Public procurement notice: Contract Notice
Published: 2024-08-23
Region: BE100
Contract type: Services
Procedure: Open procedure
CPV classification: 35610000: Military aircraft | 35613000 | 35630000 | 71241000 | 73000000
Estimated value: 2900000 EUR
Submission deadline: 2024-10-02
Award criteria: quality, price
EU fund: eu-funds

Technical requirements: For the full list of exclusion grounds please consult the procurement documents.
Military operations rely heavily on secure and unhindered access to airspace. This access is crucial for all aircraft types, from traditional manned aircraft to the newest unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). However, the growing complexity of airspace usage, with the introduction of novel technologies and evolving military tactics, presents a significant challenge.
Recognizing this complexity, the European Defence Agency (EDA) has taken a leading role in promoting safe airspace integration. The "ENABLERS FOR SAFE AIRSPACE INTEGRATION OF MILITARY AIR CAPABILITIES IN THE EUROPEAN SKY " represents a significant initiative aimed at equipping European militaries for efficient and secure airspace access.
This cluster initiative encompasses four distinct projects, each tackling specific aspects of safe airspace integration:
•	Technology Development (Lot 1) : This project focuses on developing and testing new technologies that facilitate seamless and safe integration of UAS into shared airspace.
•	UAS Risk Assessment (Lot 2): This project tackles the crucial task of assessing the risks posed by, and to, unmanned aerial systems operating within shared airspace.
•	High-Altitude Operations (Lot 3):  This project addresses security and defence challenges and opportunities  associated with operations conducted at high altitudes.
•	Need-assessment and Market research (Lot 4): this project aims at collecting the requirements of UAS end-users, conducting state of the art review and conduction a market research to propose future projects scopes on UAS airspace integration.
In a drive to elevate the capabilities of European-made low-cost tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for precision navigation, the new project focuses on two key objectives. Firstly, it seeks to enhance their operational resilience in challenging environments for safe airspace integration – specifically those with limited or denied Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) access and potential electronic jamming threats. Secondly, the project will leverage recent breakthroughs in EU space-based services alongside onboard sensor fusion powered by artificial intelligence. This integration aims to achieve unwavering navigation accuracy regardless of spectrum availability, demonstrably validating its effectiveness through real-world proof-of-concept and demonstration phases.
The successful development of these advanced navigation capabilities for UAS aims to ensure their safe integration into the airspace. By enabling them to navigate precisely even in GNSS-denied environments and mitigate electronic interference, the project directly addresses critical safety concerns. This enhanced autonomy will contribute significantly to deconfliction with manned aircraft, ultimately paving the way for a more streamlined and efficient airspace for all users.
As a European harmonised assessment methodology of Air and Ground risks will facilitate access to the airspace by a Member State when operating in another Member State’s territory with its non-certified UAS, it is paramount to guarantee the Safety and Security aspects from a Military perspective, by having a harmonised risk assessment methodology being as Safe and Secured as the methodology used by the Member States nationally.
The general objective of the new Framework Contract is to expand the online tool developed in the scope of the 2021 FWC to automate most of the risk assessment process by leveraging the MIL-UAS-SPECIFIC methodology or any other harmonised risk assessment methodology accepted by the military. The proposed 	online tool will become a "networking/connecting" platform , with selectable risk assessment methodologies (identification/mitigation of risks) running in the background including a selectable accepted risk level for the UAS operations to cover operations in peace, crisis and war times.
Over the last years and considering the technological advancements, Higher Airspace Operations (HAO) have been in the spotlight. The upcoming EASA regulatory work requires that the civil-military aspects are included. Another important development, the European initiative for Space Traffic Management (STM) and its need to connect to Air Traffic Management (ATM) for launches and re-entries would also require a clear understanding of military aspects.
The objective of this study is therefore to clarify specific military and civil-military aspects in the domain of HAO in order to: a) Analyse the security risks posed by HAO; b) Address potential challenges in order to avoid any adverse impact on national security and defence capabilities with an EU approach. c) Ensure military access to higher airspace. Take advantage of all opportunities, in particular those offered by the civil-military collaboration (e.g., dual use technology, sharing of information) and make the most of the identified synergies.