Remote Defence Unmanned & Autonomous Systems Take Hold in Military Toolboxes

2018 I ISSUE #16

EUROPEAN DEFENCE MATTERS Remote Defence Unmanned & autonomous systems take hold in military toolboxes

> INDUSTRY TALK > SPOTLIGHT > FOCUS ON Dassault Aviation CEO CARD Trial Run EDA Defence Eric Trappier shares his views Report 2018 Innovation Prize CONTENTS

WELCOME 3

COVER STORY: UNMANNED & AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS IN DEFENCE > Introduction and overview 4 > Current trends, challenges and opportunities in the various defence domains > Land: Paving the way for autonomy in land systems 6 > Maritime: Making waves 10 > Air: Change is in the air 13 > Space: The future needs space 16 > Cyber: Cyber resilience, a prerequisite for autonomous systems – and vice versa 19 > Interview with Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier on the industrial challenges and opportunities related to unmanned and autonomous systems in defence 22 > Regulator’s View: Interview with EASA Executive Director Patrick Ky on the regulatory and safety-related challenges of unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) 26 04 © Leonardo > Operational View: Interview with EUMC Chairman General Graziano on the current and potential future operational impact of unmanned and autonomous systems 28

IN THE SPOTLIGHT > CARD Trial Run Report presented to Ministers 30

FOCUS > First EDA Defence Innovation Prizes awarded 34 > New edition of European Military Airworthiness Certification Criteria Handbook published 36 06 10 © Milrem Robotics © Saab AB IN THE FIELD > First European Air-to-Air Refuelling Conference held in Brussels 38

Editor-in-Chief CONTACTS Helmut Brüls Helmut Brüls Design Media & Communication Officer Simon Smith Associates 13 16 European Defence Agency © Airbus Defence and Space © ESA–P. Carril Printing Rue des Drapiers 17-23 Drukkerij Hendrix NV B-1050 Brussels Kiezel Kleine-Brogel 55, B-3990 Peer www.eda.europa.eu Belgium Contact: [email protected] This document is published by EDA in the interests of exchange of information Catalogue number QU-AC-18-001-EN-N Front cover image; © Dassault Aviation. Other images; EDA, Shutterstock ISSN (2443-5511)

EDA is a member of the European Military Press Association © European Defence Agency (EDA) November 2018. All rights reserved. The entire contents of this 19 publication are protected by copyright. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a © Bundeswehr retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means: electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of EDA. The reproduction of advertisements in this publication does not in any way imply endorsement of their content by EDA. The views We hope this magazine will provide valuable food for thought expressed in the articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policy of EDA. and information about EDA’s work. Should you have comments or recommendations, please get in touch: [email protected]

2 www.eda.europa.eu WELCOME Great potential, many challenges They are omnipresent in our daily lives and their potential keeps growing: smart machines and applications able to autonomously carry out tasks hitherto reserved for humans – from cutting grass to cleaning floors and driving cars. Certain autonomous functionalities have already made their way into the military domain where their possibilities are immense. The question is not IF unmanned and autonomous platforms will become key components of our defence toolboxes, but HOW Member States, armed forces and industry decide to prepare 22 for what could be a technological, potentially disruptive step change for defence. © Dassault Aviation -V. Almansa The fact that unmanned/autonomous related aspects are included in several of the 11 EU Capability Development Priorities approved last June bodes well for the future as it shows that national and European defence planners agree on their enormous potential.

In this special edition of European Defence Matters, designed to introduce and nurture the debate at this year’s European Defence Agency (EDA) Annual Conference (29 November 2018) on “From Unmanned to Autonomous Systems: trends, challenges and opportunities”, our editorial team looks at the extent to which unmanned and autonomous applications are already used in the various military domains (land, air, maritime, space, cyber) and what their main challenges and opportunities are, now and in the future. They also touch upon EDA’s work supporting Member States and industry in this new domain, from research to capability development. The industrial, regulatory and military/operational viewpoints are also represented through a series of interviews. I am particularly grateful to Eric Trappier (Dassault Aviation CEO), Patrick Ky (EASA Executive Director) and General Graziano (EUMC Chairman) for 30 having agreed to share their views with our readership. © EU Council of Ministers Let me conclude with an important remark. Considering the political, legal and also ethical aspects involved, it is worthwhile stressing that the use of force must always abide by international law (including International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law) and that this also applies to unmanned and autonomous weapon systems which must always remain under human control. Political, legal or ethical considerations related to fully autonomous weapons capable of taking decisions on life and death without humans in the loop are not assessed in this magazine, nor will they be addressed at EDA’s Annual Conference, because they are outside the Agency’s mission, work scope and competencies. Political discussions are underway in the appropriate fora (including the UN and the EU) to define common principles and boundaries for the military use of artificial intelligence and autonomous weapons. It is important, and urgent, that the research community and industry are provided with the required clarity about the limits in which they can explore the contribution unmanned and autonomous systems could make to strengthen Member States’ defence capabilities, and with them European defence. 36 Jorge Domecq © Italian Air Force EDA Chief Executive

EUROPEAN DEFENCE MATTERS I 2018 I Issue #16 3 COVER STORY: REMOTE DEFENCE

From unmanned to (more) autonomous systems

Over the past decade, unmanned systems have become regular features in military operations. The extensive use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), in particular, has turned the spotlight on the huge operational benefits those systems can have, with a potential scope of action extending far into the land and maritime domains and even to space and cyber- related activities. We are probably only at the beginning of a new technological (r)evolution as unmanned systems will get ever more autonomous with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cognitive computing. For defence capability planners, developers and operators, this means a lot of new challenges but also opportunities. In the following pages, we assess some of those challenges and opportunities in the land, maritime, air, space and cyber domains respectively and ask the views of industry, regulators and military commanders.

4 www.eda.europa.eu UNMANNED & AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS IN THE OPERATIONAL DOMAIN

LAND: Paving the way for autonomy in land systems 6 MARITIME: Making waves 10 AIR: Change is in the air 13 SPACE: The future needs space 16 CYBER: Cyber resilience, a prerequisite for autonomous systems – and vice versa 19

INDUSTRY VIEW Dassault CEO Eric Trappier: “Unmanned systems are a key capability in today’s operational environment” 22

REGULATOR’S VIEW EASA Executive Director Patrick Ky: “EASA cooperates with defence stakeholders on insertion of large military UAS in European airspace” 26

OPERATIONAL VIEW EUMC Chairman General Claudio Graziano: “RPAS can effectively contribute to EU-led military and civilian operations” 28 © Leonardo

EUROPEAN DEFENCE MATTERS I 2018 I Issue #16 5 Autonomy of unmanned ground vehicles is today still limited to simple functions like ‘follow me’ and waypoint navigation © Milrem Robotics © Milrem

6 www.eda.europa.eu REMOTE DEFENCE: GROUND SYSTEMS Paving the way for autonomy in land systems In the land domain, weapon systems with autonomous functions are well established assets used by Armed Forces to enhance soldier or camp protection. Their technological potential is considerable, as are the challenges they face.

The best known defence system with once activated, do not require human an unmanned vehicle uses GPS, radar, visual autonomous functionality currently intervention. or electromagnetic signatures or radio links to deployed by the Armed Forces is the Active follow the lead vehicle or defined/learnt path. Protection System (APS) for armoured A challenge: autonomy for unmanned vehicles, which autonomously destroys ground vehicles Soldier protection incoming anti-tank missiles, rockets or To date, unmanned ground systems are From an operational point of view, the projectiles. To be able to do that, APS usually used for explosive detection and objectives for using such autonomous combines either radar-based or infrared (IR) disposal or reconnaissance of terrains functions are usually to: sensors which detect incoming projectiles or buildings. In both cases, robots are • decrease exposure for soldiers in with a fire control system that can track, tele-operated and remotely controlled by dangerous zones by replacing drivers evaluate and classify threat scenarios. human operators (although some robots with unmanned vehicles or driverless kits could perform simple tasks like point-to- with autonomous following function in The entire process, from detection to tracking point movement without constant human convoys, or and engagement, is fully automatised as help). “The reason why human intervention human intervention would only slow it remains crucial is that unmanned ground • provide support to troops in remote down or make a timely response impossible vehicles face tremendous difficulties when areas. altogether. Human operators simply couldn’t operating autonomously in difficult and Both functions commonly rely on a act quickly enough to authorise or even unpredictable terrain. Having a vehicle so-called ‘avoid obstacle’ feature to supervise the required response. However, moving autonomously on a battlefield where prevent collisions with obstacles. Due to APSs are always pre-programmed in such it has to circumvent obstacles, cross moving the complex topography and shape of a way that users can anticipate the exact objects and face enemy fire is much more certain land areas (hills, valleys, rivers, circumstances under which the system will complex – due to unpredictability – than trees, etc.), the waypoint navigation have to engage and respond, and in which using an autonomous weapons system system used in land platforms has to cases it shouldn’t. The type of threats that such as the afore-mentioned APS”, says include LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) will trigger an APS response are known in Marek Kalbarczyk, EDA’s Project Officer Land capabilities, or be able to use pre-loaded advance or at least predictable with a high Systems Technologies. Therefore, autonomy maps. However, since LiDAR relies on degree of certainty. of unmanned ground vehicles is today still active sensors, and therefore is easy limited to simple functions like ‘follow me’ and to detect, the research focus is now Similar principals also determine the waypoint navigation. The ‘follow me’ function shifting towards passive vision-based functioning of other autonomous land can be used either by unmanned vehicles to systems. Pre-loaded maps are sufficient weapon systems like Counter Rocket, follow another unmanned/manned vehicle or though when unmanned vehicles operate Artillery and Mortars (C-RAM) systems a soldier, while waypoint navigation allows a in well-known environments for which used to protect military bases in war vehicle to use the co-ordinates (as defined detailed maps are already available (for zones. Both APS and C-RAMs can thus be by an operator or learnt by the system) to instance when used to monitor and protect considered as autonomous systems which, reach its desired destination. In both cases borders or critical infrastructures).

EUROPEAN DEFENCE MATTERS I 2018 I Issue #16 7 REMOTE DEFENCE: GROUND SYSTEMS

However, LiDAR is imperative for waypoint 2. Technical: The potential benefits navigation every time unmanned vehicles of unmanned ground vehicles with have to enter complex and unpredictable autonomous functions are considerable, environments. The problem is that LiDAR but so are the technical hurdles still to has its limits too, i.e. that its reliability can overcome. Depending on the envisaged only be guaranteed for unmanned vehicles mission, unmanned ground vehicles can operating in semi-complex terrain. be equipped with different payload suites (sensors for ISR or CBRN monitoring and Hence the need for further research and detection, manipulators for explosives © Bundeswehr - Jana Neumann development in this domain. To that end, handing or weapon systems, navigation several technology demonstrators have and guidance systems...), intelligence been developed – for example ADM-H or kits, operator control suites and control The increased use EuroSWARM – with a view to exploring, hardware. This means that several enabling testing and demonstrating more advanced technologies, such as decision making/ of unmanned and functions, including autonomous navigation cognitive computing, human machine autonomous land or cooperation of unmanned systems. These interaction, computer vision, state of battery demonstrators, however, are still at an early technologies or collaborative intelligence, systems will require research phase. are absolutely critical. In particular, changes in the unstructured and contested environments Many challenges ahead pose huge challenges to both navigation and military educational Limited LiDAR is not the only challenge that guidance sensors. Here, the way forward has system too, to unmanned ground vehicles are facing. to include the development of new sensors properly train system According to the Unmanned Ground Systems (quantum positioning, ultra-cold atom Landscaping and Integration Study (UGS LIS), interferometers, smart G&C actuators…) operators funded by the European Defence Agency and techniques such as decentralised (EDA), as well as another EDA-financed study and cooperative SLAM (Simultaneous on the ‘Identification of all major technical Localization and Mapping) and 3D mapping, control); Navigation in GNSS denied and safety requirements for military relative navigation, advanced hybridisation environment; Autonomous and automated unmanned vehicle to operate in combined and data-fusion of available sensors as GNC and Decision Making techniques for manned-unmanned mission’ (SafeMUVe), well as vision/IR aided mobility. The problem manned and unmanned systems; Multi- the challenges and opportunities can be is not so much of a technological nature – robot Control and Cooperation; Precision divided into five different categories: because most of these technologies are guidance and control of weapons; Active already used in civilian applications – but imaging systems; Artificial Intelligence and 1. Operational: There are plenty of rather of a regulatory order. Indeed, such Big Data for Decision Making Support. potential missions that can be envisaged technologies cannot immediately be used for unmanned ground vehicles with for military purposes as they need to be Each TBB is owned by a dedicated panel autonomous functions (communication adapted to specific military requirements. (called CapTech) composed of governmental, node, area surveillance, zone and route research and industrial experts. Each reconnaissance, casualty extraction, CBRN Against this backdrop, the EDA’s Overarching CapTech will develop a roadmap for each TBB. reconnaissance, follower mule, convoying for Strategic Research Agenda (OSRA) is a the distribution of supplies, route clearance, tool that can deliver this missing piece. 3. Normative/Legal: An important obstacle etc.), but operational concepts to back and Under OSRA, several so-called Technology for the introduction of autonomous systems underpin these are still lacking. It is therefore Building Blocks (TBBs) are being developed, in defence is the lack of suitable verification difficult for developers of unmanned ground addressing technology gaps related to and evaluation procedures or certification vehicles with autonomous functions to unmanned ground vehicles, for instance: processes which can be used to prove that develop systems which for sure will meet – Manned/unmanned teaming, adaptive even the most basic unmanned ground military requirements. Creating a forum or cooperation between man and unmanned vehicle with autonomous functions is able to working group of defence users of unmanned system with different levels of autonomy; operate correctly and safely, even in hostile ground systems with autonomous functions Health and usage monitoring; Novel User and complex environments. In the civil could solve this problem. Interfaces for Soldier (assets integration/ domain, self-driving cars are facing the same

8 www.eda.europa.eu © Patria

Patria AMV Vehicles during the Autonomous Vehicle Convoy Test at ELROB 2018 (Patria AMV 8x8 High Roof Version followed by autonomous Patria AMV 8x8) problems. According to EDA’s SafeMUVe will require changes in the military time. Specific technology aspects such as study, the main gaps identified with respect educational system too, to properly train mapping, path planning, vehicle following, to specific standards/best practices are system operators. Especially, military staff or obstacle avoidance were developed concentrated in the modules related to need to understand the technical principals in collaborative research projects like the higher layer of autonomy, namely of a system’s autonomy to ensure they SAM-UGV or HyMUP, both of them jointly ‘Automation’ and ‘Data fusion’ aspects. can properly operate and control it when funded by France and Germany. Modules such as ‘Environment perception’, necessary. Building trust between a user ‘Localization & mapping’, ‘Supervision’ and an autonomous system is a prerequisite The SAM-UGV project aimed to develop an (Decision-making), ‘Motion planning’, etc. for the wider use of unmanned ground autonomous technology demonstrator are still in mid technology readiness levels systems with higher autonomous functions. based on a mobile land system platform and (TRLs), and although several solutions and characterised by a modular architecture algorithms exist to perform the different 5. Financial: Whereas commercial global both in hardware and software. In particular, tasks, no standards are yet available. In players like Uber, Google, Tesla or Toyota the technology demonstrator proved the this sense, there is also a gap in terms are investing billions of Euros in developing concept of scalable autonomy (switching of verification and certification of these self-driving cars, military spending on between tele-operation, semi-autonomous modules, partly addressed by the EU funded unmanned ground systems is much and autonomous behaviour). The SAM-UGV European Initiative to Enable Validation more modest, and fragmented too, as project was further developed under the for Highly Automated Safe and Secure Member States have their own national HyMUP project which proved the feasibility Systems (ENABLE-S3) project. The recent development plans. The EU Preparatory of mounted combat missions of unmanned establishment, by the EDA Steering Board, of Action on Defence Research (PADR) and the systems, in coordination with regular a Land Test Centres Network of Excellence future European Defence Fund should help manned vehicles. (LTE) is a first step in the right direction. The consolidate funding and support a European LTE allows national test centres to undertake collaborative research approach to develop Additionally, the protection of autonomous joint initiatives in view of preparing the unmanned ground systems with more systems against enemy interference, testing of future technologies, such as advanced autonomous functions. safety requirements for combined manned- automotive systems and robotics. unmanned mission and the standardisation EDA work of UGVs are currently being addressed 4. Personnel: The increased use of EDA has already been active in the in EDA’s PASEI project, as well as in the unmanned and autonomous land systems unmanned systems land domain for some SafeMUVe and SUGV studies respectively.

EUROPEAN DEFENCE MATTERS I 2018 I Issue #16#15 219 REMOTE DEFENCE: MARITIME Making waves Unmanned Maritime Systems are a key component in the modernisation and transformation of naval forces, offering the opportunity to reshape and change the way navies are structured and operate, resulting in more agile and networked forces.

Unmanned maritime systems (UMS) are The impact of fully autonomous systems having a significant impact on the nature is considered to be so extensive that any of warfare globally. With an increased area of defence that misses out on this availability of, and price decrease in, particular technological leap will also miss components and technologies that can be out on the technological evolutions of used in military systems more and more the future. Unmanned and autonomous have the ability to complete a task without state and non-state actors are gaining systems can be used in the military domain direct human intervention, using behaviours access to the world’s seas. Recent years to execute complex and exacting missions, resulting from the interaction of computer have seen a proliferation of UMS in the especially in environments that are hostile programming with the external environment. maritime domain and so it is imperative and unpredictable, and the maritime domain that programmes and projects be pursued perfectly illustrates this. The maritime world It can be argued that the applicability of that ensure navies possess the requisite is challenging, often unmapped and difficult UMS to naval operations surpasses its technologies and capabilities to guarantee to navigate and these systems can be used usage in any other military domain due to the safe and free navigation of the seas. to negate some of these challenges. They the hostility, unpredictability and size of

The maritime world is challenging, often unmapped and difficult to navigate and unmanned systems can be used to negate some of these challenges

10 www.eda.europa.eu © Saab AB the maritime environment. This complexity artificial intelligence, software and are used to augment existing human has ensured that every significant form wireless networks all continue to develop capabilities for the success of the mission. of progress in the conquest of the seas rapidly. These advances offer additional “It is not a question of putting humans has required a strong will and the mastery opportunities to make a wider variety of versus machines, but rather to take of the most sophisticated scientific and autonomous systems that are smaller, advantage of the benefits machines can technological applications. This has always cheaper and able to operate in swarms bring to make personnel more effective”, been the key to success. to overwhelm adversary defences. This explains Paul O’Brian, the European ability to function autonomously would Defence Agency’s (EDA’s) Project Officer for UMS are becoming a more common feature therefore allow systems to reach their Naval Systems Technology. of navies and they are being primarily goals, even in unpredictable and utilised in a non-lethal capacity such as mine unstructured environments such as Embracing new technologies countermeasures, Intelligence, Surveillance undersea landscapes, with a wide range There still exists a challenge relating to the and Reconnaissance (ISR) and intelligence of benefits such as the faster execution of adoption and integration of UMS into the gathering in the maritime environment. tasks, higher level of readiness, increased naval defence framework. The success Furthermore, it is in the underwater domain coordination and synchronisation with of this is not only dependent on the that UMS have the greatest potential for other platforms and increased redundancy, development or acquisition of technology adoption and utilisation. The undersea range and persistence. but also on organisational structures, domain is becoming more fiercely the prevailing culture and the operational contested, with increased competition for There is a perception that the principle paradigms and tactics that need to be maritime resources and the continuing need benefit of UMS is the removal of personnel modernised. Referring back to the undersea to preserve sea lines of communication. from the battlefield and the introduction environment, commanders are accustomed, of a direct machine replacement. In more than their colleagues in other domains, Many opportunities, but also consideration of unmanned systems and to delegating tasks to assets that need challenges developments in autonomy these systems neither constant monitoring nor control, The underlying technologies that support should be viewed as complementary to as this could be detrimental to success autonomous systems, including robotics, personnel, where the benefits of autonomy rather than beneficial. The subsea culture

EUROPEAN DEFENCE MATTERS I 2018 I Issue #16 11 REMOTE DEFENCE: MARITIME

Leonardo V-Fides wire-guidable vehicle for underwater identification & detection used both as ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle) and AUV (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle) would thus appear to be the most receptive coordinated swarm effect and facilitates Combat Management Systems (CMS) to autonomous unmanned vehicles. the coordination of patrols composed of and in open architectures and sensor different self-adaptive systems. improvements. The project will culminate in EU Capability Development Priority two demonstrations, in the Mediterranean Underwater control, comprised of Mine OCEAN2020 and Baltic seas. These events will show Warfare, Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) OCEAN2020 (Open Cooperation for European how innovative solutions for fusion of and Harbour Protection, has been identified mAritime awareNess), funded by the multiple data sources can be integrated as one of the eleven 2018 EU Capability European Commission’s Preparatory Action with CMS into a secure network to create Development Priorities which were on Defence Research and implemented by a recognised maritime scenario. It will also developed through EDA and approved by EDA, represents the ambition and vision of show how collaborative autonomy between Member States in June 2018. Collaborative a European maritime initiative to respond multi-domain unmanned vehicles can efforts to date have largely focussed to the above-mentioned challenges. provide a force multiplier. on the development of technologies for The project has the principle objective Mine Counter Measures activities, as of demonstrating enhanced situational evidenced by EDA’s UMS programme. ASW awareness in a maritime environment The applicability remains complex due to the nature of the through the integration of legacy and new platforms operating under the surface, technologies for UMS, ISTAR payloads and of UMS to naval and developments have been less visible effectors, by pulling together the technical operations in this area of warfare. However, UMS offer specialists in the maritime domain covering significant force multiplication options the ‘observing, orienting, deciding and surpasses its usage for ASW operations. This is particularly acting’ operational tasks. in any other military pertinent given the increasing proliferation of submarines and smaller submarines OCEAN2020 will pursue improvements in domain due to the that can operate more easily in littoral Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), Unmanned hostility, zones. UMS can serve as offboard sensors, Surface Vehicles (USVs) and Unmanned unpredictability and extending the range of detection without the Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) engaged in corresponding increase in risk. Additionally, the project with the objective of achieving size of the maritime and as discussed previously, the capability higher autonomy, launch and recovery environment to launch multiple vehicles provides a capabilities, integration in existing ships

12 www.eda.europa.eu REMOTE DEFENCE: AERIAL SYSTEMS Change is in the air Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) are well-established in most European military forces where their operational benefits are both valued and exploited to the full: enhanced endurance, reduced risks to aircrew, an extended flight envelope due to the non-existence of human constraints, are examples. Does this mean they are the total panacea to modernise and improve national air capabilities? To answer this, we need to look at the pros and cons viewed from several different perspectives for today and looking ahead to the future.

Removing the pilot from the platform situations is a powerful control that can only compromise can be made on safety related has obvious benefits but can also create partially be replaced by technology. functions. In turn, this also means that no new problems. Payload, for instance, is a instant budgetary savings can be expected prominent limiting factor when it comes While sophisticated on-board systems might as a result. to endurance and operational range but is react faster, they are by no means cheap offset by the need to install autonomous and even with advanced technology can “Air Traffic Insertion (ATI) is another important enabling systems with appropriate levels still be fallible, even in simple but unfamiliar aspect to be taken into account. In the ATI of redundancy. Furthermore, having a pilot circumstances. Finally, because the safety area, where the European Defence Agency onboard who can make quick and effective of the other airspace users and of the people (EDA) supports the on-going European decisions in a multitude of unforeseen on the ground must be fully guaranteed, no MALE RPAS development, the system © Leonardo

EUROPEAN DEFENCE MATTERS I 2018 I Issue #16 13 REMOTE DEFENCE: AERIAL SYSTEMS

The European MALE RPAS is the first unmanned aerial system designed for flight in non-segregated airspace, its characteristics will include mission modularity for operational superiority in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, both wide area and in-theatre

specification – and more specifically its Finally, in a peacetime environment, the addressed and fixed before a wide range of safety levels – must match or even exceed challenge is also to integrate such a unmanned aerial systems can realise their the performances of a manned system,” says platform alongside the manned aircraft full operational potential. Jean-Youri Marty, EDA Deputy Director & Head within a modernised European ATM system of Unit Air Domain. These are well identified which will be a fully interconnected system As discussed previously, ensuring a safe technical issues addressed by EDA Members enabled by a progressive increase of the air traffic integration of Unmanned Aerial States through cooperative projects such as level of automation support. Systems (UAS) into controlled airspace (and MIDCAS (Detect and Avoid) and ERA (RPAS also into non-controlled airspace) as well Automation), but there is still some work to be That said, the afore-mentioned operational as providing adequate cyber-protection done to prepare future systems. benefits are a reality and make unmanned of systems (which are by design highly aerial vehicles (UAVs) truly valuable assets. connected) are among the key challenges With a growing level of autonomy, especially As a consequence, the numbers of UAVs in the to tackle. when leveraged by Artificial Intelligence inventories of Member States’ Armed Forces (AI), RPAS will also challenge the approach are expected to grow significantly over the Independence from third (non-EU) countries to verification in the aviation environment, coming years, be it for ISR (Intelligence, and companies also has to be guaranteed to currently not adapted for the certification Surveillance and Reconnaissance) missions ensure Europe can achieve the appropriate of non-deterministic systems. This issue with systems ranging from micro-UAV to level of strategic autonomy that is required has been identified as one of the key large, high-altitude platforms or for deep in this crucially important defence capability priorities to be addressed through the EDA strike combat missions carried out with domain. This is exactly what EU Member Industry Exchange Platform on RPAS Air low-observable Unmanned Combat Aerial States are doing by developing cooperative Traffic Insertion which has been established Vehicles (UCAVs). projects to come up with cutting-edge to steer the discussion between EDA, its European technical solutions. Member States, European industry and Issues to be addressed to explore the stakeholders for the identification of the new full potential of UAVs Providing suitable and comprehensive research projects required to ensure the full Nevertheless, many technological, regulatory mission training and opportunities for integration of RPAS in European airspace. and training-related challenges are still to be tactical development and building a shared

14 www.eda.europa.eu RPAS technologies are evolving rapidly. As the volume of real-time flight information available is skyrocketing, the need to assist the pilot or the operator in his decision-making is also growing

of 10 generic, desktop simulators across Other scenarios in which RPAS can benefit national RPAS centres of excellence and from autonomous capabilities include schools. The system is linked over a private emergency situations where multiple network which will allow basic tactical failures (loss of communication links, training and communication between in particular) are involved. In such an sites so that approaches to training emergency situation, the aircraft will still and teaching protocols can be shared, be able to react and behave in a timely and procedures streamlined/standardised and predictable way despite the unpredictable best practices identified by all participants. environment, ensuring the safety of other The demonstrator will run until 2021 but its airspace users as well as the people and © Airbus Defence and Space practical benefits will remain and further property on the ground. operational culture can also be challenging develop in the longer term, as building trust as RPAS units are – unlike conventional and understanding is the ultimate enabler Cooperative approach to emerging air force squadrons – often isolated and for improved coalition capability. RPAS-related challenges is crucial geographically separated from their coalition The relevance of UAVs for defence goes partners with little opportunity for cross- Step by step towards autonomous systems beyond large RPAS, like MALE systems, pollination of ideas or to build professional RPAS technologies are evolving rapidly. As because more and more sophisticated relationships. Moreover, many training the volume of real-time flight information micro and mini UAV systems are being regimes are highly platform specific and may available is skyrocketing, the need to assist exploited by a large spectrum of users, be bound by intellectual property rights (IPR) the pilot or the operator in his decision- including some with malicious intent. Those and contractual restrictions that can restrict making is also growing. Today’s technologies systems are already (and increasingly) a interoperability between platform types. make this possible: auto-pilot functions, threat to Member States’ Armed Forces. anti-collision systems, real-time flight plan Developing a response to this specific EMALE RPAS Community Working Group adjustment systems to avoid turbulent threat is now a must. Tackling this challenge The European Medium Altitude, Long areas are already assisting pilots in their job. through a cooperative approach is more Endurance, (EMALE RPAS) Community The next technological step would be the than ever needed as it would enable Working Group is chaired by EDA and, automation of the decision-making itself, Member States to synchronise their together with the European Air Group leading gradually to autonomous systems. national efforts with a view to delivering (EAG), supports Member States’ efforts to common solutions which are quick, efficient resolve some of these issues. Since 2016, As technology progresses (especially in and interoperable. the Working Group and the EAG have been terms of computing power and AI), we will looking to improve communication and see an increase in the automation level for Whatever the level of autonomy Member interoperability between their national RPAS certain functionalities potentially reaching States will decide to choose for their communities through regulator meetings fully autonomous capabilities for specific unmanned aerial systems, “a cooperative looking at doctrine, operational procedures, scenarios. Removing the human from the approach to proactively manage such training, logistics and maintenance domains loop therefore becomes a technological potential projects in an EU context would for synergies and opportunities to pool and option and might even be considered in certainly make sense, to take full advantage share resources. The latest initiative is a cases where communication networks fail of technological progress while remaining low-cost training technology demonstrator or short reaction times (not compatible with in full control of the evolution in a coherent project, which will see the deployment satellite communication links) are crucial. way across Europe,” Mr Marty concludes.

EUROPEAN DEFENCE MATTERS I 2018 I Issue #16 15 The future needs space Space services supporting unmanned and autonomous applications must guarantee full protection against any intruder © ESA–Stephane Corvaja © ESA–Stephane

16 www.eda.europa.eu REMOTE DEFENCE: SPACE The future needs space Space-based support has become almost indispensable for the military use of unmanned and autonomous applications, in particular when other (ground-based) services are unavailable or unreliable.

The revised 2018 Capability Development direct human interaction (autonomous • Jamming and interference. Additionally, Plan (CDP) with its 11 EU Capability systems). The autonomous functionality space services must be resilient to Development Priorities clearly reflects the applies either throughout the whole interference and must offer technical and indispensability of space as an enabler for operation or takes effect under emergency procedural means to quickly remedy any the use of unmanned and autonomous circumstances, for instance when the interference that occurs on a service systems in defence. Unmanned maritime control link to the ground operator is provided. Space system operators have to high-end platforms, for instance, which have disrupted. Hence the need for unmanned be able to identify the location and type of just been identified as a European priority to and autonomous systems to constantly rely the interference or jamming source in order achieve maritime surface superiority on strong telecommunication capabilities, to take immediate and appropriate action. through long endurance at sea, are just one perfect situational awareness and precise • Interception and intrusion. Space services example where support from space-based and accurate PNT services. supporting unmanned and autonomous applications has become critical. applications must guarantee full This poses a variety of challenges for space protection against any intruder trying to Equally, a whole range of other unmanned operators, notably: intercept transmitted data and systems already used by the Armed Forces • Assured access. Users of unmanned and information. This particular risk needs to – such as Medium Altitude Long Endurance autonomous defence systems need to be assessed throughout the process Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (MALE have guaranteed access to the space leading to the delivery of the space RPAS), smaller Unmanned Aerial Vehicles services or resources they rely on, at all services. It requires a truly holistic (UAVs) or even micro-drones, – will times and to the full extent. This means approach which has to encompass the basically not be able to deploy and project that these services cannot be ground and space segments of the their Information, Surveillance and appropriated by other users or third system, the deployed technologies, the Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. “If those parties. Also, recovery functions to quickly industrial processes, the launch and systems don’t have access to strong and restore broken communication links need operations of the satellites, and the users. resilient space telecommunication systems, to be an integral part of the systems. Satellites and payloads hosting space space situational awareness tools and Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) support provided by satellites, they are simply not operational”, says Holger Lueschow, EDA’s Programme Manager Satellite Communication.

In a nutshell: they all are heavily dependent on space-based support.

Challenges and opportunities The very nature of unmanned and autonomous systems is that they operate without the presence of humans in the cockpit or on the platform. They are either © ESA/ATG medialab ground-controlled by operators (unmanned systems) or guided by a process without The Copernicus programme can deliver benefits to both civilian and military sectors

EUROPEAN DEFENCE MATTERS I 2018 I Issue #16 17 REMOTE DEFENCE: SPACE

services need to be protected against any type of attempt to break into the satellite and payload control systems, including the Command and Control (C2) links of the satellite, the on-board processors and the ground control and mission components. • Dependence on third parties. Specific attention needs to be paid to the risk of space projects becoming dependent on third parties (Third States and/or non-EU Organisations). Due to the sensitivity of national or European defence missions and operations in which unmanned and autonomous systems are used, such a dependency may not be acceptable as it could hamper Member States’ and the EU’s autonomy of action. © ESA–P. Carril Galileo/EGNOS, Copernicus and GOVSATCOM Although Galileo/EGNOS is a civilian programme, it could also benefit the Armed Forces The European Union and its Member States are taking these challenges seriously. They several space projects in place to support actors with reliable and guaranteed access have established an EU-owned positioning, existing and future unmanned and to satellite communication in a resilient and navigation and timing capability (Galileo/ autonomous systems. secure context, along with the use of EGNOS) and set up an EU space-based earth unmanned and autonomous systems. This observation programme (Copernicus). For example, in the air domain, Remotely is a cost-efficient solution, because it will Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) carrying out avoid a situation in which each Member Another important proposal is currently air and maritime surveillance missions, State operates its own national secure under consideration: the EU initiative on require Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) satellite communication project. Governmental Satellite Communication communication capabilities which can only (GOVSATCOM). With the EU GOVSATCOM be provided through satellite communication Another key benefit of the EDA GOVSATCOM project, secure and guaranteed access links. There are two distinct types of satellite project is that it contributes to the to satellite communications will be provided communications to be considered for RPAS; harmonisation of European military’s needs for EU security and defence actors. the first relates to the RPAS operation – and requirements for secure satellite the Command and Non-Payload communication. Thus, this project works Although Galileo/EGNOS is a civilian Communications (CNPC) link, and the second against the fragmentation of a demand programme, Member States’ military users relates to its payload (sensor data transfer for such services and will also contribute and the European Commission are expanding link). Whilst the CNPC link has a limited to the EU GOVSATCOM project. their cooperation to identify potential Galileo/ bandwidth with a very robust waveform, the EGNOS services which could also benefit the data link requires a relatively high bandwidth As regards EDA’s activities in the field of PNT, Armed Forces. and the payload needs to be controlled. Member States recently identified the requirements relating to military PNT and Under the EU Copernicus civilian programme, EDA has also established a GOVSATCOM mandated EDA to act as facilitator for the EU the specific ’Support to External Action’ Pooling & Sharing Demonstration project to Member States’ MoDs in the EU Galileo/ service is able to deliver products that can be support, among others, this RPAS EGNOS programme. of interest to EU military users and EU requirement. The underlying concept of this operations. On the other hand, EU GOVSATCOM project is that EDA Member States operating Even though, at this stage, the military is perceived as a dual-use capability and its national satellite communication assets will requirements of confidentiality, availability intention is to support civilian and military make their excess capacities available to and integrity cannot be totally guaranteed user communities for crisis management, other interested EDA Member States who by Copernicus services, EDA and the surveillance and key infrastructures. don’t possess their own governmental European Commission (based on the EDA resources. mandate on Space-Based Earth EDA space activities supporting unmanned Observation) have started to increase their and autonomous systems The project has clear objectives: providing interactions in order to identify potential In parallel with these EU initiatives, the Member States’ Armed Forces and European common interests in the future, beyond European Defence Agency (EDA) has put Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) 2025-2030.

18 www.eda.europa.eu REMOTE DEFENCE: CYBER SYSTEMS

Cyber resilience, a prerequisite for autonomous

systems – and vice versa © Bundeswehr

With defence capabilities increasingly interconnected, strong cyber resilience becomes ever more important. Military platforms, in all domains, must rely on communication networks protected against all types of cyber threats. This is particularly true for unmanned and autonomous systems. Conversely, autonomous systems shaped like intelligent agents tend to become indispensable for achieving the required high level of cyber resilience.

Autonomous cyber response capabilities rely tasks, following a ‘system engineering’ protection requirements and military on a smart use of emerging technologies such approach is essential”, explains Salvador engineering needs (system design, life as machine learning, Internet of Things (IoT) Llopis Sanchez, the European Defence cycle management, etc.) simultaneously and Big Data. “To ensure that autonomous Agency’s (EDA’s) project officer for cyber and in a coordinated manner, approaching systems used by our Armed Forces are both defence technologies. the related system architectures with a cyber resilient – a functionality which allows security-centric mindset at the early stages a dynamic endurance when a cyber-attack In practical terms, it means that military of new developments. Artificial Intelligence occurs – and able to perform their military capability developers must handle cyber (AI) may provide clues on how to build

EUROPEAN DEFENCE MATTERS I 2018 I Issue #16 19 REMOTE DEFENCE: CYBER SYSTEMS

Europe needs to enhance its defence capabilities, taking into account that each operational domain (land, air, sea, space) has its own cyber-related challenges

robust security system architectures by Some autonomous cyber defence tools identifying security design flaws. A system using intelligent agents already exist today, engineering approach is needed to enforce monitoring network activities and ready to the compliance of all aspects of the final trigger immediate action when anomalous capability with mission specifications, behaviour is detected. Early malware validated and verified against user detection, crucial for cyber risk mitigation, is requirements. considered a high-potential activity in which autonomous systems shaped like intelligent Given that more and more defence agents deployed in cyberspace could excel products are developed, produced and in the future. The advantage is to provide a commercialised off-the-shelf solutions prompt response to achieve an agile secure provided by civil companies – especially in architecture of the network. the unmanned and autonomous realm – the need for a system engineering approach That being said, more research and to adapt these assets to the demanding development work needs to be done to defence and cyber resilience requirements optimise the use of autonomous cyber tools – addressing the complexity of the digital in the future. on human-machine teaming”, underlines battlefield – is even more pressing. Salvador Llopis Sanchez. Operators and First and foremost, there is still a lack military commanders will therefore need Other design characteristics that need to be of unbiased data sets required for to understand and come to terms with the taken into account when developing cyber autonomous systems which need data restricted influence they will have on the resilience for unmanned and autonomous sets to learn to adapt their behaviour. course of action in operations, especially systems are inter alia interoperability, data Indeed, the quality and efficiency of in situations where human intervention is integrity, the existence of secure and robust autonomous cyber protection systems rely reduced to a minimum. back-up communications and protection on the type of programming and training against electronic warfare. Moreover, which are installed on them prior to their It is therefore essential to make sure military cutting-edge autonomous systems require deployment. Despite years of research into commanders decide in advance on the secure interfaces to permit software AI, generating an ‘unbiased’ training dataset level of autonomy they are willing (or can corrections and updates whenever needed. is still a major challenge. Consequently, the afford) to accept, as part of the concept of Configuration control and risk mitigation in performance of autonomous agents is in operations. Whatever decision is taken, the the supply chain are also crucial to avoid direct proportion to the data they are fed military commander should always maintain compromising security. with. This lack of data becomes of even the option to intervene during an operation greater concern when it comes to military to change (upgrade or degrade) autonomous Autonomous agents to enhance cyber applications because generating data sets functionalities in line with the previously defence deemed accurate enough to represent agreed mission objectives. Cyber resilience is thus a key requirement realistic warfare scenarios is an even more for autonomous systems in general, and in complex undertaking. Cyber-supported situational awareness the defence domain in particular. Situational awareness is required to take In addition to that, there are numerous other decisions in real time. “Cyber-supported On the other hand, autonomous agents technological, procedural and human related autonomous systems could become – specialised digital artefacts – are challenges to overcome. Take, for instance, paramount to provide this enhanced increasingly used to enhance cyber defence the learning aspect. “The growing use of situational awareness”, says Salvador and, many experts believe, they will even autonomous systems by Armed Forces Llopis Sanchez. In the future, we might see become irreplaceable in the future. automatically puts a stronger emphasis autonomous systems react to unpredicted

20 www.eda.europa.eu © Bundeswehr - Tom Twardy scenarios (such as degraded or contested resilient autonomous systems have also information fusion and information electromagnetic environments) and been recognised by EU Member States. exchange mechanisms. automatically apply ‘spread spectrum’ One of the 11 EU Capability Development techniques. Due to the increased data flows Priorities approved by Member States in This is an underlying problem which might coming from remote sensors (belonging June 2018 is called ‘Enabling capabilities for be related to more sophisticated multi-level to what could be defined as the ‘Defence cyber responsive operations’. Therein, the security systems and secure gateways to Internet of Things’), massive amounts of wider cyber domain is identified as a key connect different information classification data must be filtered and processed to area where Europe needs to enhance its levels. In the past, a Network Enabled provide actionable information. defence capabilities, taking into account Capability (NEC) required similar innovative that each operational domain (land, air, solutions to be adopted. Cyber-supported situational awareness will sea, space) has its own cyber-related likely become part of military operations’ challenges. To allow for deeper insight into the cyber command and control information systems. defence aspects of autonomous systems, To that end, a decision support mechanism Cyber defence research and technological EDA will promote best practices in system for cyber operations will assist military development has been identified as one of engineering framework for cyber operations commanders in their understanding of the key areas for action, including research through its ‘Cyber Defence Requirements the implications of cyberspace, proposing topics on self-configured networks, Engineering (CyDRE)’ study expected to remediation plans to achieve mission automated cyber resilience or architecture be launched in late 2018. The goal is to assurance. Artificial Intelligence, too, is agility in cyber defence. avoid the design and development by expected to have a massive impact on Member States of their own cyber defence future cyber risk mitigation. AI techniques One of the challenges of OCEAN2020 – a systems in complete isolation, which would have already been extensively explored for technology demonstrator for enhanced result in disjointed and uncoordinated advanced malware detection tools and the situational awareness in a naval systems, applications, services, standards, prediction of cyber-attacks. environment under the Preparatory Action vocabularies and taxonomies. In the past, on Defence Research, is to encrypt and attempts to solve this problem were often EU Capability Development Priority apply cyber security measures to exchange hindered by a lack of mutual understanding The potential benefits that European Armed classified information. The aspects to be due to the missing common approach to Forces could draw from the use of cyber- addressed are linked with multi-sensor cyber defence systems engineering.

EUROPEAN DEFENCE MATTERS I 2018 I Issue #16#15 21 “I am convinced that because of its operational and industrial added value for Europe, MALE RPAS is called to become a founding and valuable flagship” © Dassault Aviation -V. Almansa -V. © Dassault Aviation

22 www.eda.europa.eu REMOTE DEFENCE: ERIC TRAPPIER “Unmanned systems are a key capability in today’s operational environment” Europe’s future role and level of autonomy in the field of defence-related unmanned and autonomous systems will to a large extent depend on the depth and quality of its defence technological and industrial base. To hear the industry’s assessment of current and future trends, we sat down with the CEO of Dassault Aviation, Eric Trappier, who is also the current president of the AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD).

Dassault and Airbus DS have announced High Level Concepts of Operation Document involved to go ahead with a development plans to jointly develop and produce a (HLCORD). This process was followed by a contract. Future Combat Air System (FCAS) as a Letter of Intent between the two countries globally competitive next-generation in June 2018. This shows there is a political Do you foresee synergies between the European fighter aircraft. How big a will from both countries to be the pillars and developments of the European MALE RPAS strategic step-change would that be for the advanced echelon of this cooperation. It and of the FCAS? European defence? seems to me that when the right conditions MALE RPAS is a key component of the FCAS. At the 2018 ILA Berlin Air Show, Dassault are met, this cooperation should be extended Aviation and Airbus Defense and Space have to other countries. What is your assessment of the new EU announced a global agreement to develop defence initiatives (CARD, PESCO, EDF) so and produce a Future Combat Air System. The In general terms, how important will far? From a defence industrial point of view: objective of this agreement is to federate the unmanned air systems, such as the MALE are we moving in the right direction? respective strengths of the two companies RPAS in which Dassault is also involved, be I am pleased about the shift that has been in order to secure European sovereignty, in the future European defence toolbox? jointly initiated by Member States and the strategic autonomy and technological How do you see the unmanned segment European Union: Defence and Security leadership of Europe in the military aviation evolving in the next 5 to 20 years? have become priorities for the future of the sector in the long term. For sure, the joint In 2013, with my colleagues from Airbus Union. In order to shape these priorities, the political will expressed by France and and Leonardo, we alerted our respective EU has developed initiatives such as CARD, Germany and their respective industrialists authorities about the strategic urgency to PESCO or EDIDP that have emerged in recent to engage in a critical development for the develop our own capabilities in the field months. Other initiatives such as EDF are still future of European defence represents a very of drones. MALE RPAS was born based on under discussion. It may still be a bit early to important step. this awareness. Unmanned systems are make an assessment or draw conclusions representing a key capability in today’s as these initiatives are still recent. On the Will it include other European countries operational environment, at national level substance, what is important for the industry and companies and will it make use of and in operations abroad. I am convinced is the awareness that a collective effort the EDF? that because of its operational and industrial was needed to create the conditions for The French Minister of Defence, Florence added value for Europe, MALE RPAS is called developing a real European Defence by the Parly, and its German counterpart, Ursula von to become a founding and valuable flagship. Europeans themselves. This includes an der Leyen, have signed during the ILA show a It is now in the hands of the countries adapted budget, a lean and efficient

EUROPEAN DEFENCE MATTERS I 2018 I Issue #16 23 REMOTE DEFENCE: ERIC TRAPPIER

capability process as well as an appropriate Member States recently approved new EU economic and financial terms. It is difficult to governance for the defence sector which Capability Development Priorities as part draw the profile of a successful cooperation. is quite different from the civilian one. What of the revised CDP. What’s the European In the defence sector, cooperation first must is also important for industry is the overall defence industry’s view on them? Do ensure that the operational contract of our coherence that links each of these initiatives you feel industry is ready and capable of armed forces is fulfilled. Then, it seems to me in order to have sufficient and focused taking them up and delivering the required necessary that the cooperation meets the visibility to rapidly achieve concrete results. capabilities? main following criteria: – be an expression of The EU, which has to deal with new strategic the common operational needs avoiding as Are you happy with the proposed EDIDP challenges and must meet new requirements much as possible over-specification; – rely on rules and what is your take on the planned for the protection of its citizens, needs a clear a firm and long-term budgetary commitment arrangement for participation of third roadmap in terms of capability priorities. by Member States; – be driven by an efficient country entities established in Europe? From this point of view, the process enabling state/industrial governance able to take The European Defence Industrial Member States’ convergence on capability decisions and make compromises; – have Development Programme (EDIDP) that was development priorities (CDP) represents an an export policy defined upstream of the adopted this summer is a first step. The important step forward. The CDP thus already programme; - and rely on a division of labour industry represented in Brussels by ASD provides a useful reference framework: a based on competencies and efficiency was mobilised from an early stage to make global picture of Member States’ capability rather than considerations of geographical a useful contribution to it. From my point needs in generic priorities areas. Industry fair return. of view, there are two main things that are has developed very good working relations important. with all EU institutions. In the light of recent Joint European defence R&T is moving developments in the field of EU capabilities, ahead, supported by EU funding. Do you Firstly, capability development. It is the main industry is of course prepared, with the think a future European Defence Research challenge of the programme and focuses support of Member States, to strengthen its Programme can make a difference and on two key issues for Europe: strategic contribution in this domain. boost Europe’s defence technological and autonomy and competitiveness of the industrial base (EDTIB)? industry. As the President of the AeroSpace and More than ever, defence research is a Defence Industries Association of Europe strategic priority to ensure the maintenance Secondly, the funding put in place by the EU (ASD), I am fully confident about the European of a strong, state of the art and respected in the framework of this programme. It adds industry’s capabilities: it has the means European defence industry. As you know, this to the existing resources of the Member and skills required to meet the European industry is a long cycle industry that devotes States and, therefore, is a tool capable capability challenges, including through a significant portion of its revenues to of providing a leverage effect. During the the robust network of its main Primes and research. Every decision that is made in this negotiations on this programme, Member the small and medium-sized industries and area produces a strategic effect. Secondly, States and the European Union endeavoured enterprises which form an envied ecosystem the technological choices have a direct to align the objectives of autonomy and in the world. impact on the future competitiveness of competitiveness with legal reality and industry on the international market. Europe industrial constraints. Europe still lacks joint defence programmes is at a major turning point, as a cycle of and investments. What, in your view, can major programmes is coming to an end. The As regards EDIDP, thanks to the efforts and should be done to stimulate more future must therefore be urgently prepared made by all, a consensus was finally found cooperation? in a context where the range of threats is on a framework and measures, particularly Europe is making a big shift in defence. widening and where new technological in terms of eligibility, to guarantee that The past decade has been marked by a developments are emerging. European interests are met. period of under-investment in this area. We see an evolution now because European In this context, Europe also needs a Since the defence sector is specific, countries are changing their policies and are coherent roadmap, fully in line with the additional progress will have to be made actively thinking about the modernisation identified capabilities needs and capable on the EDF which is not yet agreed. For of their defence systems. Undoubtedly, of producing convergence on the required example, there is the question of a 100% this new situation offers new perspectives future technologies. I therefore think that coverage of all costs which would match the and opportunities. So, I do believe that such a European research programme conditions of our main competitors. There cooperation in Europe will develop. is likely to have beneficial effects for the is one point that is central for all European Nevertheless, it can neither be decreed nor whole community, provided there is a initiatives: European money must primarily become a dogma, particularly in the defence strategic steering of the Member States, go to the European industry, i.e to actors field. It must be based on political will, mutual the establishment of suitable conditions for whose policy is not defined or constrained trust and shared interests. It must also defence and the identification of ways that by considerations expressed outside the EU. increasingly meet the needs of efficiency in will allow an efficient industry contribution.

24 www.eda.europa.eu © Dassault Aviation -V. Almansa Dassault Aviation is tasked to ensure the leadership for the New Generation Fighter within the FCAS

What else, in your view, is missing today become strategically autonomous in the to develop a strong European Defence defence industrial domain? Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB)? Considering the evolving strategic context, To ensure an adapted development of the and in order to remain an influential player European defence industry, it will also be in the world, Europe must be able to shape important to look after the three following its own future. In this perspective, strategic aspects. autonomy represents both a political objective and a condition for the survival Eric Trappier is chairman and CEO of Firstly, the European industrial sector has for the European defence industry. The Dassault Aviation since January to be preserved, developed and organised on-going discussions concerning FCAS 2013. He also chairs the European in order to reduce Europe’s strategic illustrate these challenges. Indeed, the Aerospace and Defence Industries dependency, in particular as regards the objective is to set up the most relevant Association (ASD), the French supply of critical components. Secondly, cooperative organisation in which the Aerospace Industries Association we need a more systematic benchmark companies involved will contribute with (GIFAS) as well as the Conseil des of the policy and measures taken by the their respective ‘know-how’ and skills to Industries de Défense Françaises major strategic partners of the EU in order produce the most efficient and competitive (CIDEF). In April 2018, Mr Trappier to ensure that a balanced level playing European FCAS. In this context, and as it was signed an industrial agreement with field is respected at international level. And officially stated, France is the leader nation Airbus Defence & Space to develop thirdly, we need to build an EU political and for the FCAS. As far as Dassault Aviation is and produce the Future Air Combat legislative environment that is fully adapted concerned, my company is tasked to ensure System, in Franco-German to the defence specificities in order to the leadership for the New Generation cooperation. He also contributed to speed up and to support the development Fighter within the FCAS. We, as an aircraft the launch, in September 2016, of the of industrial cooperation in Europe. As a manufacturer, have a prominent role to study to define the future MALE consequence, we need a strong EDTIB. play in supporting strategic activities on observation drone, carried out in which Europe must be positioned on the German-French-Italian cooperation In your view, is there enough political long term, and we must remain strong to be by Airbus Defence & Space, Dassault and industrial leadership to make Europe able to face upcoming challenges. Aviation and Leonardo.

EUROPEAN DEFENCE MATTERS I 2018 I Issue #16#15 2521 REMOTE DEFENCE: PATRICK KY (EASA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR) “EASA cooperates with defence stakeholders on the insertion of large military UAS in European airspace”

The current proliferation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) – small and large, commercial and military – raises a number of regulatory and safety-related questions which need to be tackled urgently, with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) playing a central role. European Defence Matters spoke to EASA Executive Director Patrick Ky about the main challenges ahead.

More and more types of unmanned aircraft presence in the airspace will have to be certain number of pre-requisites, unmanned are emerging. What are the main regulatory detectable locally by citizens with standard traffic can be operated in civil airspace. and safety-related issues to be dealt mobile terminals, e.g. mobile phones, and with? Is Europe well on track to meet this law enforcement authorities (such as European armed forces have gained challenge? police) will also be able to track drones to substantial expertise in operating large Starting in 2019, Europe will have harmonised their operators. More complex operations military RPAS which could help pave the way rules to operate UAS in the ‘open and specific’ such as beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), for integrating large RPAS in non-segregated categories, which are the smaller end of the posing higher risks with regard to manned European airspace. Does EASA intend to use market. The new rules will address safety and aircraft, will only be authorised on the basis this military experience as a blueprint for civil environmental aspects as well as security of operational risk assessments. Adequate unmanned cargo aircraft? and privacy needs. The rules will address mitigation means it will have to be put in EASA is indeed cooperating with military operational as well as technical aspects and place by the operator and approved by the stakeholders under the leadership of the include effective means for operators and competent authority. European Defence Agency (EDA) on the their competent authorities to address safety development of a Concept of Operations risks when UAS are flying in non-segregated As far as large certified MALE-type RPAS (CONOPS) to accommodate military drones airspace together with manned aviation. For are concerned, how confident are you that in certain categories of airspace and identify example, smaller ‘buy & fly’ drones will have the 2020-2025 timeline set for the RPAS viable opportunities for the insertion of large to be operated only in visual line of sight accommodation phase in the European ATM military UAS in the European airspace. We (VLOS) and the pilot will be required to have Master Plan can be met? expect this work, which relies largely on a specific level of competence depending Here the key word is ‘accommodation’. By current operational experiences gathered by on the class of the drone. Drones that are 2025, it is not certain that large RPAS will be military operators, to be finalised by the end of operated in the open category will need to routinely operated in all parts of the Single the year. This can be used for all types of UAS comply with technical requirements defined European Sky. However, it is very probable flying in un-segregated airspace. As far as by European harmonised standards. Their that there will be areas in which, under a civil unmanned cargo aircraft are concerned,

26 www.eda.europa.eu “The new rules will address safety and environmental aspects as well as security and privacy needs”

EASA has started to work on the appropriate environments. We will take all these into roadmap is essential in setting the right level set of regulations. As you can imagine, there careful consideration when looking at of ambitions and expectations. It will also be will be other safety aspects to be taken into implementation regulations for the U-Space. increasingly necessary to have discussions account besides integration in civil airspace! at a more technical and operational level, A smooth integration of large certified RPAS and we welcome the coordination role The low-level airspace (‘U-Space’) is crucial into non-segregated European airspace played by EDA for the military side. From for military aircraft, particularly helicopters. will require good civil-military cooperation. this perspective, the mechanism set up by How are the views and interests of the military To that end, a ‘Coordination Mechanism’ the Commission is the right approach, but it taken into account? involving the Commission, EASA, SJU and needs to be complemented on the technical Low-level drone operations are of concern not EDA was established in 2016. How would you and operational side. only to military aircraft, but also to all sorts of assess this cooperation so far? operators who routinely fly below 1000ft. There Any mechanism enabling a dialogue between are also other concerns such as the possible military and civil stakeholders is welcome. safety risk to third parties, especially in urban In particular, the articulation of a meaningful

Patrick Ky became EASA Executive Director on 1 September 2013. Prior to leading EASA, Patrick Ky was in charge of the SESAR programme, Europe’s ATM modernisation programme. He also held different managerial positions in the French Civil Aviation Authority, in a consulting company and in Eurocontrol. In 2004, he joined the European Commission to work on SESAR.

EUROPEAN DEFENCE MATTERS I 2018 I Issue #16 27 REMOTE DEFENCE: GENERAL CLAUDIO GRAZIANO (EUMC CHAIRMAN)

“RPAS can effectively contribute to EU-led military and civilian operations” To assess the operational impact of unmanned systems on CSDP missions and operations, now and in the future, European Defence Matters interviewed the

What is the EUMC’s view on the operational framework, the use of RPAS is envisaged for assessment, situational awareness and use of unmanned capabilities such as RPAS a wide variety of tasks where military means target intelligence. This supports the decision- in the framework of CSDP missions and might be considered in order to address a making process, as well as the planning and operations? crisis, from the separation of fighters by force execution of CSDP missions and operations Back in 2013, the then High Representative/ to assistance with humanitarian operations. at all levels of command. Vice President (HR/VP), Ms. Catherine Ashton, pointed out that “RPAS are very likely In your view, which are the most important Information superiority has also become to constitute a key capability for the future” operational benefits that unmanned systems a key concern in crisis management. EU and that they offer “a broad spectrum of such as RPAS can provide to CSDP military forces can benefit from airborne assets like capabilities that can contribute to various missions and operations, today? RPAS operating as a force multiplier and aspects of EU-led military and civilian The global landscape evolves and complementing other assets in providing operations”. In line with this, the EUMC information is more and more critical. Thanks permanent, all weather coverage with high tasked the European Union Military Staff to their broad capability spectrum and long quality sensors. (EUMS) to draft a concept for the operational endurance, RPAS can effectively contribute employment of RPAS in the framework of to EU-led military and civilian operations Additionally, we expect European-led EU-led military operations. With input from and missions. Regarding payloads and military forces to face more and more several Member States, EU institutions missions, RPAS are flexible and adaptive asymmetric tactics and strategies. For and agencies, and in cooperation with the and, therefore, can be employed in multi-task example, the increased use of Improvised NATO Joint Air Power Competence Centre, roles or be easily re-tasked within the same Explosive Devices (IEDs) in conflicts. the EUMC agreed in March 2014 on the single sortie. RPAS can operate as local Equipped with specific sensors for IED “Concept for the contribution of Remotely tactical assets or at long range for prolonged detection, RPAS could effectively contribute Piloted Aircraft Systems to EU-led Military periods of time. Additionally, RPAS are not to the protection of ground forces, providing Operations”. The document provides a technically limited by human performance vital information to counter IEDs. conceptual framework for the use of RPAS in or physiological characteristics and some of EU-led military operations. them may potentially perform tasks in high In accordance with the EU Concept for threat environments or contaminated areas the contribution of RPAS to EU-led military Noting that RPAS have been used by armed where the use of manned aircraft would operations, these systems are expected forces for three decades as effective constitute an unacceptable human risk. to operate over both land and sea. On operational capabilities, the concept maritime missions and beyond the littoral, describes the features of RPAS and underlines Situational awareness in crisis management RPAS can effectively conduct ISR missions, their potential to contribute to various aspects missions and operations requires clear and in support of naval operations, for instance of EU-led military and civilian operations. The concise information and intelligence on all anti-terrorism and anti-piracy missions. document also refers to the potential dual-use aspects of the air, ground and sea situation benefits of RPAS which can also be useful within an area of operation. This requires Looking ahead, where do you see the in conflict prevention and peace-building reliable, permanent and persistent surveillance. biggest potential for future unmanned civilian activities. In accordance with the EU Especially long endurance RPAS, able to carry platforms like RPAS in CSDP military Treaties, the remit of CSDP will cover the whole out Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance operations? And the biggest challenges? spectrum of crisis management ranging (ISR), Imagery Intelligence (IMINT) and Target A broader and more intense operational use from peace enforcement to post-conflict Acquisition (TA) from an airborne platform of RPAS will open new possibilities for quality stabilisation operations. Within this can contribute to early warning, operational information gathering, especially in the field

28 www.eda.europa.eu of surveillance and reconnaissance. In view Finally, a possible wider development scenarios, CSDP EU missions and operations of that, a common understanding, along of RPAS involves a more effective play an important role, and the military with common standards for the operational self-protection capability, as well as a higher capabilities are particularly effective in planning and employment of RPAS, should level of resilience to cyber threats, from supporting the stabilisation process. be developed. jamming to capturing data transfer, taking them down or over by malicious actors. In The EU has been taking several important Additionally, an extensive use of RPAS in CSDP this context, effective counter measures will actions to better deliver on its operational operations would result in greatly increased have to be envisaged when planning and commitment by implementing more data gathering (videos, radar pictures and executing future CSDP operations. comprehensive tools both in the cooperative so on), which in turn requires thorough and and financial areas. Firstly, the Permanent time-consuming analysis. This will be a real Structured Cooperation (PESCO) and the idea challenge for operation commanders as it As the new Chairman of the EUMC, what are of establishing a comprehensive funding will involve more experienced analysts and your main ambitions and priorities for the mechanism through the European Peace dedicated software – not currently developed years to come? Facility (EPF). Also, military/civilian cooperation to the extent that it could replace a human in Today, we are facing many conflicts and is another area of high interest, where I hope conducting the full processing of data. crises directly or indirectly connected to to achieve relevant improvements. Europe’s security. Threats like terrorism, At present, there are considerable limitations violent extremism, migration or the need The EU-NATO partnership should continue, to the operation of RPAS in non-segregated to provide sustainable development and on various fronts, in a complementary and airspace. The aim is to operate RPAS in a similar cyber security can only be addressed by inclusive way. The EU and NATO have already way to today’s manned aviation, based on the an integrated approach from all actors and agreed on a set of common actions, and regulations applied to manned aircraft. The EU institutions. The EU Global Strategy on this is also the case on key topics such integration of RPAS in European airspace is a Foreign and Security Policy (EUGS) provides as military mobility, counter-terrorism and complex task, and requires close cooperation the guiding principles for the way ahead. ‘Women, Peace and Security’. In the field, between civil and military actors. In the the spirit of genuine cooperation is already framework of the EU RPAS Steering Group We have already made real and visible in place as seen in Kosovo between EULEX (ERSG), the relevant stakeholders have set up progress in the field of security and defence. and KFOR, or in the Mediterranean Sea where a roadmap for the integration of civil RPAS into Today, the EU has a set of security and EUNAVFORMED Operation Sophia works the European aviation system addressing, in defence tools and initiatives at its disposal. closely with NATO’s Operation Sea Guardian. particular, regulatory aspects. The same ERSG The EUMC, ‘custodian’ of military expertise, It is my priority to continue in this direction, framework could be used as a basis to help is determined to maintain the momentum, with increasing determination. establish the process of integrating military to preserve what has been achieved and to RPAS into the non-segregated Air Traffic move forward in accordance with political The solid EU Defence and Security package Management (ATM) environment. guidance. we have put in place together is active and moving forward in an ambitious and pragmatic It should be noted that, despite the Let me give you some good examples. way. As we continue on this journey, the inherent potential, the current survivability EUMC and its Chairman are comitted to characteristics of RPAS do not necessarily One very prominent upcoming project is the enhancing the defence aspect of the Global allow them to be used in high-threat revision of the Military Planning and Conduct Strategy and ensuring the EU is able to cope environments. It is preferable that RPAS Capability (MPCC) in order to further develop with the new security challenges. According equipment and procedures are developed the EU’s Command and Control capability to the tasking we get from our political cognisant of expected threats. to achieve a more coherent, uniform and leadership, we will continue to provide our effective operational planning and conduct, best advice and recommendations, based on Another challenge ahead relates to data as part of the EU’s integrated approach. our unique military expertise. links, which include all means for both communication between the RPAS and the To further enhance the effectiveness of EU control station (ground or airborne) and missions and operations is another strategic General Claudio Graziano took office as data transfer. The operational range of data goal. As an example, the three EU-led training EUMC Chairman on 6 November 2018. He links is still affected by different factors like missions deployed in Africa are aimed at previously served as Italian Chief of the location and altitude of the RPAS and laying the foundations for a sustainable, Defence (since Feb. 2015) and Chief of the ground control stations, as well as the locally-controlled security and stability – a Staff of the Italian Army (2011-2015). Other orographic and atmospheric conditions. prerequisite for development. By doing this, positions previously held by General Technological improvements are important they expand the security environment and Graziano include Chief of Cabinet of the in this respect as the loss or interruption provide a ‘forward and proactive’ defence, Italian MoD (2010-2011) and UNIFIL Head of of the data-link could result in degraded thousands of kilometres from European Mission/Force Commander (2007-2010). mission effectiveness or a mission failure. borders. In post-conflict reconstruction

EUROPEAN DEFENCE MATTERS I 2018 I Issue #16 29 CARD: From trial run to first full cycle starting in 2019

On 20 November 2018 the European Defence Agency’s (EDA) ministerial Steering Board welcomed the report on the trial run of the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD), which has already proven to be an essential initiative in fostering coherence in European defence expenditure and capability development.

There is a growing consensus that Europe systematic defence cooperation among The consolidated data, aggregated at needs to do more to protect its interests Member States. EU-level, provided the basis for the analytical and values globally. The adoption of the EU work that resulted in the CARD Aggregated Global Strategy (EUGS), the Commission’s Shaping the CARD concept in a Analysis presented to Member States’ European Defence Action Plan and the changing EU defence context Capability Directors in June 2018. activation of the Treaty of Lisbon articles on On 18 May 2017, the Council of the EU Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), endorsed the modalities to establish the The CARD Trial Run Report, which derived from all point in this direction. Member States CARD and launched the CARD Trial Run. it, reflects the main findings and conclusions, are giving more importance to defence Over the following months, EDA collected including dedicated contributions from the issues, as demonstrated by increases in all available information on Member States’ EU Military Committee (EUMC), as well as defence expenditure and renewed interest in defence expenditure and capability recommendations and preliminary lessons multinational cooperation. development efforts, grouping it along learned. The European capability landscape the three lines indicated in the Council which emerges from the report offers a view Whilst the benefits of multinational conclusions: (i) Member States’ aggregated of what Member States collectively achieve, cooperation were never disputed, concrete defence plans, (ii) the implementation of the including future trends at the European measurable progress remained difficult EU Capability Development Priorities, and (iii) level. This view is enhanced through the to track, in particular due to the lack of a the development of European cooperation. coherence with NATO defence planning shared tool capturing collaborative efforts activities, as nearly all Member States invited at the European level. By adopting the The information gathering phase was EDA and the EUMS to attend review meetings Implementation Plan of the EUGS, Member followed by bilateral dialogues between of the NATO Defence Planning Process States agreed to create the Coordinated Member States and EDA, supported by the (NDPP) or the Partnership for Peace Planning Annual Review of Defence (CARD) as a EU Military Staff (EUMS), aimed at clarifying, and Review Process (PARP) and made means of fostering increased consistency validating and completing the data compiled their replies to the NATO Defence Planning between national defence plans from a by EDA in each Member States’ CARD Initial Capability Survey questionnaires available European perspective and promoting more Information Document. to both EU institutions.

2230 www.eda.europa.eu IN THE SPOTLIGHT: CARD

“The CARD is an essential intermediate step in the overall EU capability development process” Jorge Domecq, EDA Chief Executive

total investment in 2015 to 21% in 2017 and development, from 24% in 2015 to nearly 31% is estimated to decrease further over time. in 2017. Data shared by 15 Member States The fact that the collective benchmark, shows that the collaborative part of European aiming at 2% of total defence spending Defence R&T expenditure remained around being invested in defence Research & 11% between 2015 and 2017 but decreased by Technology (R&T), has never been reached 6% in absolute terms. raises concerns regarding the long-term European technological innovation capacity, Tailored collaborative opportunities presented being driven by only eight Member States, to individual Member States were well representing 95% of European defence received. The top collaborative areas retaining R&T expenditure. Member States’ interest were Short Range Air Defence (SHORAD), armoured vehicles Over the 2015-2020 period, one quarter (including main battle tanks), helicopters © EU Council of Ministers of Member States allocated more than (light and medium), medical support, cyber 50% of their defence investment to the defence, satellite communications, tactical The EDA Steering Board encouraged Member Priority Actions from the 2014 EU Capability Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), maritime States to implement the recommendations Development Plan (CDP), while the vast mine countermeasures and maritime of the CARD Trial Run Report, including in the majority of investments supporting these security. All these collaborative opportunities development of the ‘Strategic Context Cases’ priorities were allocated to national projects. are linked to the recently approved 2018 EU (SCCs) for the implementation of the 2018 Capability Development Priorities. EU Capability Development Priorities, and The EU Military Committee’s contribution to tasked the Agency to forward the report to the the CARD Trial Run established that the EU Trial Run conclusions, recommendations and Council with a view to confirming the CARD does not have available all of the required preliminary lessons identified as a standing activity and launch the first full military capabilities necessary for the The conclusions of the CARD Trial Run can be CARD cycle in autumn 2019. implementation of the EU CSDP military Level summarised as follows: of Ambition (LoA) derived from the EU Global • the bilateral dialogues were particularly CARD Trial Run findings Strategy. These deficiencies are reflected well received by Member States as The CARD Trial Run findings confirmed that in two sets of High Impact Capability Goals evidenced by reactions in the various fora there is a positive trend regarding the overall (HICG), addressing major shortfalls in the where the aggregated analysis and the defence spending of the 27 participating short-term and medium term. The level of report were presented. These meetings Member States over the 2015-2019 period, Member States’ deployed forces in CSDP allowed Member States, EDA and the EUMS although in real terms defence expenditure in and non-CSDP operations and missions to engage in discussions on collective 2017 still remained below the 2005 level. remained rather constant over the last defence expenditure, operational three to four years, with an average level of commitments, the implementation of EU Investment in general, and procurement 48,000 troops, although there is a disparity Capability Development Priorities and expenditure in particular, are increasing between Member States in terms of type potential collaborative opportunities; across Member States, but at a very of operation, engagement framework and different pace and scale. The 20% collective overall operational effort. While defence • the CARD made use of all information investment benchmark was reached in 2016 expenditure related to operational activities available to EDA in view of limiting – to all and defence investment will likely continue remained stable, representing some 3.5% of possible extents – additional requests for to increase further, representing some €47 Member States’ total defence budget, there information to Member States, thereby billion of investment in 2017. However, 12 is room for further enhanced cooperation reducing the administrative burden Member States represent 81% of the total EU between Member States. on Member States. Some gaps were defence investment. identified, particularly with respect to Data shared by 12 Member States show forward-looking financial information, Investment in defence research and a steady increase in relative terms in highlighting the need for accurate and development has decreased from 23.5% of the collaborative dimension of capability high-quality data to drive the analysis;

EUROPEAN DEFENCE MATTERS I 2018 I Issue #16 31 IN THE SPOTLIGHT: CARD

• the CARD Trial Run highlighted the fact that mutual benefits of the CARD bilateral dialogues, A coherent appro ach from priorities to impact Member States still carry out defence the challenging timelines of the CARD Trial Run planning and acquisition mostly from a and potential improvements in data collection, COMMON national perspective. The EU needs to especially with regard to forward looking PRIORITY move from ad hoc multinational projects financial data and collaborative expenditure. SETTING towards a systematic and structured Furthermore it is acknowledged that the alignment of Member States’ defence coherence of output between the CARD as planning. Member States do cooperate, well as the Capability Development Plan, and but an accurate and comprehensive EU respective NATO processes, such as NDPP has CDP overview on which areas, to what extent been and will continue to be ensured where Capability Development Plan and with whom, is still lacking. requirements overlap, while recognising the > Identifies EU capability different nature of the two organisations and development priorities CARD Trial Run recommendations on the their respective responsibilities. > Output-driven orientation European defence expenditure landscape Pursuing further consistency in defence CARD as the cornerstone of recent EU spending and promoting a European security and defence initiatives > Capability shortfalls > Lessons learned technologically innovative capacity, the “The CARD is an essential intermediate step > National Plans & Programmes CARD Trial Run recommendations on the in the overall EU capability development > Long term capability trends European defence expenditure landscape process”, stresses EDA Chief Executive propose that Member States include in their Jorge Domecq. Several new EU security and multi-year defence plans voluntary national defence initiatives where launched quasi objectives regarding the annual growth rates simultaneously – the CDP revision, CARD of their defence budget and R&T expenditure, and PESCO. The coherence between these as well as concrete measures aimed at initiatives must be ensured and the way they NATO Overarching Strategic rebalancing defence expenditure in favour of affect each other is not only to be understood Defence Research Agenda investment programmes and enhancing their but purposefully planned. Planning (OSRA) Process participation in collaborative projects. “A coherent approach from priority setting to CARD Trial Run recommendations on the output is important and adequate sequencing European capability development landscape is critical to ensure that the different steps of The recommendations focusing on the the overall approach reinforce each other. European capability development landscape In a somewhat simplistic manner, we could propose that participating Member States say that the CDP tells us what to focus our aim for greater coherence between their common efforts on, the CARD gives us an national capability development plans, overview of where we stand and identifies including on timelines, engage more next steps, PESCO in turn gives us options on in cooperative activities, and consider how to do it in a collaborative manner, while channelling investments on medical the EDF could provide the funds to support collaboration, as well as progress towards EU capabilities into ensuring a European the implementation of cooperative defence priorities. It will help identify Member States’ capability in support of Common Security and projects in general, but with a bonus, if in needs through a structured review process Defence Policy (CSDP) operations. PESCO”, Mr Domecq explains. which can lead to cooperative projects. This is the point where the CARD connects to PESCO. The report also invites Member States to ‘Pathfinder’ for cooperation opportunities enhance their participation in European The CARD introduces a monitoring Under PESCO a lot has been done in a very collaborative projects, notably making best mechanism, driven by Member States and short timeframe. It is however important to use of the recently established EU defence one of the major expectations of the CARD is underline that PESCO is much more than an initiatives such as PESCO, the Preparatory to act as a pathfinder in the identification of umbrella for projects, it is primarily about Action on Defence Research (PARD), the opportunities, where Member States can join common planning, increasing spending, European Defence Industrial Development their efforts in collaboratively developing or collaborating more, and using existing Programme (EDIDP) and soon the European procuring defence assets. The CARD will be capabilities, if needed, all in a structured and Defence Fund (EDF). built-up incrementally over time and will play more efficient manner. a crucial role in providing a comprehensive Preliminary lessons identified picture of Member States’ defence plans The third initiative, the European Defence Fund, Preliminary lessons identified focus on the and capabilities, the state of play regarding which provides major EU-funding to defence

32 www.eda.europa.eu A coherent appro ach from priorities to impact

DEFENCE REVIEW & COMMON IMPACT ON OPPORTUNITIES FOR PLANNING & PROJECT EUROPEAN CAPABILITY COOPERATION IMPLEMENTATION LANDSCAPE

CARD PESCO CAPABILITIES Coordinated Annual Review Permanent Structured Cooperation Owned by Member States on Defence > Common planning, harmonised > Coherent set of usable deployable, > Provides a full picture of capability requirements, coordinated use of interoperable, sustainable landscape capabilities, collaborative approach capabilities and forces > Monitors implementation of EU to capability gaps capability development and R&T > Identification, initiation, priorities implementation of projects in > Assesses state of defence capability & operational domains cooperation in Europe > Identifies cooperation opportunities

OCCAR Multinational EDA projects projects projects

EDF European Defence Fund Research and Capability windows > Contribute to strengthening the competitiveness and innovative capacity of the EU’s defence industry > Foster defence cooperation through supporting investment in joint defence research, development of prototypes and acquisition of defence equipment and technology. © EDA

projects for the first time, is not yet in its full Towards the first full CARD cycle in 2019 encompass the entire capability spectrum cycle. While the research window is already The CARD Trial Run will provide a baseline and have a wider scope than the 2014 in its test phase with the Preparatory Action, for subsequent iterations of the review. CDP Priority Areas which were used as the the capability window will do the same with Work accomplished until now will be reference for the CARD Trial Run. Greater the start of the European Defence Industrial discussed with all relevant stakeholders attention will be paid to prioritisation, Development Programme (EDIDP) next year. to understand the necessary lessons notably in relation to R&T. learned. Under the auspices of the Austrian “Even if we ensure that all these three Presidency of the Council, a workshop Concrete efforts aimed at raising Europe’s initiatives are smoothly coordinated and on lessons identified will take place at global role are underway. A prerequisite to harmonised, and Member States commit to the end of 2018. A second workshop is reaching the level of ambition defined in work along these lines, there is one element planned for early 2019, under the auspices the EUGS is instilling greater coherence in which is indispensable for coherent capability of the Romanian Presidency of the Council, the way Member States plan and develop development at European level, and that will address the methodology for the first capabilities. The CARD offers Member is Common Priority Setting through the full CARD. States a tool to increase consistency Capability Development Plan, which must between their national defence plans from a be the baseline for CARD, PESCO and EDF,” The first full CARD cycle will be based on European perspective and to engage more underlines Jorge Domecq. the 2018 EU Capability Priorities, which systematically in defence cooperation.

EUROPEAN DEFENCE MATTERS I 2018 I Issue #16#15 3321 FOCUS: DEFENCE INNOVATION PRIZE And the winners are...

In February 2018, the European Defence Agency launched the ‘EDA Defence Innovation Prize’ rewarding companies and research organisations that have proposed innovative ideas, technologies, products, processes or services applicable to the defence domain. The two winners of the first contest have been selected: AITEX, a Spanish research and innovation centre specialising in textiles, and Clover Technologies, a Spanish company providing advanced technology services for information systems and communications. Both were awarded the 2018 EDA Defence Innovation Prize for ideas put forward in two specific sectors:

34 www.eda.europa.eu Autonomous detection, identification and monitoring through sensor and platform networking in the field of CBRN protection technologies Winner: AITEX and more generally, everywhere where textiles are present. A ‘wearable computing’ system composed of Winning idea: The implementation of this idea needs the involvement of a electronic devices (including sensors able to monitor environmental multidisciplinary team since the required developments touch upon and personal parameters) fully integrated into textile solutions. different technologies: materials, electronics, software etc. Moreover, We asked AITEX Project Manager José Manuel Ramos Fernandez to the end users’ engagement - i.e. that of Ministries of Defence and Armed explain the idea in more detail: Forces - in the development process is crucial to ensure the system complies with their requirements because, at the end of the day, what “We envisage that the soldier of the future counts is that it is useful and enhances EU defence capabilities. We will be equipped with a ‘wearable computing’ believe that a multidisciplinary approach coupled with the end users’ system composed of many electronic guidance would allow the idea to be developed through a collaborative devices fully integrated into textile solutions, effort that needs the involvement of multiple Member States. which will be of paramount importance in order to reduce the equipment weight and Participating in the EDA Defence Innovation Prize contest has given us increase the soldiers’ operability. Sensors the opportunity to both promote a civil innovation in the defence realm able to monitor environmental and personal and stress the necessity of collaborative research programmes to tackle parameters will be key components of that. complex developments using a multidisciplinary approach”. We therefore propose the development of a new family of sensors to identify and quantify a wide range of chemical warfare agents (CWA). Our idea is to produce Electronic Noses (ENs) integrated into textiles AITEX, based in Alcoy, is a leading Spanish based on an array of sensors composed of Graphene Oxide (GO). They centre of research, innovation and advanced will be capable of identifying and quantifying a wide range of chemical technical services for the textile sector. AITEX is a private non-profit warfare agents. The complete system will be printed on a textile association set up in 1985 as an initiative of the Valencian Regional substrate producing a fully wearable system which has significant Government, through the Valencian Institute for Small and Medium advantages compared to traditional rigid and semi-portable ENs. Industry (IMPIVA), to make the textile sector more competitive. AITEX’s key Moreover, the graphene-based electronic noses integrated in textiles activity domains include smart textiles, nanotechnology, materials and can also be used on a variety of platforms, in all types of infrastructure sustainability and biotechnology.

Integration of multi-robot swarming concepts in support of future defence capabilities in the field of Guidance, Navigation and Control Winner: Clover Technologies tamper resistant solution for storage and management of the sensitive Winning idea: A blockchain-based platform for the secure information in a robot. coordination and information exchange between the nodes which are As previously stated, our main goal is to offer a common platform for the part of a robotic swarm secure coordination and exchange of information between the nodes The winning idea is explained by Clover Technologies Project Manager which are part of a swarm robotic. Therefore, robot manufacturers in the Fidel Paniagua Diez defence industry will need access to this platform. Consequently, we are going to work on an application programming interface (API) which “Swarm robotics is an emerging technology will allow the manufacturers to use its capabilities in a simple way. present in the Future Operational Environment Furthermore, new services such as charger points, weather information, of almost every European nation. However, waypoints and so on, will be added to the platform and made available before it can be implemented in real to the robots in order to facilitate swarm coordination. scenarios, the challenges still pending related to swarm robotics – i.e. computational Finally, let me stress that in order to develop this platform, we will need and storage limitations, heterogeneous the collaboration of Ministries of Defence, Armed Forces and industry. communication protocols, information Hence, this award is really important for us because we are sure that security, etc. – must be solved. it will provide us with new contacts that will help us to achieve a more powerful and rich solution.” Our project aims to provide a solution to some of these challenges with a blockchain-based platform. The designed solution includes additional layers of security that provide integrity, confidentiality and Clover Technologies, based in Leganès/ authentication. Moreover, it supports the automatic implementation of Madrid, is an industrial company several steps and improves swarm command and control traceability. providing advanced technology services for information systems and communications. It is also active in other domains such as IT solutions More precisely, our proposed solution has three main elements. First, and information security management, ITSEC and Common Criteria a blockchain platform which allows a secure coordination of a swarm consulting and evaluation and Blockchain consulting and development, robotic. Second, a so-called Group Key Distribution Algorithm which security assessment and conformance analysis of security standards and securely allows the management of the joining & leaving operations protocols, design and development of UAV security solutions, as well as within a swarm robotic. And third, a Java Card technology which offers a professional promotion, certifications training and awareness activities.

EUROPEAN DEFENCE MATTERS I 2018 I Issue #16 35 EMACC HANDBOOK A guide to ever safer military aircraft

The European Defence Agency’s (EDA’s) third edition of the European Military Airworthiness Certification Criteria (EMACC) handbook was published early this year. It assists European Ministries of Defence and aviation authorities in the development of new airworthiness certification programmes for military aircraft or in the quality assessment of existing ones.

Every time a new type of aircraft or design codes’ for military aircraft and certification programmes must be developed aeronautical product is developed aeronautical products. instead. (civil or military), its compliance with established minimum safety standards However, as innovation constantly delivers Against this backdrop, a dedicated Task Force must be demonstrated from the outset, new materials, technologies and design was established in 2009 under the direction i.e. during the design phase. For standard features, predefined airworthiness codes need of the EDA Military Airworthiness Authorities applications, such as commercially to be adapted (for each product certification) (MAWA) Forum to develop a harmonised used passenger and transport aircraft as they don’t cover all the necessary elements approach to generic airworthiness or helicopters, tailored sets of technical to assess a new product’s airworthiness. In certification criteria that could be used to airworthiness requirements are such cases, special requirements must be assess and certify the design-airworthiness summarised in ‘airworthiness codes’, also agreed between the manufacturers and the for all EU military aircraft programmes. known as certification specifications, airworthiness authorities. and used as the basis for the verification Building on the US handbook tests to be performed as part of the In contrast to the civil aviation industry, where Since 2009, a European Military airworthiness certification process. new technologies tend to be introduced rather Airworthiness Certification Criteria (EMACC) gradually and smoothly, the value of a new handbook has been gradually developed, With the approval by Defence Ministers in military air asset depends first and foremost building on the work of the US Department 2008 of the ‘roadmap for the EU-wide forum on the disruptiveness of its technology and of Defense which issued the Mil-HdBk for Military Airworthiness Authorities (MAWA)’, its – often unusual – design. As a result, a 516, a document containing airworthiness representatives and subject matter experts simple adaptation of traditional airworthiness certification criteria for use in all new US of national military airworthiness authorities codes, in many cases, does not suffice and military fixed wing aircraft programmes. were tasked to work on ’common certification/ tailor-made military-specific airworthiness The EMACC Handbook contains qualitative

36 www.eda.europa.eu EMACC User Experience 3 questions to… Davide Turati Head of Military Airworthiness and Mission and Requirements Analysis at Leonardo Helicopters © Leonardo

You were among the first manufacturers to use the EMACC for establishing a Certification Basis. What was your overall experience? The EMACC has been used by the company to establish the Certification Basis for a new helicopter, as a complement to the EASA CS-29 which was the main pillar of the airworthiness requirements. As such, the definition of the applicable standard for each criterion was straightforward, since EMACC was used to define standards only for those criteria not covered already by CS-29. The selection has been easily accomplished thanks to previous Company and Authority experience in similar applications, nevertheless, some degree of guidance in the choice of standards would have been beneficial to the process. The resulting Type Certification Basis (TCB) has been positively evaluated by the Authority and has been agreed with no major discussions.

For which activities or applications would you say the EMACC is the most relevant tool? The EMACC could of course be applied to define the certification basis for new types or modifications of military aircraft. In addition, © Italian Air Force the EMACC could be used to verify the completeness of an already existing TCB. criteria that should allow Airworthiness EDA website at www.eda.europa.eu/experts/ For dual use (civil/military) applications, it is Authorities and manufacturers to define airworthiness/mawa-documents essential to define the additional airworthiness appropriate requirements to be met in order criteria to complement a civil-based TCB when to reduce risks in system safety for each Several national military airworthiness used for military applications. specific case. authorities already require contractors to use it on a mandatory basis. How could the EMACC be further improved in The MAWA Forum Task Force aligned and the future? combined the MIL-HdBk 516 criteria with Way ahead Regarding our specific product, the EMACC the specific airworthiness requirements of Building on user feedback and lessons could be improved by introducing new topics European and US civil airworthiness codes learned, the EMACC Handbook will be such as more detailed safety criteria for and equivalent defence standards, including further developed and improved under the helo-ship operations. In addition, selection UK Defence Standards (DEF-STAN) and NATO responsibility of the Design and Production criteria among the different standards could Standardization Agreements (STANAGs). Advisory Group (DPAG) of the EDA – Military be added. As it is, the EMACC is for the sole Thanks to the efforts made by the national Airworthiness Authorities (MAWA) Forum. use of experienced airworthiness specialists: experts of the MAWA Task Force and the The next edition, scheduled to be issued by additional guideline material to select the technical support provided by EDA, the 2020, is set to include more guidance on appropriate standards for the different first edition of the fully harmonised EMACC the tailoring process as well as additional applications could be of use for small or new document was issued at the end of 2012. references and criteria to cover the latest NMAAs and could support the uniformity of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) criteria across the Member States. For rotary Today, the 3rd edition of the EMACC certification standards, Air-to-Air Refuelling wing applications, only the CS-29 has been handbook, fully aligned with the US MIL-HdBk (AAR) operations, ship-borne operations and provided with standards for some criteria: this 516 Issue C, can be downloaded from the cyber threats. may not be the most adequate standard for cases such as flight or crash loads definition.

EUROPEAN DEFENCE MATTERS I 2018 I Issue #16 37 IN THE FIELD: AAR CONFERENCE

First AAR Conference in Eur ope points at ways to fill capab ility gap

On 12 September, some 200 experts, stakeholders, industry representatives and political and military decision-makers from the European, transatlantic and international Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) community gathered in Brussels for the 1st AAR Conference in Europe organised by the European Defence Agency (EDA).

The conference discussed the current state of play (notably Europe’s is catching up on its shortfall in full complementarity with NATO. Even shortfall in this domain) as well as the future opportunities and though Europe is still heavily dependent on US AAR assets, “it is slowly challenges of AAR from a European, transatlantic and international but surely catching up thanks to national and multinational air-to-air perspective. refuelling initiatives which aim to develop a future capability that meets our operational requirements”, Mr Domecq said. In successive sessions and panels, the political, operational and regulatory aspects and problems were analysed and possible The aim is not to duplicate NATO’s efforts but for Europe to be able to act solutions discussed. The event opened with speeches and and to become credible partners, he stressed. “I very much welcome presentations by the then Belgian Minister of Defence, Steven our NATO partners to this conference. The work we do together in AAR Vandeput, the Assistant Secretary General for NATO Defence is exemplary for how we promote close EU-NATO cooperation. The joint investments, Camille Grand, the chairman of the Aerial Refueling political commitment complemented by the excellent staff-to-staff Systems Advisory Group (ARSAG), General John Sams, as well as the cooperation has led to a synchronised and harmonised approach EDA Chief Executive, Jorge Domecq. The conference then continued towards dealing with the AAR shortfall, both on the NATO and EU side”. with high-level panel discussions and debates. EDA’s AAR activities are fully synchronised with NATO’s roadmap for AAR improvements. “This prevents unnecessary duplication but Example for close EU-NATO cooperation more importantly creates opportunities for further collaboration (...) In his speech, Mr Domecq praised AAR as a domain in which Europe By increasing the European AAR capability, the participating nations

38 www.eda.europa.eu First AAR Conference in Eur ope points at ways to fill capab ility gap

also strive to meet their NATO Defence Planning Process (NDPP) targets”, Mr Domecq stated. “The Multinational Multi-Role Tanker Transport Fleet (MMF) is a perfect example of how to get from this shortfall to a capability”.

Way ahead Conference participants widely agreed that considerable work still lies ahead as Europe’s remaining 30% AAR shortfall, especially during operations, cannot be fixed overnight. Discussions pointed towards a variety of complementary steps that should be taken to fill the gap in the coming years, in particular, to: • promote and further expand the MMF beyond the five current participating countries (Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Norway and Belgium). To date, the fleet has ordered eight A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft, the delivery of which is expected between 2020 and 2022. There are currently three options for additional aircraft in place (a potential increase to eleven aircraft in total); • encourage European countries with national AAR programmes in place to procure more assets, especially MRTT aircraft; • increase the procurement of A-400M wing pods to be pooled and shared; • improve the standardisation and streamlining of the international tanker clearance process.

EUROPEAN DEFENCE MATTERS I 2018 I Issue #16 39 www.eda.europa.eu l @EUDefenceAgency i European Defence Agency European Defence Agency