Airbus A330 MRTT: The 21st century benchmark for new generation tanker/transport aircraft

As the most capable new-generation tanker, combat-proven and with unique multi-role capabilities, the A330 MRTT – based on the successful A330-200 – is the benchmark for multi-role tankers.

As a new-generation tanker, the A330 MRTT is a perfect replacement for older aircraft under fleet replacement programmes. With 60 total aircraft sales as of March 2020, the A330 MRTT has been ordered by Australia (as launch customer), France, NATO, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates and the UK.

More information.

#DYK the Main Ground Combat System programme?

The Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) is a project by France and Germany started in 2012, aiming to replace their currently in-service Leclerc and Leopard 2 main battle tanks (MBTs).

The MGCS is to be built by KMW+Nexter Defense Systems (KNDS) and Rheinmetall. Initial fielding is expected in 2035, with full operational capability (FOC) by 2040.

The ongoing Technology Demonstrator Phase (TDP) consists of two activities running parallel to one another.

The first element of the TDP is focused on researching and evaluating key technologies and components for their suitability for MGCS. These include propulsion systems, passive and active protection systems, weapons (including future weapons technologies), sensors, and vetronics. Each of these technologies is being investigated separately at this time.

Simultaneously, other teams are pursuing a multi-part System Architecture Definition Study (SADS), assessing aspects as: technical feasibility within the projected timeframe allotted for the programme; ability to fulfil the operational needs of both armies; efficiency and compatibility with national networked command and control systems.

The follow-on architecture studies are currently evaluating the operational utility of various comprehensive platform concepts using digital simulation scenarios of varying intensity.

SADS is expected to wrap up in late-2023 and lead to a definitive proposal for the common multi-platform architecture.

Almost 140 participants joined the ENDR Conference in Lisbon

Our partners Klaus Bolving from Censec and Andrea Barbagelata from Leonardo, participated in the round table “The role of SMEs in the development of the Defence supply-chain”.

The European Network of Defence-related Regions Conference “Defence Industry Development: Opportunities and Challenges for SMEs” took place last March 2 in Lisbon.

Stakeholders from the European Defence Industry gathered to discuss the challenges for European SMEs, and more than 170 B2B meetings took place on site and online.

More information.

Klaus Bolving from Censec & Andrea Barbagelata from Leonardo

Klaus Bolving from Censec (right) & Andrea Barbagelata from Leonardo (left)

ASSETs+ will be at EDUCON 2023

The conference will be organized by the American University of Kuwait (AUK). The event will be held in Kuwait, May 1-4, 2023.

Our partners Eric GrIvel and Baptiste Pesquet from Bordeaux INP University will attend the conference and present the papers:

  • “Artificial Intelligence for Defence in an EQF6 Training and Education Programme. From the Design to the Execution”, written by Eric Grivel, Baptiste Pesquet, Tudor-Bogdan Airimitoaie and  Akka Zemmari.
  • “Sharing our positive experience about the ASSETs+ European Defence Challenge”, written by Eric Grivel, Mateo Burgos, Dorota Stadnicka and Gualterio Fantoni.

The IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON) is one of the flagship conferences of the IEEE Education Society. EDUCON 2023 is the 14th in a series of conferences that rotate among central locations in IEEE Region 8 (Europe, Middle East, and Africa).

Held annually since 2010, EDUCON provides an opportunity to scientists, professional engineers, and students to present their work, publish their results, exchange ideas, and network for future scientific and industrial collaborations.

The conference will continue to serve as a catalyst for connecting local and international stakeholders, hence adding value to the global dialogue on how to positively contribute to the advancement of engineering education.

Join us next March 28 on the EDCIII Awards Ceremony!

We will meet the winners of the III edition of the European Defence Challenge online next March 28, 11:00-12:00 CET. The launch of the IV edition of the Challenge will be also announced.

The European Defence Challenge III edition contestants have already presented their final proposals addressing security – threats identification and defence strategies. The jury has now the difficult task of selecting the winner teams that will be announced during the Awards Ceremony, to be held online on March 28, 11:00 CET, with the presence of highly relevant speakers.

Stay tuned!

The European Defence Challenge is an open competition to attract young talent to the Defence industry and to encourage them to initiate a career in defence-related technologies. The challenge asks European students to propose one or more work approaches dealing with topics such as artificial intelligence, sensor technologies, autonomous vehicles, data science, cybersecurity, chip technologies, control, robotics, signal and image processing, and defence-related technologies.

February 14th last day for submitting #EuropeanDefenceChallenge 2nd phase proposals!

Today February 14th  is the last day for submitting 2nd phase proposals! We will meet the winners on the Awards Ceremony on March 28, with the presence of highly relevant speakers.

Stay tuned!

The European Defence Challenge is an open competition to attract young talent to the Defence industry and to encourage them to initiate a career in defence-related technologies. The challenge asks European students to propose one or more work approaches dealing with topics such as artificial intelligence, sensor technologies, autonomous vehicles, data science, cybersecurity, chip technologies, control, robotics, signal and image processing, and defence-related technologies.

New ASSETs+ courses. Register now!

2023 European Year of Skills: New Year, New Goals, New Skills to learn

Currently, more than three quarters of companies in the EU say they have difficulties finding workers with the necessary skills, while only 37% of adults undertake training on a regular basis. The Defence sector is no exception.

The fast pace of technological evolution is radically changing the labour market. Design educational content for the workforce of the near future is essential.

The ASSETs+ project is designing new courses that aim to provide trainees with new skills and knowledge related to key technologies that will be expected in Defence sector in the coming years.

These FREE online programmes are EXCLUSIVE FOR partners of the ASSETs+ consortium and associated stakeholders. If you want to join the ASSETs+ Stakeholders Group and become part of our ecosystem, you just have to fill out a 5 minute form here before signing up for the course.

EDA opens first competition for best defence research papers

The European Defence Agency (EDA) issued on 1 February 2023 its call for applications to its first ever EDA Research, Technology, and Innovation Papers Awards. This contest will reward a total of three original and valuable defence-related papers covering technologies, processes and applications for enhanced future defence.

The winning entries will come up with ideas which, if implemented between now and 2035, would contribute to enhance specific EU defence capabilities. Entries will be judged on their quality and impact, with a special emphasis on technology and innovation to help cover the European Union’s defence needs and shortfalls.

The contest aims to promote and support the work of early career researchers by introducing their work to the defence community, stimulate engagement of innovators to widen their access to emerging and potentially disruptive research, and identify areas in which additional investment is needed to address future defence capability needs.

Each prize winner will receive €4,000.

How to apply?

The deadline for submitting applications is April 2, 2023.

The contest rules and application criteria can be found here and here, (plus the annexes to the call for applications here). The prize will be formally awarded during the 2023 EDA Defence Innovation Days later this year. The contest is open to all citizens of EDA participating Member States.

HEDI

The prize is part of EDA’s growing role in fostering innovation. Following the EU’s Strategic Compass for EU Defence and Security and the creation of the Hub for EU Defence Innovation (HEDI), EDA is tasked with promoting pathways to cutting-edge military capabilities.

The EDA awards are part of that task. HEDI serves to stimulate and facilitate cooperation on defence innovation while ensuring operational benefits with related European Commission activities, notably the EU defence innovation scheme, coherence of output with NATO innovation and other EU defence innovation organisations.

EDA’s wider role

EDA supports its 26 Member States in improving their defence capabilities through European cooperation. Acting as an enabler and facilitator for Ministries of Defence willing to engage in collaborative capability projects, the Agency has become the hub for European defence cooperation with expertise and networks allowing it to the whole spectrum of defence capabilities.

Member States use EDA as an intergovernmental expert platform where their collaborative projects are supported, facilitated, and implemented. For more details, please see here.

Source: https://eda.europa.eu/news-and-events/news/2023/02/01/eda-opens-first-competition-for-best-defence-research-papers

New ASSETs+ free online course: “Cybersecurity in the digital world”

Learn from the basics to some advanced techniques with this 22‐hours free course that will take place from February 21 to March 9.

Technology is at the core of our daily life and, in this vein, cyberattacks are on the rise. In this regard, cybersecurity knowledge is essential to protect our assets.

With this ASSETs+ free online course you will learn the main concepts of cybersecurity, advanced ways to protect information and network, as well as some cyberattack techniques and legal issues.

Pre-requisites: Computer basics

You can sign up for one or more modules for free. Every course is taught in English and has an assessment. Upon completion, you will get an achievement certificate.

Focussed on:

  • Professionals working in Defence Industry (up-skilling and re-skilling activities), and
  • Engineering Degree/Master students

IMPORTANT: This programme is EXCLUSIVE FOR partners of the ASSETs+ consortium and associated stakeholders. If you want to join the ASSETs+ Stakeholders Group and become part of our ecosystem, you just have to fill out a 5 minute form here. before signing up for the course.