EU-wide Advantages and Opportunities for "Next Generation Aircraft Autonomy Technologies for Cockpit / Pilot Assistance" (HORIZON-CL5-2025-03-T)

1. Single Market Access (≈450 million citizens)

• Access a unified aviation market comprising 27 EU Member States + EEA/EFTA & associated countries without customs or regulatory frictions.

• One certification path via EASA accepted EU-wide lowers time-to-market for new cockpit components, avionics SW/HW and AI-based decision-support tools.

• Creates a homogeneous launch-base for retro-fit solutions across >7 000 EU-registered commercial aircraft and >50 000 GA aircraft, accelerating commercial uptake.

2. Cross-Border Collaboration & Knowledge Exchange

• Consortia can blend Europe’s OEMs (e.g. Airbus, Leonardo, Dassault) with Tier-1 avionics suppliers, AI/ML start-ups, and Human-Factors labs in >3 eligible states—meeting Horizon Europe eligibility while tapping complementary expertise.

• Direct links to Clean Aviation & SESAR 3 Joint Undertakings enable shared test assets (iron-birds, VR cockpits, digital twins) and access to previous CS2 demonstrator data.

• Mobility programmes (Marie-Skłodowska-Curie, Erasmus+ training modules) help circulate doctoral and post-doc talent through project testbeds.

3. Alignment with Key EU Strategies

• European Green Deal & Fit-for-55: lighter avionics and SWaP reductions directly cut fuel burn & lifecycle CO₂.

• Digital Europe & EU AI Act: project integrates trustworthy, human-centric AI; early alignment eases future conformity assessments under upcoming legislation.

• Strategic Compass & Open Strategic Autonomy: bolsters a sovereign EU supply chain for flight-critical autonomy tech, reducing dependence on third-country avionics.

• Cybersecurity Act / NIS2: focus on cyber-resilient cockpits advances EU ambitions for secure digital infrastructure.

4. EU-Wide Regulatory Harmonisation

• Single dialogue with EASA for AI road-map, new certification methodologies & simulators >> avoids 27 distinct national authorisations.

• Alignment with EU Standardisation Bodies (EUROCAE, CEN/CENELEC) streamlines pan-European standards (e.g. ED-280, ED-287 for AI in aviation).

• Access to European Sky ATM Research (SESAR) validation platforms ensures future ATM harmonisation for single-pilot operations.

5. Embedding in Europe’s Innovation Ecosystem

• Collaboration with Leading RTOs (DLR, ONERA, CIRA, VTT, Fraunhofer) for TRL-4 prototypes, wind-tunnel & human-in-the-loop facilities.

• Utilise EuroHPC JU super-computers for AI training and digital-twin simulations.

• Interface with EIT Manufacturing & EIT Digital for business acceleration and IP coaching.

6. Funding Synergies & Leverage

• After TRL-4, scale via Clean Aviation (IA), SESAR 3 (VLD), or CEF2 Transport for large-scale ground/flight demos.

• Combine with InvestEU Green Transition window or EIB Green Mobility loans for industrialisation.

• Regional co-funding from ERDF / Just Transition Funds for pilot production sites in less-developed regions, supporting cohesion policy.

• Use European Defence Fund (EDF) for dual-use spinoffs (sense-and-avoid, resilient GNSS).

7. Market Scale & Impact Potential

• Harmonised EU operator base enables rapid fleet retrofit and standard cockpit architecture for next-gen narrow-body programs (A320neo successor, ATR Evo).

• EU leadership in autonomy may capture significant share of the forecast €30 bn global cockpit automation market (2028-2040).

• Standardised European solutions strengthen bargaining power in ICAO & SAE standard-setting, multiplying global exports.

8. Unique Strategic Value vs National-Level Schemes

1. Critical mass: Pooling budgets from 27 MS offers €4–6 m per RIA, impossible for single state.

2. Transnational test corridors (e.g. Spain–France–Germany) allow validation across diverse ATC/terrain & climatic conditions.

3. IPR Portability: single Horizon Europe grant agreement clarifies ownership and exploitation across borders.

4. Visibility & Branding: “Funded by the EU” label supports credibility when negotiating with airlines & leasing companies globally.

9. Actionable Tips for Proposers

• Build a consortium that covers all cockpit layers: sensors → AI algorithms → HMI → certification.

• Secure letters of support from Airlines & Air Navigation Service Providers to evidence market pull.

• Map deliverables to at least two Expected Outcomes (safety + efficiency / digitalisation) and to SRIA milestones.

• Exploit Copernicus / Galileo data to satisfy topic requirements and gain extra evaluation points.

---

Bottom Line: Leveraging Horizon-Europe-wide resources, regulatory unity, and strategic programmes offers unmatched scale, speed-to-market, and policy alignment that national funds alone cannot provide, positioning EU actors at the forefront of safe, efficient, and green autonomous flight.