In particular the proposals must address:

• The ends to draw the outlines of the future operating concepts. These outlines are based on the future operating environment (FOE) as well as the role and purpose of VTOL-systems.
• Once the outlines are set, the research activities can be focused on the future operating concept (FOC). This conceptual approach concerns all levels of warfare: strategic, operational, tactical and technical. But also logistic and maintenance concepts such as predictive and/or condition-based maintenance, logistical footprint, supply-chain management, acceptable life cycle costs and a flexible/affordable airworthiness certification process with common European (military) certification specifications.
• Based on a common perspective on the future (military) operating concept, the required capabilities can be derived, which in turn defines the means: the required military capacities, the required governance to develop and exploit these military capacities and the interoperability requirements. Almost all future military scenarios involve using information to optimise operations. This involves network centric operations in which envisaged future vertical lift obtain information from networks, distribute information on networks and operate closely with other parties to attain intended effects.
• Pre-feasibility studies of possible architecture and operational concepts for high performances military VTOL platforms. Those studies will rely on:
  • Fundamental work on EU Defence community needs on vertical lift, based on reference combat missions scenarios to be defined, technical and operational studies, concept of operation (CONOPS) definition, battlefield simulations, interactions with advanced vehicle concept designs scalability and applicability to various military missions.
  • Research on rotorcraft conceptual design: assessment of various vehicle formula scalability and applicability to EU military missions and EU operational requirements. Coordination of technology acquisition efforts to integrate key future capability streams since early concept phase (e.g. modularity, survivability, design-to-cost).
• This assessment will include flights with higher speed and longer range VTOL technology demonstrators as necessary, as well as the use of available ground flight simulators. Flying technology demonstrators may be employed to assess new capabilities for military missions, understand key features (e.g. manoeuvrability along the flight domain, IR/EM/noise signatures) and potentially as flying test-beds of technologies. First fly-tests, supported by ground flight simulators, should allow EU MoD helicopter specialists to have a pragmatic hands-on insight on the capabilities brought by new high speed / long range / low (reduced) consumption helicopter concepts, when needed for various kind of military missions.
• Research on key technologies for next generation VTOL platforms.