CFPs: Highly automated ATM for all Airspace Users

Deadline: 16 September 2025

The European Commission is inviting proposals to significantly advance the development of Highly automated ATM for all airspace users.

Scopes

Development of on-board non-cooperative sensors in support of detect and avoid (DAA)
- This research element covers the development of on-board non-cooperative sensors for crewed and uncrewed aircraft to detect intruders or other obstacles and enable a detect and avoid (DAA) capability (e.g., while flying in airspace with heterogeneous/mixed types of traffic or to detect unauthorised drones in controlled airspace). These non-cooperative sensors can scan the airspace and determine if certain measure of the sensor(s) can be associated to an object that represents a collision threat.
Enhanced automation support for space-launch management
- This element covers the development of enhanced procedures and enhanced supporting tools for the management of space-launch operations at the level of NM, local ATFM units and ATC. It includes space data integration (from Launch and Re-entry Operators (LRO), Launch and Re-entry site operators (LRSO), and STM with ATM) for specific operational scenarios (e.g. launch, re-entry, sub-orbital), contingency/emergency management and required external interfaces (local ATM services, outer regions, space agencies etc.).
IFR RPAS integration in airspace classes D to E
- Research aims at the full integration of IFR RPAS in airspace D to E, covering all types of uncrewed AU (fixed-wing, helicopters and VCA). The research shall address the integration of IFR RPAS in case of controlled airspace (class D and E). For controlled airspace, the impact on ATC of the use of DAA systems must be addressed, including a study of the compatibility of the RWC alert thresholds and the ATC separation processes. The safety case must pay particular attention to making the assessment considering the “work as done” for the management of crewed IFR vs. VFR separation in Europe in class D and E and investigate its applicability to the management of the separation between uncrewed IFR and VFR. Research may address the potential impact on capacity due to the increase workload caused by IFR RPAS.
IFR RPAS integration in airspace classes F to G
- Research aims at the full integration of IFR RPAS in airspace F to G, covering all types of uncrewed AU (fixed-wing, helicopters and VCA). It must be noted that crewed IFR operations in class G are not allowed in many European states, but they are allowed in some others. For the purpose of the research, it should be assumed that crewed IFR flight is allowed in class G, and the scope of the research is to extend the concept to uncrewed IFR flights. The technological development of DAA systems is also in scope. Note that there is on-going work by project IRINA solution 0380 “RPAS accommodated operations non-segregated in airspace classes D to G.
Safe integration of lower performance IFR RPAS in the European airspace
- In the context of integration of remotely managed drone operations into the European airspace, there is a need for future research on lower performance certified RPAS, particularly with regards to low size weight and power (SWaP), including:
  - Smaller low-power DAA systems for their integration in controlled airspace (classes A-E) and uncontrolled shared airspace (classes F and G), considering both cooperative and uncooperative targets. Encounter models should also be enhanced for this domain including small light non-cooperative targets
  - Smaller low-power IFR equipment, and research into potential adaptation of IFR procedures and ATC clearance for these vehicles.
Dual-frequency multi-constellation (DFMC) global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) based on satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) / aircraft-based augmentation system (ABAS) receivers
- Research aims at developing DFMC GNSS/SBAS/ABAS receivers and additional avionics systems processing GPS and Galileo signals in L1/E1 and L5/E5, considering architectural considerations, assessing transitional aspects, and exploiting synergies and complementarities between different augmentations (DFMC ABAS (advanced receiver autonomous integrity monitoring) and DFMC SBAS) in nominal and degraded modes.
High-altitude operations (HAO) GNSS and inertial sensors
- This research area refers to the expansion of navigation infrastructure is necessary to meet the demands of high-altitude pseudo-satellites (HAPS), supersonic and hypersonic aircraft, and space launches. This may involve the performance assessment of GNSS systems supplemented with inertial systems to serve as backup during temporary GNSS outages caused by high-speed plasma formation or space radiation effects.
Airborne-based alternative – Position, Navigation and Timing (A-PNT)
- Global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) including Galileo and the European geostationary navigation overlay service (EGNOS), are usually considered as suitable technologies for providing position, navigation, and timing (PNT) information as required. However, GNSS can be subject to local (e.g., interference, spoofing, jamming) or global (ionospheric issues, system fault) outages, and it also presents service limitations in those areas where there is limited sky visibility.

Funding Information

Budget (million EUR) for 2025: 30 Million
Maximum expected EU contribution per project (million EUR): 6 Million
The maximum project duration is 36 months.

Eligibility Criteria

Any legal entity, regardless of its place of establishment, including legal entities from no associated third countries or international organisations (including international European research organisations) is eligible to participate (whether it is eligible for funding or not), provided that the conditions laid down in the Horizon Europe Regulation have been met, along with any other conditions laid down in the specific call/topic.
A ‘legal entity’ means any natural or legal person created and recognised as such under national law, EU law or international law, which has legal personality and which may, acting in its own name, exercise rights and be subject to obligations, or an entity without legal personality.
Entities eligible for funding:
- To be eligible for funding, applicants must be established in one of the following countries:
  - the Member States of the European Union, including their outermost regions:
    - Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
  - the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) linked to the Member States:
    - Aruba (NL), Bonaire (NL), Curação (NL), French Polynesia (FR), French Southern and Antarctic Territories (FR), Greenland (DK), New Caledonia (FR), Saba (NL), Saint Barthélemy (FR), Sint Eustatius (NL), Sint Maarten (NL), St. Pierre and Miquelon (FR), Wallis and Futuna Islands (FR).
  - Countries associated to Horizon Europe;
    - Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Tunisia, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Kingdom.