In recent years, military conflicts have become increasingly complex, even more characterised by high degree of unpredictability and uncertainty. New dynamics, like brand-new and/or mature technological development and revised military doctrines, are shaping the future of warfare, thus requiring the EU Member States’ and EDF Associated Countries’ armed forces to prove their agility and constant adaptation to an evolving military landscape. To effectively tackle these challenges, the concept of SoS seems to represent a viable option able to satisfy a growing need for flexibility, by integrating various elements in a multidomain environment.

In this framework, definition and role of the 6th generation of fighter aircraft are expected to change accordingly. The aircraft should move from a platform-oriented design capable to perform missions within a single domain to a SoS configuration to incorporate various interconnected elements, including a system of Manned and unmanned Teaming (MuM-T) such as Unmanned Collaborative Combat Aircraft (UCCA), swarm of drones and adjunct platforms, able to operate across the five domains (air, land, sea, space and cyber). By leveraging the collective capabilities of these interconnected components, military forces can enhance their operational effectiveness in different and diverse military scenarios. As military/warfare scenarios continue to evolve, the need for adaptable and multidomain systems becomes increasingly critical.

Challenges of enhanced stealth capability, range and electronic warfare are even more compelling needs – in addition to flexibility and life cycle cost – the development of these advanced propulsion systems must be approached collaboratively, ensuring seamless integration within the SoS configuration/elements such as UCCA.

In order to develop and mature a new suite of advanced technologies for propulsion, power and thermal management system for the aircraft fighter must be developed in a modular and flexible manner to different sizes and types of systems, taking into account the following points, but not limited to:

• Understanding of the full potential of the new aircraft fighter configuration with advanced propulsion technologies and making sure that the EU technologies for propulsion and energy systems are going hand in hand with the new mission requirements and operational needs.
• Development of innovative solutions and enabling technologies for both the propulsion system and other interconnected components within the SoS configuration is necessary for an efficient and integrated energy generation and management system for future military aircraft applications.
• Increased energy efficiency and effectiveness compared to the systems that are used today.

Proposals must provide a validated suite of advanced technologies for propulsion and energy systems that can be applied within a SoS configuration and perform a set of studies to explore challenges for the effective integration of these technologies into different size and concepts of platforms, with a particular focus on UCCA.

Proposals must show ways to greatly improve energy and thermal efficiency to accommodate the rising need of non-propulsive energy demands and therefore also show possibilities for improving the ecological footprint.

In addition, proposals may address the jointly development and evaluation of technologies on a test vehicle on ground or in flight which could be developed or adapted from an existing one within in the frame of this work. This vehicle would also be an opportunity for joint technology development activities in Europe to enhance cross border collaboration between large industrial groups, SME and academia.