This funding call is dedicated to the design, development, and demonstration of a European Fighter Multifunctional Information Distribution System (FEMIDS) terminal. The project focuses on establishing a state‐of‐the‐art C4ISR capability that enables advanced communication, navigation, and identification (CNI) for tactical operations in air, land, and maritime environments. With the evolution of modern warfare and the increasing need for secure, interoperable, and resilient information exchange, the call targets the creation of a demonstrator that not only meets but exceeds the current technological standards available at the time of entry into service. It is designed to support critical operational tasks including encrypted high data rate transmissions even in Electromagnetic Countermeasures (ECM) environments, interconnecting multiple sources of intelligence and surveillance data, and ensuring a reliable relative navigation capability for mobile force elements.

The call emphasizes the strategic necessity of reducing dependency on non-EU manufacturers by developing a robust, sovereign European solution. This demonstrator will allow EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries to regain control of a key defence capability, essential for effective crisis management and international conflict prevention. Participants are expected to carry out comprehensive studies, including configuration setups, risk mitigation analyses, and life-cycle-cost assessments, alongside detailed design activities progressing from the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) to the Critical Design Review (CDR).

The proposed project must address critical technical risks and integration challenges while ensuring that the demonstrator is compatible with existing operational platforms such as fighters and frigates. Key functionalities include support for Link 16 datalink operations, tactical data exchange, and incorporation of future stealth waveform capabilities. Moreover, the demonstrator must integrate advanced software communication architectures in accordance with Software Defined Radio (SDR) standards, meeting rigorous mechanical, thermal, and security requirements. In addition to laboratory functional testing and performance evaluations, the project is expected to provide concrete evidence of an effective, secure, and interoperable solution that can be seamlessly integrated into the current and future operational environment of EU armed forces.

This initiative not only aims at technological innovation but also seeks to foster collaboration among various stakeholders including research institutes, industry players, and small and medium enterprises. The outcome will bolster EU sovereignty, enhance interoperability across defence forces, and promote the development of critical capabilities that ensure a resilient European defence posture.

Opening: 18-02-2025
Deadline(s): 16-10-2025