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Call Updates
Oct 18, 2022 3:45:39 PM
New version of EDF DA detailed budget table (v1.20)
Macro error in the detailed budget table for EDF DA for users of Excel in another language than English now corrected.
Jul 14, 2022 2:09:57 PM
New version of EDF DA detailed budget table (v1.10)
Error in the detailed budget table for EDF DA regarding cross-border status of SMEs and mid-caps now corrected
Jun 21, 2022 1:05:25 PM
The submission session is now available for: EDF-2022-DA-C4ISR-SOFC2(EDF-DA)
Jun 10, 2022 4:55:32 PM
News update: hyperlinks to documents in Topic conditions and documents have been updated.
Deployable special operations forces multi-environment command post and C2 System
TOPIC ID: EDF-2022-DA-C4ISR-SOFC2
Programme: European Defence Fund
Work programme part: EDF-2022
Call: Development actions through actual costs grants following the call for proposals (EDF-2022-DA)
Work programme year: EDF-2022
Type of action: EDF-DA EDF Development Actions
Type of MGA: EDF Action Grant Budget-Based [EDF-AG]
Deadline model: single-stage
Planned opening date: 21 June 2022
Deadline date: 24 November 2022 17:00:00 Brussels time
Symmetric and asymmetric threats inside and outside the EU territory require fast response and the ability to rapidly deploy transportable units implementing a Special Operations Forces Command Post and C2 System (SOFCPC2) to areas of interest, during both peace and wartime. The 2018 Capability Development Plan (CDP-2018) encodes this need in the priority “Cross-domain capabilities contributing to achieve EU’s Level of Ambition” and in particular “c) Enabling capabilities to operate autonomously within EU’s LoA” and more specifically: “Providing a deployable joint interoperable C2 capability readily available for integration so as to be able to operate more efficiently with international and regional partners.”
General objective
In the context of CSDP operations, Small Joint Operations (SJO) conducted by Special Operation Forces (SOF) can provide a wide array of flexible military options for a rapid and effective response to the whole spectrum and all the stages of the fast-evolving crisis management landscape. The use of SOF can evidently decrease the risk of escalation that is generally associated with the employment of larger and more visible combat forces. Furthermore, SOF can be used in order to prepare and incorporate the full capacity and rapid deployment of such larger EU military forces and reinforce their operational capacities when they are already deployed in an operational theatre, in order to stabilise a deteriorating situation.
SOF can also contribute to the effort to maintain the maritime security across Mediterranean Sea, to conduct maritime security and interdiction operations in the context of combating maritime terrorist, to mitigate refugee flows and intercept illegal trafficking of people and goods.
Specific objective
A key contribution from SOF to SJO is their highly flexible mobility that can provide the ability to rapidly adapt and respond to a broad range of operational scenarios in every operational domain (land, sea, air and cyber) with minimum or no demand for host nation support.
Against this background, the SOFCPC2 should provide adequate flexibility, interoperability, deployability, scalability, discretion and redundancy, notably concerning communications systems and networks, in order to adapt easily in rapidly changing levels of conflict.
The duration of the proposed action shall not exceed three years and shall provide an initial operational capability of the prototype system.
Scope:Scope and types of activities
Scope
Proposals must focus on the development of a capability considering SOF specific requirements, which includes not only generic C2 capabilities but also those tailored for SOF. Those SOF specific requirements imply interoperability with higher level C2 Systems and with tactical edge communication systems for field deployed operators, rapid deployment capabilities in various areas of interest supporting several SOF teams, low thermal signature power supplies and multi-environment operational capabilities as a standalone asset.
Proposals must in particular address the development of:
Types of activities
The following types of activities are eligible for this topic:
Types of activities (art 10(3) EDF Regulation) |
Eligible? |
|
(a) |
Activities that aim to create, underpin and improve knowledge, products and technologies, including disruptive technologies, which can achieve significant effects in the area of defence (generating knowledge) |
No |
(b) |
Activities that aim to increase interoperability and resilience, including secured production and exchange of data, to master critical defence technologies, to strengthen the security of supply or to enable the effective exploitation of results for defence products and technologies (integrating knowledge) |
Yes (optional) |
(c) |
Studies, such as feasibility studies to explore the feasibility of new or upgraded products, technologies, processes, services and solutions |
Yes (mandatory) |
(d) |
Design of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology as well as the definition of the technical specifications on which such design has been developed, including partial tests for risk reduction in an industrial or representative environment |
Yes (mandatory) |
(e) |
System prototyping of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology (prototype) |
Yes (mandatory) |
(f) |
Testing of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology |
Yes (mandatory) |
(g) |
Qualification of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology |
Yes (optional) |
(h) |
Certification of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology |
Yes (optional) |
(i) |
Development of technologies or assets increasing efficiency across the life cycle of defence products and technologies |
Yes (optional) |
Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) of the SOFCPC2 prototype must be attained within three years after the signature of the grant agreement.
The prototype of SOFCPC2 should be tested and evaluated for initial operational capability with facilities and equipment for multiple of ten of military personnel (at least 50), according to test scenarios and requirements that will be defined and provided by the operating Member States and associated countries before starting the design activities.
Functional requirements
The capability to be developed should meet the following functional requirements:
By providing a reference SOF C2 System, hence improving the capabilities of the European defence technological and industrial base to develop and supply state-of-the-art C2 systems, the action should contribute to:
[1]Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning