In its objective of traction and maximizing the innovation capacity of the entire Spanish industrial ecosystem, Indra has launched “The FCAS Challenge”, a call to add startups, SMEs and national technology centers to the challenge of developing emerging and disruptive technologies in the framework of FCAS, the program that develops the future European air combat system, of which Indra is the national industrial coordinator. The call is open until December 22. Startups and SMEs that want to contribute their proposals can do so through the website, which has all the details of the initiative and the bases for participation. “The FCAS Challenge” aims to attract companies and technology centers with cutting-edge technologies or highly innovative projects, with the aim of collaborating in the development, promotion and maturation of their technological proposal around the following topics:
1. Mission sensors.
Technology for the sensorization of future combat air systems (radar, electronic warfare, electro-optics, digital and software-defined sensors, etc.).
2. Signals intelligence.
Signal processing to convert information into knowledge (RF signals, optical signals, images, sensor fusion, etc.).
3. Smart Communications.
Intelligent and secure communications systems for the new generation of airborne platforms.
4. Combat Cloud.
Distributed services for combat air systems with a collaborative approach.
Artificial Intelligence, data management in distributed clouds, technologies for low observability sensors, simulation and representation of information, optical technologies, or radio frequency (RF) and microwaves, are some of the technologies of greatest interest to the initiative. “At Indra, as the national coordinator of the program, we take on the challenge of structuring a new collaboration model and creating a new highly innovative national defense ecosystem, which also attracts small and medium-sized companies, universities, spinoffs and research organizations, which They have not always been part of the sector.
Our objective is to maximize innovation and the development of disruptive technologies that are unimaginable today, which in many cases will have a dual application, both military and civil,” highlighted Daniel de Lorenzo, Business Director of Indra's FCAS program. FCAS is the largest collaborative defense program in Europe, in which Germany, France and Spain participate. It is a system of systems that consists of a new generation fighter, teaming up with a series of remote operators, all of them connected and working as a single entity thanks to the combat cloud, which interconnects the set in real time and with other platforms. aerial, terrestrial, naval and satellite. The result will mean a paradigm shift in the sector and will have a great technological and industrial impact. “The FCAS Challenge” plans to hold an event in January, in which a jury of experts will announce the selected proposals that may address a collaboration with Indra within the framework of the program.
