This call aims to support innovation opportunities and enable small companies to demonstrate innovative technologies relevant to drone-based affordable mass munitions while receiving limited acceleration support. Financial support to third parties (FSTP) is included in the grant to increase opportunities for various smaller actors, including those not previously active in the defence sector, to adapt innovative technologies for drone-based affordable mass munitions and identify potential business opportunities in the defence sector.

The war in Ukraine has demonstrated the necessity of massive use of ammunition in high-intensity warfare scenarios. Loitering Munitions (including First Person View (FPV) drones) and Unmanned Combat Aerial Systems (UCAS) have proven effective force multipliers in ground operations. Most of the research and development in these areas have taken place outside the EU, and there is an urgent need for affordable and mass-producible solutions to enhance European defence capabilities.

The specific objective is to study, design, develop, prototype, and test new-generation affordable mass munitions for ground combat indirect fire. These should focus on affordable loitering munitions and small UCAS, deployable in massive quantities with swarm capability, ensuring battlefield superiority. The solutions must be scalable for mass production and integrate lessons from the Ukrainian battlefield.

The call requires consortia to reach out to SMEs and start-ups across the EU, EDF associated countries, and Ukraine, incorporating financial support for third parties (FSTP). Selected third parties will receive funding to demonstrate and improve their solutions and access business development support services. The proposals must outline plans for integrating third-party innovation into the project, ensuring broader participation in European defence initiatives.

Eligible activities include feasibility studies, design, prototyping, and testing. The expected outcomes include extended precision strike capabilities, technological superiority, and reduced non-EU dependencies in loitering munitions and small UCAS. Several proposals will be funded under this topic.

Opening: 18.02.2025
Deadline(s): 16.10.2025