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Smart and multifunctional textiles for future soldier systems

This European Defence Fund (EDF) topic funds the development of next-generation Smart and Multifunctional Textiles (SMT) tailored to the needs of European armed forces operating in modern, high-intensity combat. Recent battlefield developments—including renewed symmetric warfare on European soil, widespread use of armoured platforms, artillery, long-range munitions, and the rapid proliferation of UAVs/drones equipped with multi-spectral sensors and precision effectors—make concealment, survivability, and soldier effectiveness significantly harder to maintain. Dismounted soldiers are particularly exposed: advanced sensing, networking, and sensor fusion technologies can detect individuals across multiple parts of the acoustic and electromagnetic spectrum, day and night, and may enable automatic recognition.

The call aims to develop an integrated soldier smart and multifunctional textile system that balances survivability (protection) with combat ability (mobility and performance). It promotes a system approach that includes standardisation, harmonisation of system specifications, and a modular open architecture to ensure cost-effective adaptability and interoperability for EU Member States and EDF associated countries.

SMT in this topic includes both functional textiles (e.g., mechanical resistance, water/dirt repellence, fire retardancy, antibacterial protection, UV protection, pest deterrence, chemical resistance, thermal isolation) and smart textiles that interact with the environment by responding and adapting to stimuli. It also covers e-textiles/electronic textiles integrating sensors and actuators to enable capabilities such as: sensing (environmental and physiological monitoring, including CBRN detection), actuation (e.g., change colour/shape/stiffness), communication (data transmission for situational awareness), energy harvesting/storage (e.g., solar or piezoelectric integration), enhanced protection (e.g., fire/water resistance, ballistic protection, neutralisation of chemical agents), and comfort/health functions (thermoregulation and moisture management).

The scope requires proposals to develop signature management solutions to reduce detectability by various battlefield sensors (including those on UAVs/drones) and potentially avoid automatic recognition; integrate innovative technologies for identification of friend or foe (IFF); ensure robustness and maintainability; and integrate soldier-system technologies (such as power distribution, communications/antennas, CBRN sensors, adaptable membranes), while noting that the development of those soldier-system technologies themselves is not in scope. The work should introduce new concepts for enhanced ballistic protection against fragments and projectiles—compatible with soldier comfort and combat effectiveness—based on vulnerability analyses and considering ergonomic, lightweight hard/soft armour shapes, including threats from UAVs/drones. The system must support operations across diverse and extreme climates, including Arctic winter conditions, and may optionally include integration with a soldier command and control (C2) system.

Mandatory activities include studies (CONOPS/CONUSES updates; harmonisation of requirements/specifications/standards with cross-fertilisation among participating countries; feasibility studies for device/capability-suite concepts; and assessment of repair, maintenance, and end-of-life options such as module replacement, disassembly, embedded-component repair, and recycling) and design (an integrated demonstrator combining signature management, personal protection, IFF, and integration of soldier-system technologies). Optional activities may include prototyping, testing, qualification, certification, and life-cycle efficiency demonstrators evaluated in representative environments. Proposals must also show synergies with related EDF activities, including EDF-2022-DA-MACOMP-SMT (Smart and multifunctional textiles) and EDF-2021-PROTMOB-D-SS (Soldier system).

Opening: 22.01.2026
Deadline(s): 29.09.2026

Expected Outcome

- Harmonised SMT-based solutions aligned with future capability needs of EU Member States and EDF associated countries.
- An integrated demonstrator design for a soldier smart and multifunctional textile system combining signature management, personal protection, IFF, and soldier-system integration.
- Improved concealment and survivability in multi-sensor battlefields (including drone/UAV-enabled observation and attacks) during day and night.
- Enhanced operational capability in high-intensity combat, including electronic warfare-congested environments.
- New or improved capabilities for identification of friend or foe and signature management.
- Demonstrated pathways for standardisation/harmonisation of requirements, specifications, and standards.
- Defined concepts for maintainability, repair, modular replacement, and end-of-life management.
- (If pursued) Prototype(s) and test/qualification evidence in representative environments demonstrating operational benefits and added value.

Scope

- Develop a signature management solution to reduce individual soldier detectability by multiple battlefield sensors, including UAV/drone sensors, and potentially avoid automatic recognition.
- Integrate innovative identification of friend or foe (IFF) technologies into the textile system.
- Ensure robustness and design for maintainability across the textile system life cycle.
- Integrate soldier-system technologies (e.g., power distribution, communication/antennas, CBRN sensors, adaptable membranes) without developing those technologies themselves.
- Define new concepts for enhanced ballistic protection (fragments/projectiles) compatible with comfort and combat effectiveness, based on vulnerability analyses and including ergonomic, lightweight hard and soft armour shapes.
- Address protection against threats from UAVs/drones.
- Ensure operation across different climate zones, including extreme Arctic conditions.
- Apply a system approach with standardisation, harmonisation, and modular open architecture for adaptability and interoperability.
- (Optional) Provide an option to integrate the textile system into soldier systems with a command and control (C2) system.

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