Propulsion system for next generation rotorcrafts

The EDF-2025-RA grant is focused on the development of advanced propulsion systems specifically for next-generation military rotorcrafts. This initiative is a part of the European Defence Fund (EDF) and emphasizes high-power engine solutions above 3,000 shaft horsepower (shp), aimed at enhancing the European Union's defense capabilities. Applicants must be part of a consortium consisting of at least three entities from three different EU Member States or Norway, ensuring a collaborative effort in the research and development of these technologies. The funding type is an actual cost grant, with an indicative budget of €25 million allocated for this project. The grant supports research activities that include knowledge generation, integration of technologies, feasibility studies, and design processes. However, it excludes system prototyping and testing stages. The call aims to address various objectives including enhanced operational capabilities for military rotorcraft, affordable lifecycle costs, environmental sustainability through the use of sustainable aviation fuels, and innovation in engine control and monitoring technologies. Eligible applicants are primarily defense industry entities such as aerospace manufacturers and research institutes. The proposal process is a single-stage open call, with a deadline of October 16, 2025. The selection criteria will evaluate the technical merit of submissions based on military relevance, innovation potential, and the consortium's effectiveness. Although co-funding is not explicitly required, additional insights and partner searches are encouraged to foster collaboration among applicants. In summary, this grant offers an opportunity for entities within the EU and associated countries to contribute to the advancement of military rotorcraft propulsion systems, aiming for sovereign solutions in defense technology while addressing current capability gaps.

This is a call for proposals under the European Defence Fund (EDF) focusing on the development of a propulsion system for next generation rotorcrafts. The call, titled EDF-2025-RA, is part of the EDF Research Actions (EDF-RA) and aims to mature technologies for a state-of-the-art, breakthrough, affordable, efficient, and high-power engine (above 3000 shp / 2.237 kW) for future EU military rotorcraft systems. The call is implemented via actual cost grants.

The expected impact includes a versatile European propulsion system, affordable lifecycle costs, robust and reliable operation in harsh environments, ease of maintenance, and a sovereign European solution free from export restrictions. The specific objective is to understand future needs of EU Members States and EDF Associated Countries, analyze the transition to future rotorcraft capabilities, and derive design parameters for next-generation propulsion systems, including the conception and pre-design of alternative propulsion systems.

The scope of the proposals should address:a new propulsion system with a breakthrough engine, increased efficiency and performance, matching the requirements of the EU Next Generation Rotorcraft (ENGR), improved capabilities for multi-mission military rotorcraft, minimization of deterioration in harsh environments, reduced fuel usage with a high power-to-weight ratio, cost reduction through design concepts, use of green technologies for lower CO2 emissions, and risk reduction for future development programs. The propulsion system must be ready for conventional fuels and Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). Research activities should be limited to the engine itself and its components, excluding rotors, gearboxes, and shafts.

Eligible activities include:Activities that aim to create, underpin and improve knowledge, products and technologies, including disruptive technologies, which can achieve significant effects in the area of defence (generating knowledge); Activities that aim to increase interoperability and resilience, including secured production and exchange of data, to master critical defence technologies, to strengthen the security of supply or to enable the effective exploitation of results for defence products and technologies (integrating knowledge); Studies, such as feasibility studies to explore the feasibility of new or upgraded products, technologies, processes, services and solutions; Design of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology as well as the definition of the technical specifications on which such design has been developed, including partial tests for risk reduction in an industrial or representative environment. System prototyping, testing, qualification, certification and development of technologies or assets increasing efficiency across the life cycle of defence products and technologies are not eligible.

Mandatory activities include:Generating knowledge: Identification of hybridisation concepts, new generation of materials, study on AI for engine control and monitoring. Integrating knowledge: Preparation of technological and integration solutions for next generation propulsion system for rotorcraft platforms for military applications. Studies: Maturation of technologies to achieve specific performance, scalability and dissemination of results, study of an engine design adapted to a variable-speed rotor helicopter, study on improved engine & fleet management, cost-benefit analysis and forecast of effects on maintenance-effort for each technology, wide usage of 3-D-printed components and novel manufacturing processes associated with innovative repair solutions. Design: Design of a propulsion system for rotorcraft platforms that fulfils the requirements mentioned herein, possibility to perform real-time engine monitoring, trouble shooting and predictive performance and maintenance in deployed operations with remote assistance through virtual reality, augmented reality tools by using a digital twin and AI-based prediction tools, design an engine with very simple and lean maintenance.

Additional activities may include:Study of the technologies developed in the frame of this call, as they may also benefit other propulsion solutions and different rotorcraft applications.

Proposals must substantiate synergies and complementarity with other activities in the field of military rotorcrafts, notably those described in the call topic EDF-2021-AIR-R-NGRT related to Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies and EDF-2024-DA-AIR-NGRT related to Next Generation Rotorcraft, to ensure that the engine and the rotorcraft architectures remain consistent.

Functional requirements include:Scalable technologies to cover a power-range above 3.000 shp / 2.237 kW, Specific Fuel Consumption (SFC) reduction by 25 to 35 %, Horsepower to weight ratio best in class, lower production and operational costs, substantially reduced aircraft fuel burn and hence CO2 emission, compatibility with current and future Sustainable Aviation Fuels, very high level of availability in all military operating conditions, capacity to operate in harsh environments, improved engine robustness, reduced detectability and increased survivability, higher electrical power capacity for future on board systems and hybridisation requirements, capacity to cruise on a "single engine mode" as a normal operating mode of the helicopter.

The call opened on 18 February 2025, and the deadline for submission is 16 October 2025, 17:00:00 Brussels time. The indicative budget for the EDF-2025-RA topic is €25 000 000.

Conditions for participation are detailed in the call document and include admissibility conditions, eligible countries, financial and operational capacity, and exclusion criteria. The proposal page limit and layout are described in Part B of the Application Form. Evaluation and award processes, criteria, scoring, and thresholds are described in the call document and Online Manual. Legal and financial aspects are also detailed in the call document.

Applicants are encouraged to use the provided application form templates, detailed budget table, participant information, list of infrastructure, assets, and resources, actual indirect cost methodology declaration, ownership control declaration, PRS declaration, and Model Grant Agreements. Additional documents such as the EDF Annual Work Programme, EDF Regulation, EU Financial Regulation, and guidelines for legal entity validation are also available.

The call encourages partner searches and provides contact information for help and support.

In summary, this EDF call seeks to foster research and development of advanced propulsion systems for EU military rotorcraft, focusing on efficiency, sustainability, affordability, and European sovereignty in defense technology. It targets a new generation of engines with significantly improved performance and capabilities, ready for future operational demands and environmental considerations.

There are also other calls for proposals:

EDF-2025-RA-C4ISR-MIDS-STEP - EDF-RA EDF Research Actions with a budget of €39 000 000

EDF-2025-RA-GROUND-CBC - EDF-RA EDF Research Actions with a budget of €20 000 000

EDF-2025-RA-MATCOMP-CDA-STEP - EDF-RA EDF Research Actions with a budget of €25 000 000

EDF-2025-RA-MCBRN-ATE - EDF-RA EDF Research Actions with a budget of €10 000 000

EDF-2025-RA-SIMTRAIN-DAFAS - EDF-RA EDF Research Actions with a budget of €28 000 000

EDF-2025-RA-SIMTRAIN-LVC-STEP - EDF-RA EDF Research Actions with a budget of €15 000 000

EDF-2025-RA-UWW-SOASW - EDF-RA EDF Research Actions with a budget of €20 000 000

All of these calls share the same opening date of 2025-02-18 and deadline of 2025-10-16 and are single-stage calls.

Eligible Applicant Types:The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, based on the nature of the European Defence Fund (EDF) and the types of activities supported, eligible applicants could include: research institutes, universities, SMEs, large enterprises, and other entities capable of conducting research and development in the area of defence. The text mentions "EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries," suggesting that entities from these countries are eligible.

Funding Type:The primary financial mechanism is a grant, specifically "EDF Research Actions implemented via actual cost grants (EDF-2025-RA)" and "EDF Action Grant Budget-Based [EDF-AG]".

Consortium Requirement:The opportunity appears to favor a consortium approach. The text mentions "consortium agreement is obligatory in EDF Grants" and encourages partner searches.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):The geographic eligibility includes "EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries". The text also mentions "EU sovereignty" and strengthening the "EU supply chain," implying a focus on entities within the EU and associated countries.

Target Sector:The primary target sector is defence, specifically focusing on the development and maturation of technologies for a new state-of-the-art, breakthrough, affordable, efficient, and high-power engine for future generation of EU military rotorcraft systems. This includes areas such as aerospace, advanced materials, AI for engine control, sustainable aviation fuels, and green technologies.

Mentioned Countries:The text explicitly mentions "EU Member States" and "EDF Associated Countries." It also mentions Norway in the context of ownership and control declaration. It also mentions Ukraine as an entity that cannot participate as a beneficiary, affiliated entity or subcontractor.

Project Stage:The expected maturity of the project is research and development, specifically focusing on developing and maturing technologies. The eligible activities include generating knowledge, integrating knowledge, studies, and design, but exclude system prototyping, testing, qualification, and certification.

Funding Amount:The funding range is variable, with specific topics having different budget allocations. For example, EDF-2025-RA has a budget of €25,000,000. Other topics range from €10,000,000 to €39,000,000.

Application Type:The application type is an open call, as indicated by "Open For Submission". The deadline model is single-stage.

Nature of Support:Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of grants to support their research and development activities.

Application Stages:The application process is a single-stage process.

Success Rates:The success rates are not explicitly mentioned in the provided text.

Co-funding Requirement:The text does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement.

Summary:

This is a call for proposals under the European Defence Fund (EDF) focusing on research actions aimed at developing and maturing technologies for a new generation of high-power engines for EU military rotorcraft systems. The call, designated as EDF-2025-RA, seeks to foster versatile, affordable, robust, and sovereign European propulsion solutions. Eligible applicants should form a consortium and must be based in EU Member States or EDF Associated Countries. The funding mechanism is based on actual cost grants, with a budget of €25,000,000 allocated to the EDF-2025-RA topic. The call supports activities such as generating knowledge, integrating knowledge, conducting studies, and designing propulsion systems, while excluding system prototyping, testing, qualification, and certification. The proposals should address a new propulsion system for rotorcraft platforms with a breakthrough engine that closes the technological gap in the power-range above 3.000 shp / 2.237 kW. The proposals should also address a significant increase of efficiency and performance indicators compared to the actual state of the art propulsion systems for rotorcraft platforms. The application process is a single-stage submission, with a deadline of October 16, 2025. The call aims to enhance EU sovereignty, strengthen the EU supply chain, and promote the use of green technologies and sustainable aviation fuels in military rotorcraft systems.