Deadline Date: September 29, 2026
The High-End Endo-Atmospheric Interception topic seeks to advance critical technologies for a next-generation interceptor capable of countering emerging hypersonic and ballistic threats within the European defence framework.
The focus areas, objectives and priorities of this topic include maturing key technologies required to counter hypersonic and ballistic threats; building on initial concept designs and advancing technologies through dedicated demonstrators; developing components such as airframe, propulsion, platform separation, lethality, threat tracking and acquisition systems; reaching at least TRL 6 at system level by 2030; supporting a future preliminary design review of the full interceptor system; paving the way for a post-2030 development and industrialisation phase including qualification and certification; addressing A2AD and BMD capability shortfalls; and contributing to the STEP objectives in the target investment area of defence technologies.
The indicative budget allocated for this topic under the EDF-2026-DA call is EUR 100,000,000, with an additional EUR 2,000,000 allocated for the remuneration of the entrusted entity. Activities supported under this topic include studies, design, system prototyping, testing, and related upstream and downstream development actions.
Air superiority remains a priority under the revised 2023 Capability Development Plan, particularly in response to anti-access area denial and ballistic missile defence capability gaps. The emergence of manoeuvring ballistic missiles, hypersonic cruise missiles including air-launched variants, and hypersonic glide vehicles presents increasing challenges to both ground and naval-based air defence systems across Europe and within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization framework.
This topic builds on existing European expertise in weapon systems and missile design to develop an endo-atmospheric interceptor capable of addressing post-2030 ballistic and cruise missile threats. The initiative is designed to complement earlier concept phase activities and transition technological advancements toward system-level maturity.
Implementation will be carried out in indirect management by the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation through a Contribution Agreement. The entrusted entity will manage actual cost grants awarded following a competitive call process.
Eligible participants must be legal entities established in EU Member States, including overseas countries and territories, or in listed EEA countries and countries associated with the EDF Programme. Applicants must have their executive management structures in eligible countries and must not be controlled by non-associated third countries unless approved guarantees are provided.
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