EDF-2024-RA-AIR-UCCAS-STEP: Unmanned collaborative combat aircraft (U-CCA) systems

07 November 2024|
Expected Impact:

The outcome should contribute to:

  • the emergence of a consolidated EU perspective for U-CCA systems in EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries and for the EDTIB;
  • reduce dependencies on non-European suppliers by boosting the EDTIB and promoting the development of a European solution;
  • more effective multi-role and networked operations, including MUM-T, collaborative operations in spectrum-constrained environments and swarming formation;
  • improvement of the degree of autonomy of unmanned systems, while still allowing humans to take control whenever needed;
  • increase operational capability by identifying new concepts and options for dispersed basing of U-CCAs;
  • the identification of potential "quick-wins" in the context of U-CCA solutions;
  • the generation of prerequisites and inputs for the long-term development of future EU/NATO U-CCA perspective, with a view to reduce the fragmentation in EU UAS fleets;
  • air combat solutions able to reduce the exposure of risk to humans, with a more precise effectiveness to reduce the collateral effects;
  • the interoperability between EU armed forces and with NATO Allies.
Objective:

It is an overarching challenge for the EU and EDF Associated Countries to develop a consolidated common perspective on the long-term applications, requirements, solution concepts and technology needs for an advanced EU Unmanned Collaborative Combat Aircraft (U-CCA) system to support the 5th and 6th generation fighter in

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