Belgium – Military research and technology – Procurement Cluster: Enablers for Safe Integration of Military Air Capabilities in the European Sky

In a drive to elevate the capabilities of European-made low-cost tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for precision navigation, the new project focuses on two key objectives. Firstly, it seeks to enhance their operational resilience in challenging environments for safe airspace integration – specifically those with limited or denied Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) access and potential electronic jamming threats. Secondly, the project will leverage recent breakthroughs in EU space-based services alongside onboard sensor fusion powered by artificial intelligence. This integration aims to achieve unwavering navigation accuracy regardless of spectrum availability, demonstrably validating its effectiveness through real-world proof-of-concept and demonstration phases. The successful development of these advanced navigation capabilities for UAS aims to ensure their safe integration into the airspace. By enabling them to navigate precisely even in GNSS-denied environments and mitigate electronic interference, the project directly addresses critical safety concerns. This enhanced autonomy will contribute significantly to deconfliction with manned aircraft, ultimately paving the way for a more streamlined and efficient airspace for all users.

As a European harmonised assessment methodology of Air and Ground risks will facilitate access to the airspace by a Member State when operating in another Member State’s territory with its non-certified UAS, it is paramount to guarantee the Safety and Security aspects from a Military perspective, by having a harmonised risk assessment methodology being as Safe and Secured as the methodology used by the Member States nationally. The general objective of the new Framework Contract is to expand the online tool developed in the scope of the 2021 FWC to automate most of the risk assessment process by leveraging the MIL-UAS-SPECIFIC methodology or any other harmonised risk assessment methodology accepted by the military. The proposed online tool will become a "networking/connecting" platform , with selectable risk assessment methodologies (identification/mitigation of risks) running in the background including a selectable accepted risk level for the UAS operations to cover operations in peace, crisis and war times.