Digital aviation technologies for new aviation business models, services, emerging global threats and industrial competitiveness

Topic description

ExpectedOutcome:

Project results are expected to contribute to at least one of the following expected outcomes:

• Transformative digital aviation technologies that will enable new European business models and products (e.g. Urban Air-Mobility (UAM), seaplanes) with minimal environmental impact and opportunities for European competitiveness.
• Transformative digital aviation and space technologies as well as Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), that will enable new services with pronounced societal impact for intermodal and multimodal transport, search and rescue operations, fast response to natural disasters, freight, firefighting, high altitude earth data-services, agriculture and forestry.
• New aviation products and services that exploit Artificial Intelligence and have pronounced impact to productivity, efficiency, automation and cost reduction.
• Breakthrough technologies that will minimise the risks from emerging global threats (cybersecurity, COVID-19) as well as increase the resilience of aircraft systems from increasing frequency of extreme weather conditions (e.g. temperature change, wind patterns). Technologies that address applications in difficult to access areas, including the open sea emergency response, avalanches, landslides and floods are within the scope of the topic.
• Transformative and breakthrough technologies that exploit synergies with aviation, space and defence. The development of materials and components for high-power density electrical architectures at high altitude environment (e.g. cabling, insulation, power electronics) are within the scope of this topic.

On 10 March 2020 the Commission presented a new Strategy to help Europe's industry lead the twin transitions towards climate neutrality and digital leadership. Europe needs industry to become greener, more circular and more digital while remaining competitive on the global stage.

The topic aims to enable new digital aviation technologies for new aircraft business models and services, (e.g. EGNSS-based search and rescue, urban air-mobility, firefighting, AI-based technologies, digital data platforms) as well as minimise the risk from emerging threats (extreme weather phenomena, cybersecurity, COVID-19 communicable diseases) to aviation. Synergies with other EU initiatives should be exploited towards European digital platforms that deliver insights and analytics for citizens, businesses and decision makers.

Third-country participation should guarantee and respect European IPR, interests and values.

Activities are expected to achieve TRL 2-4 by the end of the project – see General Annex B.

Artificial Intelligence
Digital Agenda