Improved warheads

Closed

Programme Category

EU Competitive Programmes

Programme Name

European Defence Fund (EDF)

Programme Description

The European Defence Fund (EDF) is the Commission’s initiative to support collaborative defence research and development, and to foster an innovative and competitive defence industrial base.

Programme Details

Identifier Code

EDF-2021-GROUND-R-IW

Call

Improved warheads

Summary

This topic has opened under the call Precision Strike Capabilities (EDF-2021-GROUND-R).

Defeating improved protection systems of main combat platforms, hardened targets and reinforced (critical) infrastructures remains a focal challenge for military operations. Enhanced effects on targets, like blast, perforation, penetration, shock, bubble effects or electromagnetic pulse, are required to defeat such advanced protection systems. In this way, the development of new types of warheads with higher performance is required. Activities should cover the research on an enhanced penetration performance.

Detailed Call Description

The scope of the research action should be:

  • Research on technology of explosives – development of a technology of production of explosives charges with high homogeneity (uniform density distribution in the entire volume of the charge), geometric accuracy and high detonation parameters;
  • Research on technology of liners of shaped charges and explosively formed projectiles (EFPs);
    Development of a technology of production of precise liners made of conventional materials (copper, Armco iron) with high structural homogeneity, chemical purity, etc.;
  • Development of a technology of production of precise liners made of new materials, e.g. manufactured with the use of additive techniques; with a programmed texture affecting the projectile formation process in such a way that the final shape of the projectile improves its stabilisation on the flight path; slow stretching shaped charges allowing to keep its integrity as long as possible;
  • Optimisation of the shapes of the liners;
  • Development of a technology of manufacturing of the warhead shells providing high strength, accuracy and repeatability of assembly, maximizing the penetration capability of the warheads and minimising the weight of the entire system; e.g. by using a steel-composite shells with circumferential reinforcements made of carbon or glass fibres in a polymer matrix;
  • Development of new methods of explosive initiation, ensuring additional acceleration and appropriate shape of the detonation wave, axisymmetric deformation of the liner and, as a result, maximisation of its penetration capability;
  • Development of multi-liner warheads (one explosive charge form and accelerate several projectiles). Such solutions will enable defeating armoured vehicles, but also can be used to destroy various types of infrastructure during military operations in urban areas (small calibre/low mass of explosive limit the negative side effects of detonation of the EFP, e.g. damage of buildings);
  • Development of initial concepts of new warhead carriers as well as selection of existing ones and definition of new warhead applications related to their structures (grenades, mines, drones, etc.);
  • Definition of numerical models of the warhead/target systems and performing computer simulations in order to initially evaluate the penetration capability of newly developed warheads;
  • Performing experimental tests determining the functioning of the developed warhead systems.

 Τhe proposal must address penetrator warheads that can be effectively employed against infrastructure. Moreover, the proposal can address other technologies that offer added value in the context of next generation battlefield targets.

Call Total Budget

€10000000

Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan

100%

Thematic Categories

  • Justice - Security
  • Other Services
  • Research, Technological Development and Innovation

Eligibility for Participation

  • Central Government
  • Large Enterprises
  • Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
  • State-owned Enterprises

Eligibility For Participation Notes

The action shall be carried out by legal entities cooperating within a consortium of at least three eligible legal entities which are established in at least three different Member States or associated countries. At least three of those eligible legal entities established in at least two different Member States or associated countries shall not, during the entire period in which the action is carried out, be controlled, directly or indirectly, by the same legal entity and shall not control each other.

The admissibility and eligibility conditions are described under Article 9 and Article 10(4) of the EDF regulation.

Call Opening Date

09/09/2021

Call Closing Date

09/12/2021

National Contact Point(s)

Ministry of Defense
172-174 Strovolos Avenue, 2048 Strovolos, Nicosia,
website: https://mod.gov.cy/
Telephone: 22 807500
Email: defence@mod.gov.cy

Department of Research and Innovation
Phones: 22 807755, 22 807754
Email: research.innovation@mod.gov.cy

(Publish Date: 29/09/2021-for internal use only)

EU Contact Point

European Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DEFIS)
https://ec.europa.eu/info/departments/defence-industry-and-space_en

DEFIS-EDF-PROPOSALS@EC.EUROPA.EU