Multiband 4D Radar

The European Defence Fund (EDF) launched a grant opportunity specifically for developing a Multiband 4D Radar system, identified by the topic EDF-2025-DA-SENS-MB4DR-STEP. This initiative aims to enhance strategic autonomy and technological superiority in the contested maritime domain by improving naval capabilities and interoperability among EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries. The budget allocation for this topic is EUR 29.5 million, with a single-stage open call for submissions. The application process starts on February 18, 2025, and the deadline for submitting proposals is October 16, 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time.

Eligible applicants are required to form consortia that may include defense companies, research organizations, and SMEs, adhering to the EU regulations for cooperation between EU Member States and associated countries. The funding mechanism involves actual cost grants, aimed at supporting the design, prototyping, testing, and certification of the radar system.

The core objective of the grant is to create a demonstrator that integrates advanced technologies for enhanced detection capabilities across various domains—sea, land, air, and space. This will involve simultaneous multi-target tracking and upgraded situational awareness, with a notable emphasis on detecting conventional threats as well as emerging ones such as hypersonic projectiles and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) objects.

Mandatory project activities include defining interoperability requirements, conducting feasibility studies, and outlining the system design for the multiband radar operation. Proposals should highlight the outcomes of functional tests and simulations performed during the development process.

Although details on co-funding requirements are not explicitly outlined, incentives for SME participation are mentioned to encourage collaborative efforts. Consequently, while co-funding is suggested, it is not mandated.

Overall, this grant opportunity represents a strategic move to equip EU Member States with cutting-edge radar technologies, facilitating improved defense project integration and operational effectiveness in air and naval surveillance systems. The expectation is for the developed systems to fulfill the strategic needs of European defense while ensuring technological compatibility within existing frameworks.

This is a call for proposals under the European Defence Fund (EDF) for development actions related to a Multiband 4D Radar system, specifically topic EDF-2025-DA-SENS-MB4DR-STEP. The call aims to enhance EU strategic autonomy and technological superiority in the contested maritime domain by improving naval capabilities and interoperability. The indicative budget for this topic is 29,500,000 EUR, and the call follows a single-stage submission process. The opening date for submissions is 18 February 2025, and the deadline is 16 October 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time.

The objective is to demonstrate the enhanced capability of integrating advanced technologies into a multiband 4D radar demonstrator. This demonstrator should form the basis for future EU integrated systems for naval platforms, with potential applications for ground and air surveillance systems. A 4D radar combines 3D radar capabilities (range, azimuth, elevation) with time or velocity as an additional dimension, enabling more accurate target tracking and improved situational awareness.

The specific challenge is to propose a technology integration demonstrator for a future multiband 4D radar system capable of simultaneous sea, land, air, and space warfare capabilities. This system should be integrated into a naval platform's self/area-defence and combat management system, as well as an air surveillance command and control system. The demonstrator should include multifunction capabilities with radar and communications to improve situational awareness and enhance interoperability.

Regarding radar capabilities, the project should aim for enhanced detection of conventional air/surface and Tactical Ballistic Missiles (TBM) targets, as well as emerging threats like tactical and strategical hypersonic targets and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) objects. The system should be integrable into a cooperative network with other platform sensors, providing multi-static operation with cooperative remote assets, and operate simultaneously in multiple frequency bands, covering at least one decade with hybrid active-passive radar operation.

For communications, the project should provide capabilities for managing bidirectional weapon datalinks. The final system should seamlessly integrate within the combat management system and fire control loop, offering multistatic capabilities and enabling communications for datalinks within collaborative signals/carriers. Innovative collaborative capabilities to augment the efficiency of EU Member States’ and EDF Associated Countries’ forces should also be considered.

The scope of proposals must address essential elements for future EU naval radar systems, applicable to ground systems for air surveillance, covering four main areas: intelligent electromagnetic spectrum management, communication links, full integration in a combat management system, and autonomous system design. Proposals must include detection of challenging targets, multiband operation, interoperability, interchangeability, scalability, integration in maritime platforms, modelling, simulation, and functional tests.

Eligible activities include: activities to increase interoperability and resilience, studies such as feasibility studies, and design of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology. System prototyping, testing, qualification, certification, and development of technologies or assets increasing efficiency across the life cycle of defence products and technologies are optional.

Mandatory activities include:
Integrating knowledge: Describe interface requirements for interoperability, define design standards for interoperability and scalability, and elaborate a roadmap for technology needs.
Studies: Define operationally realistic use cases and performance indicators, model tasks for multiband operation, define integration into naval platforms, and perform simulations.
Design: Describe the detailed design architecture and interfaces, define hardware for multiband 4D operation, design the AESA antenna, develop a software model of the system, define software processes for spectrum management, and identify algorithms to optimise performance for various targets.

The proposal should develop a multiband AESA integrated demonstrator as a proof-of-concept, demonstrating it in a controlled environment. The demonstrator should include hardware and software for multiband AESA technology integration and spectrum management. Functional tests should be performed, and results analysed in terms of performance indicators and Measures of Effectiveness (MoEs). The software model should be improved with testing results for further refinement.

Proposals should substantiate synergies and complementarity with other related activities in the field of advance active and passive sensors, such as PADR-EMS-03-2019, EDF-2021-SENS-R-RADAR, EDF-2022-RA-SENS-ART, EDF-2022-RA-SENS-CSENS, EDF-2022-DA-NAVAL-NCS, and EDF-2023-DA-SENS-GRID.

Functional requirements for the proposed 4D Radar include: operation concept definition focused on challenging scenarios, a multiband approach covering at least a decade from L to X bands, communications functionalities, a scalable AESA design, minimal size, weight, and power (SWAP), minimisation of RF emissions, and a conceptual design in accordance with integrated modular and scalable architecture (IMOSA) concepts.

The call document and annexes provide additional information on admissibility conditions, eligible countries, financial and operational capacity, evaluation and award processes, and legal and financial setup. Templates for the application form, budget table, participant information, list of infrastructure, cofinancing declaration, indirect cost methodology declaration, harmonised capability declaration, procurement intent declaration, ownership control declaration, PRS declaration, and model grant agreements are also available.

This call seeks to develop a next-generation, highly integrated, and interoperable radar system for EU naval platforms, contributing to enhanced defence capabilities and strategic autonomy. It emphasizes the integration of advanced technologies, intelligent spectrum management, and seamless integration with existing combat systems. The project aims to deliver a functional demonstrator that can detect a wide range of threats, operate in congested electromagnetic environments, and facilitate effective communication and collaboration between different defence assets.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated, but it can be inferred that the opportunity is targeted towards consortia of entities from EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries, including industry, research organizations, and other relevant stakeholders in the defence sector. The mention of SMEs and start-ups suggests they are also encouraged to apply.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a development action implemented via actual cost grants (EDF-2025-DA).

Consortium Requirement: A consortium is required, as the call emphasizes interoperability and interchangeability between participating EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries and industry. The need for integration of different technological solutions also suggests a consortium approach.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is limited to EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries.

Target Sector: The target sector is defence, specifically focusing on naval capabilities, radar sensor technology, communications, electronic warfare, and air surveillance systems. It also targets deep and digital technologies as it contributes to the STEP objectives.

Mentioned Countries: EU Member States, EDF Associated Countries, Norway, Ukraine (mentioned as ineligible).

Project Stage: The project stage is demonstration, as the call aims to develop a multiband 4D radar demonstrator. Activities also include studies, design, and prototyping, suggesting a technology readiness level (TRL) between 4 and 6, moving towards demonstration in a relevant environment.

Funding Amount: The budget for the topic EDF-2025-DA-SENS-MB4DR-STEP is EUR 29,500,000. Other related topics have budgets ranging from EUR 25,000,000 to EUR 79,000,000.

Application Type: The application type is an open call, with a single-stage submission process.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a grant to fund their project activities.

Application Stages: The application process consists of a single stage.

Success Rates: The indicative number of grants is not specified in the provided text.

Co-funding Requirement: The text mentions a "Cofinancing declaration (EDF DA, DA LS AND ASAP)", suggesting that co-funding from the applicant or other parties may be required.

Summary:

This European Defence Fund (EDF) call, specifically EDF-2025-DA-SENS-MB4DR-STEP, focuses on developing a multiband 4D radar demonstrator for enhanced naval capabilities and air surveillance systems. The call aims to integrate advanced technologies like RF electronics, digital technology, photonics, machine learning, and cloud computing to improve radar sensor capabilities in contested maritime and electromagnetic environments. The goal is to enable EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries to maintain technological superiority and strategic autonomy in defence.

The call requires a consortium of applicants from EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries to propose a technology integration demonstrator for a future multiband 4D radar system. This system should perform simultaneous sea, land, air, and space warfare capabilities and be integrated into naval platforms and air surveillance command and control systems. The project should enhance detection of various targets, including conventional air/surface targets, tactical ballistic missiles, hypersonic targets, and low Earth orbit objects. It should also provide bidirectional weapon datalinks and be seamlessly integrated within combat management systems.

Eligible activities include integrating knowledge, conducting studies, and designing the radar system. System prototyping, testing, qualification, certification, and development of technologies for increased efficiency are optional. The proposed product should meet specific functional requirements, including operation concept definition, multiband approach, communication functionalities, scalable AESA design, and minimal size, weight, and power.

The call contributes to the STEP objectives and targets deep and digital technologies. The total budget for this specific topic is EUR 29,500,000, and the submission deadline is October 16, 2025. Applicants must follow specific guidelines for proposal submission, including page limits, layout, and required documents, and are encouraged to seek synergies with related ongoing activities in the field of advanced sensors.