Platforms
This Functional Area covers all the functions related to developing land, air, marine and space platforms, as well as cross-cutting aspects to all the latter, such as energy generation, storage and distribution, and technologies related to developing the materials needed for these functions.
This Functional Area includes the following seven Sub-Areas:
- Common elements
- Materials
- Energy
- Land platforms
- Naval platforms
- Aerial platforms
- Space platforms
Common elements
This Sub-Area includes technological aspects that are common to all military platforms; specifically, obtaining capabilities related to the survival of the platform, its life cycle and its interaction both with humans and with other platforms.
It includes the following Technology Goals:
- TG 3.1.1 To increase technological capabilities in order to optimise the life cycle of platforms (maintenance, operation, modifications, etc.).
- TG 3.1.2 To increase technological capabilities in order to improve human-platform integration.
- TG 3.1.3 To increase the capabilities of UXVs to neutralise the enemy.
- TG 3.1.4 To increase technological capabilities in order to create UXV networks of different categories.
Materials
This Sub-Area includes all the technological aspects related to the development of new materials that, in one way or another, are applicable to all military platforms. Emphasis is placed on aspects such as the structural improvement of platforms for their defence, whether through advanced passive protection systems by improving their operativity or by means of non-detectability systems.
It includes the following Technology Goals:
- TG 3.2.1 To reduce the signature (radar, IR, VIS, acoustic, etc.) of platforms by developing new materials and structures functioning in a wide frequency range.
- TG 3.2.2 To increase the structural resistance of platforms against ballistic and explosive impacts through the development of new materials (more effective passive protection).
- TG 3.2.3 To reduce the weight of platforms through the use of lighter materials with no loss of performance.
Energy
This Sub-Area includes systems for the generation, transmission, management and final use of the principal energy vectors (electricity, fuels and hydrogen), and systems for the propulsion of platforms.
It includes the following Technology Goals:
- TG 3.3.1 To increase technological capabilities to improve the main propulsion systems of UXVs and to provide auxiliary power for very large manned platforms, by developing more efficient systems for the generation and/or storage of electrical energy.
- TG 3.3.2 To increase the degree of electrification of platforms by the development of hybrid and electric propulsion technologies.
- TG 3.3.3 To introduce non-oil-based fuels, which could be used as the sole energy source.
- TG 3.3.4 To reduce dependence on fossil fuels in the generation of electrical energy at bases and camps.
Land platforms
This Sub-Area includes technological functions and aspects specifically related to manned and unmanned land platforms. In particular, it is concerned with the utilisation of the experiences and technologies of the civil sector in this context, and seeks to apply the consolidated developments in the field of aeronautics to the land environment, in which the conservation of the platform and its combat functions is not a fundamental element to the survival of the crew.
It includes the following Technology Goals:
- TG 3.4.1 To improve the physical characteristics of the platform by developing technologies related to the structural design of land platforms.
- TG 3.4.2 To enhance technological capabilities to improve the suspension of land platforms.
- TG 3.4.3 To enhance technological capabilities to improve the mobility and transport of land platforms and to reduce their visibility.
- TG 3.4.4 To improve identification during combat and the survival of land platforms in scenarios of close proximity combat.
- TG 3.4.5 To increase technological capabilities in order to enhance platform security and performance by the integration of sensors (EO, acoustic, radar, etc.).
- TG 3.4.6 To improve the communications systems of land platforms.
- TG 3.4.7 To improve the integration and networking of mission support systems.
- TG 3.4.8 To improve aspects related to data processing, with open computing architectures.
- TG 3.4.9 To reinforce capabilities to neutralise the enemy with technologies facilitating the integration of weapons systems.
Naval platforms
The Sub-Area of naval platforms includes manned and unmanned systems together with technologies specific to these platforms and their structure. In particular, emphasis is placed on developing technologies related to the design of structures and superstructures, the integration of USVs/UUVs, propulsion systems, logistic support, and technologies facilitating the integrated use of these systems.
It includes the following Technology Goals:
- TG 3.5.1 To increase technological capabilities to design latest generation hulls.
- TG 3.5.2 To increase technological capabilities to integrate multiple functionalities into the superstructures incorporated on a naval platform.
- TG 3.5.3 To increase technological capabilities to improve ergonomic and comfort aspects on board ships.
- TG 3.5.4 To increase technological capabilities to integrate USVs/UUVs into manned platforms.
- TG 3.5.5 To increase technological capabilities to achieve the logical integration of USVs/UUVs with each other and with platforms.
- TG 3.5.6 To increase the technological capabilities necessary for missions in coastal waters (minesweeping, perimeter defence, etc.) by USVs/ UUVs.
Aerial platforms
The aerial platform Sub-Area includes manned and unmanned aerial systems and the technologies applied to aerial platforms and associated land systems: structure, aircraft systems, navigation systems, control, guidance and communications, propulsion systems, logistics support, as well as technologies facilitating the integrated use of these systems (networking, joint operations, etc.).
It includes the following Technology Goals:
- TG 3.6.1 To achieve the capability to design (in conceptual, structural and aerodynamic terms) military aerial platforms, including unmanned HALE/MALE and UCAV aerial systems.
- TG 3.6.2 To achieve the capability to integrate active and passive systems for the protection of aerial platforms: new materials, DIRCM, pyrotechnic systems, etc.
- TG 3.6.3 To increase technological capabilities to develop integrated avionics systems (navigation and communications).
- TG 3.6.4 To increase technological capabilities to design (in conceptual, structural and aerodynamic terms) and develop tactical and mini/micro UAVs.
- TG 3.6.5 To increase technological capabilities to integrate UAVs into the non-segregated airspace, including aspects of certification and operation.
Space platforms
The Space Platform Sub-Area includes the set of functions and technologies related to the design of satellites for global observation and surveillance, global positioning systems and secure communications.
It includes the following Technology Goals:
- TG 3.7.1 To increase technological capabilities to enhance the capacity and security of satellite communications.
- TG 3.7.2 To increase the capability and performance of space-based systems of observation, surveillance and reconnaissance.
- TG 3.7.3 To increase technological capabilities to develop micro-nano space platforms for tactical communications, observation and surveillance.