types of ammunitions at Nexter Munitions’ testing facilities, providing an in-depth insight into the design of ammunitions as well as the functioning and operating principles of explosives and propellants. 

The discussions helped in establishing a common understanding between governmental and industrial experts on the complexities of specific categories of ammunition and in identifying important factors for their classification under REACH, providing a solid basis for further EDA work in this area.  Representatives from  Nexter Munitions, Aerospace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD), Etienne Lacroix Group, Rheinmetall Waffe Munition and BAE Systems Land also participated in the meeting.

The following day (26 January 2017), the EDA REACH Task Force discussions continued in a Member States only format, at the French Ministry of Defence Training Centre in Bourges, where various types of munitions mock-ups were made available, in view of further elaboration on the design and function of specific categories of ammunition. 

EDA’s work on Ammunition Classification under REACH, aims to build a common understanding of the regulatory provisions and to exchange best practices. An overall list of ammunition types used by Member States (MoDs) together with an assessment of the classification of each type under REACH, using prior related guidance by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) as reference, is currently under examination. 

The targeted outcome of this project is to establish a potential Member States’ common position, which could also serve as a supportive reference for the defence industry (ammunition manufacturers), as well as the Commission and ECHA, when classifying specific ammunition categories under REACH, in the future.
 

• EDA REACH Project page
• EDA Study on Impact of REACH and CLP Regulations on the Defence Sector

A new EDA project aimed at understanding the different forces influencing innovation has just been launched. This initiative represents a first try to identify ways and means by which innovation activities could be more systematically managed in order to create additional value for the Agency and its stakeholders.

Fostering innovation is key in strengthening Europe’s defence capabilities as it has been clearly stated in the new EU Global Strategy (EUGS) and its implementation plan as well as in the European Commission’s European Defence Action Plan which emphasises the multidimensional role of innovation in defence.

In this context, innovation can be perceived as the creation and application of new products, services and processes. This includes the creation of a new technology, product, process or service, as well as the application of existing technology to a different problem or domain.

By introducing innovative technologies developed in other domains, both the initial investment risk and the time from ideation to military capability are minimized. Nevertheless, innovation is not only focused on the creation of new concepts. It also focuses on the value that the new concept will create for end-users. In this regard, innovation in the defence sector should aim at enhancing military capability.

The new project takes the form of two studies to be carried out by RAND Europe and Indra Systemas S.A respectively and dealing with different aspects of innovation. The project’s objectives are the following:

• Analysis of the current defence research innovation strategies and identification of best practice in terms of organisational structures, supporting policies and incentives for research innovation management
• Analysis of stakeholders, environment, specific defence requirements related to innovation and identification of appropriate organizational structures applicable to defence
• Identification of candidate technologies for innovation injection and preparation of scenarios for a follow on proof of concept
• Identification of innovation management methods and state-of-the-art practices, such as design thinking and transfer of knowledge to be used within the EDA’s research and innovation communities.

The kick-off meetings of both studies, which took place on 16th and 20th of January respectively, set the ground for a very promising project. The working teams have already discussed in depth the transformation of the objectives into tangible outcomes for the Member States in support to the European efforts of fostering innovation in defence.

The envisaged outputs will help EDA to provide better support to the innovation activities of Member States as well as those innovation actions foreseen under the Preparatory Action for Defence Research and the future European Defence Research Programme.

The kick-off meeting was attended by EDA and staff from the aforementioned contractors. The project is led by Dr. Panagiotis Kikiras Head of Unit Innovative Research.

Speaking before the Security and Defence (SEDE) subcommittee of the European Parliament on 25 January, Denis Roger, the EDA’s Director for European Synergies and Innovation (ESI), hailed the good and effective cooperation between the European Commission and the European Defence Agency on preparing the upcoming Preparatory Action (PA) on defence research which is close to its official launch. “The EDA now stands ready to sign a new Delegation Agreement with the Commission relating to the PA and building on the positive experience of the Pilot Project”, he said. Philippe Brunet, the Commission’s Director for Space Policy and Defence within DG GROW, who also participated in the SEDE debate, indicated that the delegation agreement should be signed quickly, if possible in March 2017.

Mr Roger recalled the importance of the Pilot Project (PP) on defence research which is currently being implemented through a delegation agreement signed in November 2015 between the Commission and the EDA, has proved a great opportunity to test the interface between the Commission and the EDA in the implementation of a centrally-funded defence research scheme at EU level.

Several ‘lessons learned’ from the PP are being applied in the preparation for the PA, for instance the need to have some more innovative and adapted to defence specificities Intellectual Property Rules (IPR) or to have a wider pool of evaluation experts available. “For the Preparatory Action, the basic rule should be to draw the lessons already learnt from the Pilot Project, to keep the way of working when it demonstrated to be satisfactory and to improve what needs to be improved, while adapting to the increased scale”, Mr Roger said. In particular, he referred to the key ‘upstream role’ the EDA has in consulting all stakeholders (government, industry and RTOs) about key research priorities and consolidating them with Member States. He also mentioned the execution and exploitation (‘downstream’) roles the Agency played in the PP and which it would also have to play in the PA implementation.

Mr Roger stressed the need to make sure that collaborative defence research undertaken under the Preparatory Action will be linked to priority military capability needs of Member States: “I must insist on this point, which is a key specificity of Defence Research. Since the market is a monopsony, the only buyer being the Ministries of Defence, it is absolutely essential to make sure that the technical requirements of the projects match the future Capability needs defined by Member States and reflected in the Capability Development Plan endorsed at the level of the Ministers of Defence”. “In accordance with article 45 of the Treaty on the European Union, EDA has a key role to play in guaranteeing this consistency between Capability and Research priorities”, he stated.

Implementing the PA means that the EDA will also have to adapt its own structures because compared to managing a relatively small Pilot Project (three projects with a total budget of €1.4 million), the task of managing a substantially bigger Preparatory Action (€90 million budget over three years with probably more than a dozen projects in total) will be much more of a challenge.

That’s why the EDA has already set up a dedicated PA Unit in order to manage EDA’s ‘upstream role’ and its forthcoming implementation role. It already includes four people and additional growth is anticipated once the delegation agreement is signed. The first short term task of that new unit will be the practical implementation of the Preparatory Action Work Programme: launch of the calls, organisation of the evaluation and signing of the grant agreements. “But we also need to have a longer term vision: a key success indicator of the preparatory Action will be the usefulness of the results for Member States’ future Capability Development Programmes”, Mr Roger said.

EDA’s existing structures (CapTechs, Project Teams, Working Groups) will contribute to make sure that the PA results are fully taken into account and to promote follow-on projects and programmes.
The PA unit could also have a key role, in permanent coordination with the European Commission, to draw, in real time, the lessons learnt from the Preparatory Action that can benefit to the setting up of a potential wider future European Defence Research Programme (EDRP) after 2020.

• Full speech of Roger Denis at SEDE committee (25 January 2017)
• Preparatory Action on defence research (EDA factsheet)
• First EU Pilot Project in the field of defence research sees grant agreements signed for €1.4 million

A study by EDA has concluded that considering the complexity of defence supply chains and long lifecycles of military equipment, REACH (and associated CLP) regulation, as they stand now, may impact the actual operability of Member States’ Armed Forces.

 EDA outsourced a dedicated study to examine what impact the EU’s regulations on Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) and on the Classification, Labelling and Packaging of chemical substances and mixtures (CLP) have had on the European defence sector (governments and industry) since they entered into force in 2007 and 2009 respectively. Further to assessing the impact of REACH (and associated CLP) regulation on defence, the study aimed to develop recommendations for further improvement of REACH regulation and its current implementation regime.

The basis for the study, which was finalised in December 2016, aimed for a win-win solution achieving two principle goals: a high level of health and environmental protection, as well as ensuring the operational effectiveness of Member States’ Armed Forces and enhancing the competitiveness and innovation of the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base.

The study’s consultation facilitated input from a wide range of European defence stakeholders including, in particular, the EDA Member States’ Ministries of Defence (MoD), European Commission, European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), Member States’ Competent Authorities on REACH and CLP and  the defence industry.

The main conclusions propose several improvements and related actions for stakeholders, broadly grouped into the three main areas:

• More time and resources (for innovative substitution of Substances of Very High Concern);
• Consistency of REACH, other EU laws and policies; 
• EU-level solutions for defence under REACH. 

EDA has informed the competent stakeholders (Member States’ MoDs, European Commission, ECHA and the defence industry) on the outcome of the study and is now in the process to further liaise with them, and to support further examination and implementation of the study proposals. 

The study recommendations addressed to the Commission also serve as EDA input to the upcoming Commission review of the REACH regulation in 2017. 
 

• EDA REACH and CLP Study Final Report
• REACH - EDA project page

Rini Goos, EDA’s Deputy Chief Executive, today addressed Austrian security and defence stakeholders at a seminar in Vienna on EU funding opportunities for defence research (R&T) projects. The event was jointly organised by the EDA, the Austrian Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) with the support of the Austrian Defence & Security Industry (ASW).

Around 80 representatives from the Austrian MoD, the Federal Economic Chamber, the security and defence industry, business associations, defence-related research and technology organisations as well as universities participated in the seminar which included awareness raising and in-depth know-how building sessions.

The seminar showed in concrete terms how to access funding and other instruments available within three European Union funding programmes, i.e. COSME (EU Programme for COmpetitiveness of SMEs), the Structural Funds and the Preparatory Action for Defence Research (PADR).

In his opening speech, Rini Goos said: "We take further legitimation and momentum from a ‘window of opportunities’ opened by the 2016 EU Global Strategy of the High Representative of the Union Ms Mogherini (who is also Vice-President of the European Commission and Head of the EDA), and strengthened by the European Defence Action Plan [EDAP] released by the European Commission. The Global Strategy clearly stated that Union funds - to support defence research and technologies and multinational cooperation - are essential prerequisites for European security and defence efforts, underpinned by a strong European defence industry”.

This seminar was the first delivered by EDA since the EDAP proposed that Structural Funds may fund the defence sector. It was also the first EDA’s seminar in a Member State addressing the forthcoming funding opportunities under the Preparatory Action for Defence Research.

The EDA, the European Commission, the Ministry of Defence and Sports, the Research Promotion Agency (FFG) and the Austrian Conference on Spatial Planning (ÖROK - as national authority in charge of Structural Funds deployment in Austria) delivered effective presentations about EU funding available for the defence sector currently and in the future.

Under the COSME section of the seminar, a particular focus was put on the Enterprise Europe Network’s local free services. Additionally, more than 40 Austrian project managers have been trained to apply for the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF, the main among the European Investment and Structural Funds) during a dedicated practical coaching session simulating the application process.

The seminar raised interest across all attending stakeholders who were able to establish promising contacts in view of an effective follow-up aimed at accessing EU funding opportunities.

Taking into account the increasing opportunities arising from the recent statement in the European Defence Action Plan (EDAP) that Structural Funds may be used to fund the defence sector, different stakeholders have been very keen to exchange views with Mr Goos and EDA’s experts on how to take advantage of EDA’s related work in close cooperation with the Austrian Ministry of Defence and Sport.

• Access to EU funding (EDA project page)
• Dual-use research (EDA project page)
• Successful seminar on EU funding opportunities in Spain (EDA news)
• 3 out of 3: another EDA supported dual-use R&T project is awarded ESIF funding (EDA News)
• Polish dual-use R&T project co-funded by ESIF (EDA news)
• New funding opportunity for dual-use research

Last week (15-20 January), an EDA workshop aimed at training operators and technicians in the daily use of Maritime Surveillance (MARSUR) capabilities was held at the HQ of operation SOPHIA in Rome.

The humanitarian crisis resulting from migration via the Mediterranean has led to EU Member States launching a response. So far there are five Naval Operations led by military and civilian entities as well as numerous operations run by Non-Governmental Organisations. While the focus and the aim of military operations such as the NATO-led Ocean Shield and the EU NAVFORMED Operation SOPHIA may differ, one element is vital to all naval operations: Maritime Situational Awareness.
Naval Forces the world over are striving to establish what is called a recognized maritime picture. In basic terms that means finding out exactly what is happening in any given operational area at sea, including whether ships (‘contacts’ in naval terms) are transiting the area or working within it.

Maritime Situational Awareness also includes knowledge about events taking place in and around a maritime area. Current operations in the Mediterranean have underlined the need to include both military and civilian information to get a full picture. There are many different military and civilians systems around – all of which need to be compiled, verified and analysed – so a significant challenge lies in bringing the relevant information together.

To this end, the European Defence Agency (EDA) helped to design an interface acting as a system of systems to support CSDP operations such as the EU NAVFORMED Operation SOPHIA. It does this by enabling maritime headquarters to exchange data and information with other networks through various services such as chat, email, tactical drawing, video recordings and track streaming. The SOPHIA Operational Headquarters was connected to the MARSUR Networking Community which encompasses 17 EU Member States plus Norway.

To enhance the input of information, EDA has sponsored and designed a complex workshop which trains operators and technicians in the daily use of the MARSUR capability. This training took place from 15-20 Jan 2017 in Rome, Italy. As a lead nation of Operation SOPHIA and a host nation for the training, Italy offered ideal training conditions. 36 participants from 12 Member States and Norway spent a week at the Italian Tor di Quinto Naval Club. The participants were joined by MARSUR contractors’ representatives, trainers and representatives from the MARSUR community and representatives from the Italian Navy and Operational Headquarters.

The week provided a unique opportunity to exchange experience, skills and knowledge about the MARSUR capability and the requirements of Operation SOPHIA. Most of all, meeting counterparts from other Member States helped to personalise the otherwise faceless messages on the screen. The resulting network serves to build up the most important asset of information exchange and cooperation: trust.

To provide even more support to Operation SOPHIA, representatives from EDA met with staff from the SOPHIA Operational Headquarters, the Italian Navy and the MARSUR community to ensure that information is sent not only from those ships engaged in Operation SOPHIA, but also all Member States’ ships transiting the Mediterranean.

This type of cooperation is a good example of the implementation of the EU Maritime Security Strategy which envisions cross-sectoral information exchange among European actors.

• Maritime Surveillance (EDA project page)
• European Defence Agency supports CSDP operations
• European maritime surveillance network reaches operational status

The European Defence Agency has launched a new, specialised Defence Energy Managers’ Course (DEMC), which aims to enhance MoD capabilities through the integration of Energy Management Systems within their organisations.  The participants of the DEMC will reinforce their understanding of the complexities of managing energy within a defence organisation or sub-organisation and will acquire the capacity to structure, implement and improve effective Energy Management Systems (EnMS).

Through the attendance of the course, MoD/Armed Forces personnel will be trained to the required technical standard to deliver practical, cost-effective solutions and, uniquely, will benefit from case-specific mentoring support to their first project delivered within the context of their normal work activities. After the course, the trainees will have sufficient knowledge to continue to develop their skills in a continuous cycle of self-improvement through on-going mentoring, alumni relations and as members of the European Defence Energy Network (EDEN) with permanent access to its established on-line resources. 

Following relevant support from EDA’s EnE WG  participating Member States as well as the pertinent requirements of EU legal framework on Energy Efficiency regarding Energy Management Systems (EnMS), the Agency has  proceeded to contract a developmental educational service from a consortium of professional education service providers. 

Based on the ISO 50001 International Energy Standard, the course is tailored to the specificities of the Defence sector and it is divided into the following phases:

• One DEMC – Pilot Course, which will provide the initial EnMS approach in the Defence sector and synchronise the various relevant national requirements. The Pilot Course is scheduled to last 14 months, comprising of classroom sessions and alternating with relevant mentoring and in situ on–the-job training (OJT) for developing and implementing an EnMS at home for MoD organisations. 

• A maximum of 6 DEMC – Steady State are scheduled for the 3 years to follow a successful completion of the Pilot Course. These courses will comprise the DEMC - Pilot structure, in addition to incorporating the previously gained experience as well as any recommendations and feedback from participating Member States. 

The consortium consists of:

• ENMS Ltd (Ireland);
• Centre for Renewable Energy Sources and Saving (CRES) (Greece) and 
• GEN Europe Soluciones Energéticas SL (Spain).

The EDA project team of DEMC is composed of Tom BENNINGTON and Nektarios ALEXANDRIS.

The latest European Defence Matters magazine is now available with a special focus on the European Defence Action Plan (EDAP) presented by the European Commission in November 2016.

NEW: the magazine is from now on available ONLINE in a user-friendly, state of the art responsive lay-out and accessible via all your devices: smartphone, tablet or desktop! Check it out HERE

An eventful and turbulent 2016 has triggered a new ‘momentum’ for European defence cooperation which crystalized into three major defence initiatives: the EU Global Strategy and its security and defence implementation plan, the EU/NATO Joint Declaration and its follow-up as well as the European Defence Action Plan which was adopted by the Commission on 30 November.

The latter topic, the Commission’s European Defence Action Plan (EDAP), is the headline story in this 12th issue of European Defence Matters. Over several pages, we summarise and analyse the main content of the Action Plan and speak to one of its authors, Commission Director General Lowri Evans (DG GROW). The defence industry’s reaction to EDAP is also reflected as are the views of the European Parliament’s rapporteur on the Defence Union, Urmas Paet, who we met for an interview.

Saab CEO Håkan Buskhe, who is our guest for the ‘Industry Talk’, gives insight into his company’s strategy and how he sees the defence industry developing in the coming years.

In another interview, we talk to Lt. General Erhard Bühler who is not only the Head of Directorate General for Planning in the German MoD, but also the chairman of the EDA Steering Board in capability directors composition.

European Defence Matters N°12 also offers you extended articles on two colorful EDA highlights of 2016. First, the European Defence Agency’s Annual Conference which has established itself as ‘must be event’ for the whole EU defence community. Secondly, the 10th EDA Helicopter Training Exercise (‘BLACK BLADE’) which took place in the second half of November in Belgium and mobilized 14 helicopters and 400 staff from 4 Member States.

A final word on the new ONLINE format of European Defence Matters which will make your reading experience even more comfortable:

• in addition to the print version, the online version occasionally offers expanded articles and supplementary pictures

•  articles and pictures can be shared instantly via Twitter, LinkedIn and Email

• the magazine’s ‘Explore’ section allows you to easily access the European Defence Matters archive and revisit articles of previous editions

• by joining us via www.eda.europa.eu/webzine, you will have access to the latest issue and the possibility to navigate through the previous editions by using the ‘Explore’ function.

Enjoy navigating, enjoy reading!

• European Defence Matters 12 (webzine)

A new EDA project aimed at setting a roadmap for future activities designed to transpose the ‘Circular Economy’ concept into the defence sector has been launched this Friday 13 January. During a kick-off meeting held at the EDA premises, the first steps of this ambitious project were discussed with experts from the ‘Circular Economy Research Initiative’ of the Cambridge Judge Business School (CJBS) which is the contractor for this project. The project will result in a study scheduled to be finalized by end of October 2017.

The CJBS researchers will be working closely with the EDA project team in order to perform the initial assessment of possible constraints and opportunities that could derive from applying the Circular Economy concept and principles to the defence sector. Both teams will then establish a roadmap for follow-on actions and propose suitable alternatives in areas where problems may arise.

Circular Economy is a new policy domain that was launched by the European Commission in late 2015 with a communication entitled “Closing the loop: Commission adopts ambitious new Circular Economy Package to boost competitiveness, create jobs and generate sustainable growth”. Then, on 30 November 2016, the European Commission adopted the European Defence Action plan which paved the road for the Circular Economy principles to be applied to the defence sector. As Commission Vice-President Jyrki Katainen wrote in EDA’s European Defence Matters magazine recently, “the transposition of the circular economy principles in the defence sector can benefit the European industry and economy in many ways.”

Indeed, the Circular Economy’s underlying principles are not unfamiliar to the defence sector which has managed to follow a similar path over the years, for instance by applying a through-life management approach. Therefore, it was deemed important that a proactive step be taken in view of assessing the possible alignment or gaps between the flagship initiative of the European Commission and the defence framework. In this respect, the EDA thinks that an assessment of the feasibility of a transposition of the Circular Economy concept into the defence sector could be beneficial. In particular, introducing the Circular Economy principles at an early stage of the research and technology (R&T) phase could produce more systematic and structural benefits. A positive outcome from project study could be highly beneficial for the Member States. The benefits for the defence industry (of which a large part are small and medium enterprises) will be also be explored.

The EDA expects that this initial assessment will shed some light on the potential benefits and challenges of applying the Circular Economy package to the defence sector. Moreover, it should allow to identify topics, opportunities and areas that require further assessment and analysis. These topics will be dealt with in the follow-on actions that EDA will take for establishing the work strand in the area of Circular Economy in defence and enable a smooth and beneficial transition.

The project team of the Circular Economy Research Initiative of the University of Cambridge Judge Business school consists of Dr Khaled Soufani, Dr Mark Esposito and Dr Tse Terence. The EDA project team is composed by Dr Panagiotis Kikiras, Mr Giorgos Dimitriou and Ms Patricia López Vicente.

A new promising EDA research and technology (R&T) programme aimed at improving Member States’ capabilities in detecting Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) was launched on 23 December 2016 when four EDA Member States (Austria, Belgium, The Netherlands, Poland) as well as Norway (which has an Administrative Arrangement with the Agency) signed an agreement for the 3-year ‘IED Detection’ (IEDDET) ad hoc R&T programme with a total budget of €14 million.

The main objective of the IEDDET programme is to develop, improve and field-test IED detection capabilities in order to better protect troops and increase Armed Forces’ operational freedom of movement. Concretely, the programme encompasses three main projects, each of them dealing with a specific topic, namely:

• Vehicle Mounted Early Warning of Indirect Indicators of IEDs (VMEWI3). The objectives of this project is to focus on the detection of indirect indicators with forward looking camera systems. The technology demonstrator will be based on remotely operated unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) platforms with multi-camera head. The UGV platform will be controlled from a manned vehicle. The aim is to detect indicators of IED presence even while moving with a speed of at least 20-30 km/h (early warning capacity).
• UGV stand-off multi-sensor platform for IED component detection (MUSICODE). This project will develop new unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) stand-off capabilities for detection of IED components by using remotely operated multisensory platforms.

• Confirmation, Identification and Airborne Early Warning of IEDs (CONFIDENT). The objectives of this project are two-fold: (i) to focus on the confirmation and the identification of relevant components of IEDs including electronic parts, explosives and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) payloads prior to the release of the agents and (ii) to provide complementary early warning capability. The demonstrators will be based on remotely operated platforms (robot and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, UAV). The UAV will be used for airborne early warning.

In order to ensure the coherence and interoperability between the projects, an offline detection map will be produced and shared to best explore the full set of information available for future route clearance operations and the programme will be concluded by a joint demonstration. IEDDET will involve technology companies (including SMEs), academic institutions as well as governmental and non-governmental research organisations which will all cooperate under the guidance of a management committee consisting of experts from the contributing Member States.

Countering Improvised Explosive Devices (C-IED) was confirmed as a top priority in the EDA Capability Development Plan (CDP) revision of 2014. The launch of the IEDDET programme is part of the practical implementation of this priority in terms of technology development and seen as a crucial step towards improving existing C-IED capabilities.

• Counter-IED (EDA project page)
• Joint Deployable Exploitation and Analysis Laboratory (JDEAL)
• EDA to offer new C-IED application for improved situational awareness (EDA news, November 2016)
• “C-IED proficiency needs to be improved and shared”, says Jorge Domecq (EDA News, October 2016

A innovative and promising defence-related project on Additive Manufacturing (AM, better known as 3D printing) was launched by the European Defence Agency at the kick-off meeting held on 21 December 2016.

The project’s objective is to assess the areas where AM can have a positive impact on defence capabilities and to demonstrate its feasibility.

The rise of Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies has created a variety of possibilities and potential benefits for the defence community. The “Additive Manufacturing Feasibility Study & Technology Demonstration” was initiated in the framework of the CapTech Materials & Structures, within the EDA Research & Technology (R&T) domain. Raising awareness and promoting a better understanding of AM’s application and potential in different military contexts will contribute to its timely and effective implementation in defence specific areas.

The first activity carried out under this initiative will be a desktop study to place AM and its potential in a defence context. This work will summarise the state of the art ability of relevant AM technologies, identify existing R&T and manufacturing capabilities in Europe, and determine areas where further R&T activities should be carried out.

The second work strand is a technology demonstration of AM. To this end, a 3D printer will be deployed as part of the EDA Sponsored Airlift Exercise, to be held in Zaragoza (Spain). This represents a significant step in bridging the data gap on 3D printer performance in deployed conditions and will demonstrate the operational utility of these technologies.

At the end of the project, the results will be presented at an exhibition to high-ranking military staff, along with equipment and demonstrators, in order to raise awareness on the possible impact of AM in defence.

The project represents a clear example of how cross-fertilization of ideas from different domains, from R&T to operations, will enhance defence capabilities, especially when supporting deployed missions.

The EDA contractors, the research centre Fundación Prodintec, and the defence industry MBDA France, will work together to support the activities described, and help to create the synergies that will strengthen the links between research activities, industrial development, and the Armed Forces.

The project aims to demonstrate how R&T can contribute to strengthening European cooperation, defence capabilities and European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB).

The meeting was attended by EDA staff and consortium, European Commission, FOI (SE), FFI (NO), and ES MoD representatives.

EDA Chief Executive Jorge Domecq held talks today (20 December) in Belgrade with Serbian Minister of Defence Mr. Zoran Đorđević, as well as Representatives of the Defence and Internal Affairs Committee at the Serbian National Assembly. Current and future opportunities for cooperation between the EDA and Serbia were among the main topics of discussion. 

Talks with the Minister of Defence mainly focused on the state of play of Serbia’s participation in EDA projects, via its 2013 Administrative Arrangement. Mr. Domecq welcomed Serbia’s involvement in EDA projects and activities, which has grown steadily over the last three years across a diverse range of EDA programmes, such as Countering Improvised Explosive Devices (C-IED), the Collaborative Database (CODABA) and EU SatCom Market, which was the first EDA project Serbia joined in March 2016.
 
Mr Domecq commended Minister Đorđević for Serbia’s overall involvement with the EDA and encouraged further engagement in the Agency’s work in the future. “Our Administrative Arrangement has provided a fruitful foundation for EDA-Serbia cooperation. I am pleased to see that Serbia has become increasingly active and now participates in several EDA projects. I believe that we will also identify possible new areas for cooperation going forward.” 

Mr. Domecq also held productive discussions at the Serbian National Assembly, where he met with representatives of the Defence and Internal Affairs Committee. Talks took place on the implementation of the EU Global Strategy, the European Defence Action Plan and the EU-NATO Joint Declaration, focusing on the role of the EDA.  

During a packed agenda, Mr. Domecq also attended a meeting with the Serbian Chief of Defence, General Ljubiša Diković, and met with officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Military Academy of Serbia. 
 

More information:

• Serbia joins EU Satcom Market
• Signing of EDA-Serbia Administrative Arrangement

The Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency (EDA), Jorge Domecq, and the Executive Director of the SESAR Joint Undertaking (SESAR JU) Florian Guillermet, have today signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) which promotes collaboration on SESAR 2020, the next phase of research and innovation in air traffic management.

The MOC builds on existing working arrangements and ensures that, pursuant to EDA’s role, military views will be taken into consideration in the context of SESAR ATM Research and Development.

The MOC seeks to align civil and military technological development initiatives wherever possible and optimises the use of expertise and available resources, notably in relation to space based systems, remote piloted aircraft systems, cyber security, ATM standards development, the European ATM Master Plan and evolutions of military capabilities and technologies.

“This memorandum of cooperation reinforces EDA’s relationship with the SJU, in support of our role to ensure that military interests and specificities are taken into account in the further evolutions in the Single European Sky, particularly in relation to SESAR 2020 and RPAS Air Traffic Insertion (ATI). It also underpins our joint objective to identify opportunities for civil-military synergy in the context of dual-use R&T projects, notably in support of the recently established RPAS ATI coordination mechanism between the European Commission, EASA, SJU and EDA”, said Jorge Domecq, EDA.

“It is only through the effective collaboration of military and civil aviation stakeholders that we will achieve our mission to modernise Europe’s skies. Building on an already solid relationship, this renewed cooperation with the EDA will further facilitate coordination of military views across the SESAR JU research and innovation activities in SESAR 2020”, said Florian Guillermet, SJU.

• Single European Sky (EDA project page)
• EUROCONTROL and the European Defence Agency consolidate their cooperation (EDA news 17 November 2016)
• Partners step up efforts to address the integration of drones into European airspace (EDA news 8 November 2016)

Satellite communication (SATCOM) is a crucial capability required for the conduct of operations, today and in the future.

The demand for SATCOM capacity will increase over the next decades due to growing information exchange demands, increasingly networked capabilities and significantly improved sensor technology. Both in the civil and military environment the requirement to meet this demand through reliable, secured and cost-effective satellite communication services for EU and national public authorities managing security critical missions and operations has been identified.

In 2013, the European Council recognized that there is a clear need for a new solution combining the advantages of commercial and military satellite systems in order to address both civil and military needs through European cooperation.

The European Defence Agency, in collaboration with the European Commission and the European Space Agency, is preparing this next generation of GOVSATCOM (watch this video).

The EDA currently is finalising the preparation phase on GOVSATCOM and will propose to its Member States as the next step a pooling and sharing demonstration of governmental satellite systems. With this demonstration a secure and guaranteed access to satellite communication solutions to a wide range of European and national civil and military users shall be proven.

The roadmap towards this next step will be launched by the EDA Steering Board in May 2017.

• EU SatCom Market (EDA project page)
• Governmental Satellite Communications (GovSatcom) - EDA project page
• Lithuania becomes 20th member of EU Satcom Market (EDA news 29 November 2016)

Jyrki Katainen, the European Commission Vice-President in charge of Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness, today joined the European Defence Agency’s R&T Steering Board meeting at directors level to present the Commission’s European Defence Action Plan (EDAP) and discuss its research implementation.

It was the first time a European Commissioner participated in an EDA Steering Board meeting at directors level which, in itself, reflects the increased importance defence related policies have gained in recent weeks and months, and with it the work done within the Agency.

Vice-President Katainen presented R&T Directors of Member States’ MoDs with the main elements of the European Defence Action Plan (EDAP) adopted by the Commission on 30 November, especially the proposed setting up of a European Defence Fund and its ‘research window’ to fund collaborative defence research projects at the EU level. This ‘window’ will be mainly implemented through the Preparatory Action on defence research and should lead to a dedicated European Defence Research Programme (EDRP) in the post-2020 EU multiannual financial framework.
R&T directors reviewed and discussed the EDA involvement in the Preparatory Action as well as the Agency’s role within a potentially upcoming EDRP. They were also updated on how the EDA intends to engage industry in the Capability Development Plan (CDP) process.

EDA Chief Executive Jorge Domecq thanked Vice-President Katainen for his presence and welcomed his EDAP presentation. “Any initiative or measure that can help strengthening European defence cooperation and the underlying European Defence and Technological Industrial Base is more than welcome. The Commission has some powerful instruments at its disposal as set out in its Action Plan and I sincerely believe that we should make best use of, interact with and complement those”, he said. Mr Domecq added: “There is a need to carefully articulate and find the right balance between the intergovernmental and the community approach. Finding such balance will determine whether we will be successful together in generating more capabilities, more in cooperation and on a more cost-effective basis”.

The third in a series of five meetings of the Consultation Forum for Sustainable Energy in the Defence and Security Sector (CF SEDSS) was held in Rome on 22 – 24 November 2016.

The conference was opened by Major General Francesco Maurizio Noto Director, Energy Task Force, Italian MoD, from the Italian Ministry of Defence, Mrs Claudia Canaveri Deputy Head of Energy Efficiency at DG Energy, and Mr Denis Roger, Director European Synergies and Innovation at the European Defence Agency. It was closed by Mr Rini Goos, Deputy Chief Executive European Defence Agency.

“We need to maintain the momentum of the Consultation Forum events and gain an increased pace on delivering sustainable energy to the Defence sector,” EDA Director European Synergies and Innovation Denis Roger said during his opening address. “We need to develop a framework for increasing resilience to the impacts of energy insecurity on Defence capability, whilst enabling MODs to meet international and national commitments. Energy must increasingly be an integral element to the planning and delivery of military capability.”

Building on the success of the first and second events held in Brussels and Dublin earlier this year, this third conference was attended by around 100 experts from government administrations representing the majority of EDA Member States, as well as industry, academia, NATO representatives and the European Commission.

In closing the conference, EDA Deputy Chief Executive Rini Goos set out, “The sustainable energy challenge that all of us in the European Defence community need to address is how we are going to confront our own entrenched thinking and approaches, embracing innovative new concepts to ensure that we can continue to deliver world class military capability”. Mr Goos concluded, “Through an approach of cooperation, collaboration, and complementarity, you have the combined and continued support of the European Defence Agency and the Commission in this endeavor.”

The Consultation Forum for Sustainable Energy in the Defence and Security Sector is a European Commission initiative managed by the European Defence Agency. It brings together experts from the defence and energy sectors to share information and best practice on improving energy management, energy efficiency, and the use of renewable energy.
The Consultation Forum takes place in a series of five plenary meetings over 24 months, concluding in October 2017. The work is carried out in three parallel working groups each with a particular focus: (1) Energy Management, (2) Energy Efficiency & 3) Renewable Energy.

• 1st CF SEDSS meeting report (Brussels, January 2016)
• 2nd CF SEDSS meeting report (Dublin, June 2016)
• CF SEDSS factsheet
• European Defence Energy Network (EDEN)
  
  

The 9th edition of the Personnel Recovery Controller and Planner Course (PRCPC), a project initiated and supported by the European Defence Agency (EDA), was organised and hosted for the third time by the European Personnel Recovery Centre (EPRC), a close partner of the Agency.

The course was successfully conducted from 21 November to 2 December in Poggio Renatico Air Base (Italy). 21 students from 11 countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Cyprus, Ireland and the United States) benefitted from the knowledge and experience of a team of instructors coming from Belgium, France, Germany, UK, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain and Canada.

The main objective of the course was to train Personnel Recovery (PR) staff working in tactical operation centres (TOCs), personnel recovery coordination cells (PRCCs) or joint personnel recovery cells (JPRCs) in supporting their commanders in any future PR activities.

Personnel Recovery is a vital element of modern operational planning as it provides a security net for deployed personnel. Most importantly, it boosts morale and acknowledges national as well as European Union responsibilities to effect the recovery and reintegration of isolated personnel deployed in the context of Crisis Management Operations under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

The next EU PRCPC will take place in Karlsborg (Sweden) from 27 March to 7 April 2017 and will be organised by the Swedish Armed Forces.

The EDA PRCPC project was established on 30 May 2013 as an EDA Category B project under the lead of Sweden. As of today, it includes six contributing EU Member States (cMS): Austria, Belgium, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands and Sweden. On 31 May 2015, the cMS agreed to extend the PRCPC Cat B project until 30 May 2017. The EPRC is a potential candidate for the continuation of the project.

The EPRC closely cooperates with the EDA. It was created on 8 July 2015 by seven nations (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and Great Britain) with the aim of improving the four phases of Personnel Recovery (Preparation, Planning, Execution and Adaptation) by developing/harmonising the Personnel Recovery Policy, Doctrine and Standards through clear lines of communications with partners/stakeholders (nations and international organisations), and providing assistance in support of education and training, exercises and operations.

• EDA’s Personnel Recovery Demonstrator used in Polish courses (October 2016)
• EDA Personnel Recovery project page
• Hungary hosted EDA Personnel Recovery course (June 2016)

Since the 14th of November the 10th EDA Helicopter Training Programme Exercise (Black Blade) has been underway in Florennes Airbase in Belgium. 

Photographers from the participating Member States have been embedded with participating aircrews during the exercise. They have kindly provided the EDA with their work which is available on our Flickr page. 

Exercise Black Blade will officially conclude on December 2.
 

• BLACK BLADE 2016 exercice pictures
• Video by Belgian Air Force
• EC Audiovisual Services pictures
• Helicopter Initiatives (EDA project page)
• Fact Sheet Exercise BLACK BLADE 2016