EDF: Stand-off Anti-Submarine Warfare Engagement

Aims

• The aim of this activity is the identification of feasible common effector components, like V/ULW torpedoes or depth charges, which can be deployed by systems, which are usable for other purposes or in other warfare areas or even other warfare domains as well, like Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)/ Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV) for reconnaissance and surveillance, affordable precision strike capability, or deploying sensors like sonobuoys, in a configuration similar to the multiple launch rocket system. This approach may allow greater degree of flexibility for the procurement of systems and as well reduce individual integration, certification and storage footprints thus increasing their viability for navies of EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries.

Specific Objective

• Market available rocket-launched torpedoes like the VL ASROC or MILAS are being launched from the Vertical Launch Systems (VLS) or upper deck surface-to-surface missile (SSM) containers, therefore consuming the very limited space and weight that could otherwise be used for air defence missiles or strike capabilities, increasingly required for present and future Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) threat environment, to achieve the Surface Warfare mission.
• Current developments in the field of torpedo technology aim at developing very-lightweight torpedoes (VLWT) and ultra-lightweight torpedoes (ULWT). In combination with market available or tailored unmanned vehicles or rocket propulsion, these could provide a cost effective, flexible and lightweight, long-range stand-off ASW capability with a small footprint on the system “surface warship”. Furthermore, some of these technologies may offer cost-effective solutions to engage larger Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) as well. However, these new developments pose new challenges because of a reduced underwater effective range and the simultaneous requirement for extended range for transfer from the launching unit to the target area and with greater precision, delivering the effector at shorter range from its target, by suitable means to be determined. The surface warship requires an optimisation of its UW sensor suite for the prerequisite long-range detection and classification of targets with higher accuracy and update rates, which must be addressed before these new stand-off capabilities can develop their full potential.
• Future multi-domain mission profiles require enhanced firepower distributed on board smaller size surface combatants, demanding for new and more flexible approach that delivers solutions able to be integrated in a multi-mission or multi- weapons bay, where both offboard and onboard sensors and effectors, can be loaded and integrated in a mission tailored configuration.

Funding Information

• The estimated available call budget is EUR 20000000.
• Project duration: between 12 and 48 months.

Eligible Projects

• Proposals should cover the definition of a respective preliminary system design and plan for demonstration of a stand-off ASW engagement capability from sensor to effector.
• Different combinations of sensor systems, delivery systems and effectors should be investigated, with the view of a concept of optimised solutions that enable engagements against submerged submarines and larger UUV at ranges exceeding 40nm.
• The activities must aim at establishing a common understanding of the problem, a thorough investigation of different technologies and available products and simulation activities to conceptually define the most promising combination, eventually including one alternative for distinction with regard to effectivity, diversity of technological approaches, and economical aspects.
• The activity must include a plan for a way forward towards a full-fledged capability solution. The proposal should seek for complementarity and avoid unnecessary duplication with other ongoing cooperation activities and projects in the same domain.

Eligible Activities

• Accordingly, the proposals must cover at least the following tasks as part of mandatory activities:
  • Generating Knowledge, Integrating Knowledge, and Studies:
    • Feasibility study on V/ULWT for long-range ASW engagement, assessing their performance (e.g., in terms of range, speed, accuracy, payload capacity), evaluating their integration on UxVs and rocket propulsion systems.
    • Feasibility study on UW sensor suites for long-range detection. The study must cover gaps and limitations in current sensor systems.
    • Explore the use of UAVs and USVs for deploying ASW effectors.
    • Evaluate the existing capabilities of legacy UAVs and USVs to carry and deploy V/ULWT.
    • Perform a cost-benefit analysis of various ASW engagement technologies and approaches.
    • Perform a market and technology analysis, providing a comprehensive picture of possible launch platforms for Stand-off ASW weapons and provide a technology roadmap for the development of the capability.
  • In addition, the following tasks should be performed:
    • Studies:
      • Explore the use of UAVs and USVs for deploying ASW sensors and conduct reconnaissance operations.
    • Design:
      • Simulation activities should be performed in order to evaluate suitable combinations, optimal configurations and operational scenarios for further development.
    • Simulate various sensor deployments scenarios to determine the most effective configurations (related with the optimisation of UW sensor suites).
      • Provide a draft concept and architecture.

Eligibility Criteria

• In order to be eligible, all applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must cumulatively:
  • Be legal entities (public or private bodies)
  • Be established in one of the eligible countries, i.e.:
    • EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories (OCTs))
    • Non-EU countries:
      • Listed EEA countries (‘EDF associated countries’; list of participating countries)
• Have their executive management structure established in eligible countries − not be subject to control by a non-associated third country or non-associated third-country entity (unless they can provide guarantees– approved by the Member State or EDF associated country where they are established)

For more information, visit European Commission.