Indra launches ‘FCAS Challenge to involve Spanish startups and SMEs in the development of European air combat system disruptive technologies.
~
Press Release, Madrid, 23 October 2023: In its aim to drive and boost the innovative capacity of the entire Spanish industrial ecosystem to the full, Indra has launched ‘The FCAS Challenge’, a call for Spanish technological startups and SMEs to contribute to the challenge of developing emerging and disruptive technologies within the framework of the FCAS, the programme developing the future European air combat system for which Indra is the national industrial coordinator.
The call, which opened today, October 23, will last until December 22. The purpose of ‘The FCAS Challenge’ is to attract small and medium-sized enterprises with cutting-edge technologies and highly innovative projects in order to collaborate in the development, promotion and maturation of their technological proposals, based on the following topics:
- Mission Sensors. Technology for the sensorisation of the future combat air systems (radar, electronic warfare, electro-optics, digital and software-defined sensors, etc.)
- Signal Intelligence. Signal processing to convert information into knowledge (RF signals, optical signals, images, sensor fusion, etc.)
- Smart Communications. Smart and secure communication systems for the new generation of airborne platforms
- Combat Cloud. Distributed services for combat air systems with a collaborative approach
Artificial Intelligence, data management in distributed clouds, technologies for low-observability sensors, simulation and representation of information, optical technologies, radio frequency (RF) and microwaves are just some of the most attractive technologies for the initiative.
“Indra, as the programme’s national coordinator, is taking on the challenge of structuring a new collaboration model and creating a highly innovative national defence ecosystem, one that also attracts small and medium-sized enterprises, universities, spin-offs and research organisations, bodies that have not always been part of the industry. Our goal is to maximise innovation and the development of currently unimaginable disruptive technologies which, in many cases, will have a dual military and civilian application”, emphasised Daniel de Lorenzo, Business Director of Indra’s FCAS programme.
The FCAS programme is the largest collaborative defence programme in Europe and involves Germany, France and Spain. It’s a system of systems consisting of a new-generation fighter teamed up with a series of remote operators, all of them connected and working as a single entity thanks to the combat cloud, which interconnects the ensemble and other air, ground, naval and satellite platforms in real time. The result will be a paradigm shift in the sector with a major technological and industrial impact.
The FCAS Challenge intends to hold an event in January, during which a jury of experts will announce the selected proposals that will be able to undertake collaboration with Indra within the framework of the programme.
~
