Transition towards high performance of air-ground connectivity (multilink)
Horizon Europe SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking Research and Innovation Actions
Funding Amount
€2.0M - €7.0M
Deadline
16/09/2025
Eligible Organization Types
Non-profit, Private Business, Research Institution, Public Institution
Trusted by
What is the Transition towards high performance of air-ground connectivity (multilink) Call?
Grant Description
Research and innovation actions to develop and validate next-generation aeronautical communications and onboard sensor systems. Projects will complete the development of successors to VHF datalink mode 2 – including L-band digital aeronautical communications, hyper-connected air traffic management and satellite communications – and advance aircraft-as-sensor capabilities for meteorological and safety data. Proposals must demonstrate end-to-end cockpit communications, digital voice services and s...
Required Results for Successful Funding
Expected Outcomes
• IR-2-01: Fully develop successors to VHF Datalink Mode 2 (VDL 2): L-DACS, Hyper-Connected ATM and satellite communications solutions for civil-military dual-use, demonstrating safety, security and performance compliance.
• IR-2-02: Enable ‘aircraft as a sensor’ capabilities, including real-time downlink of humidity, turbulence, icing, wind, space weather and runway condition data to ground systems, improving MET services, contrail prediction and environmental impact models.
• Enhanced airborne systems (sensor and communication) and air-ground links validated through live flight trials.
• Operational CONOPS defined for digital voice replacement of VHF.
• Contributions to EUROCAE WG-76, RTCA SC-206, ICAO MET/turbulence standards and SWIM purple profile services.
• Prototype LIDAR-based ATM applications, pitot-static replacements and runway incursion detection demonstrated.
• Business models and ground-sensor fusion services for MET and safety-critical data aggregated and distributed.
• Global interoperability and multi-link backup resilience proven in intercontinental flight demonstrations.
• IR-2-02: Enable ‘aircraft as a sensor’ capabilities, including real-time downlink of humidity, turbulence, icing, wind, space weather and runway condition data to ground systems, improving MET services, contrail prediction and environmental impact models.
• Enhanced airborne systems (sensor and communication) and air-ground links validated through live flight trials.
• Operational CONOPS defined for digital voice replacement of VHF.
• Contributions to EUROCAE WG-76, RTCA SC-206, ICAO MET/turbulence standards and SWIM purple profile services.
• Prototype LIDAR-based ATM applications, pitot-static replacements and runway incursion detection demonstrated.
• Business models and ground-sensor fusion services for MET and safety-critical data aggregated and distributed.
• Global interoperability and multi-link backup resilience proven in intercontinental flight demonstrations.
Funded areas
Scope Requirements
Proposals must:
• Target TRL 6 completion for Hyper-Connected ATM and digital voice capabilities, with no deviation accepted.
• Address all three main R&I strands: 1. Hyper-Connected ATM: integration into ACARS/ATN-OSI and full ATN/IPS/FCI environments; multi-link safety and non-safety data traffic management; cybersecurity enhancements; spectrum conflict resolution; applicability to high-altitude operations. 2. Digital Voice: CONOPS definition; technical capability over L-DACS, Satcom and hyper-connected ATM; interoperability with military RF systems; live flight demonstrations. 3. Aircraft as a Sensor: development of MET and non-CO₂ emissions sensors; two-way data-link of weather, turbulence, space weather, humidity and runway condition codes; novel avionics and crew procedures; obstacle/runway incursion detection; LIDAR-based pitot-static replacements and icing severity quantification; data aggregation, fusion with ground sensors and service distribution.
• Be fully aligned with the European ATM Master Plan priorities.
• Include live flight trials in Europe (and optionally intercontinental) with test aircraft carrying pre-industrial prototypes.
• Justify any additional research elements by their direct contribution to expected outcomes.
• Target TRL 6 completion for Hyper-Connected ATM and digital voice capabilities, with no deviation accepted.
• Address all three main R&I strands: 1. Hyper-Connected ATM: integration into ACARS/ATN-OSI and full ATN/IPS/FCI environments; multi-link safety and non-safety data traffic management; cybersecurity enhancements; spectrum conflict resolution; applicability to high-altitude operations. 2. Digital Voice: CONOPS definition; technical capability over L-DACS, Satcom and hyper-connected ATM; interoperability with military RF systems; live flight demonstrations. 3. Aircraft as a Sensor: development of MET and non-CO₂ emissions sensors; two-way data-link of weather, turbulence, space weather, humidity and runway condition codes; novel avionics and crew procedures; obstacle/runway incursion detection; LIDAR-based pitot-static replacements and icing severity quantification; data aggregation, fusion with ground sensors and service distribution.
• Be fully aligned with the European ATM Master Plan priorities.
• Include live flight trials in Europe (and optionally intercontinental) with test aircraft carrying pre-industrial prototypes.
• Justify any additional research elements by their direct contribution to expected outcomes.
Additional Conditions for Applicants
Special Conditions
• Type of Action: HORIZON-JU-RIA under a lump-sum MGA; single-stage submission by 16 Sept 2025, 17:00 Brussels time.
• Maximum project duration: 36 months; funding rate fixed at 70% for all beneficiaries; eligible costs covered as lump sums.
• Mandatory completion at TRL 6 for Hyper-Connected ATM and digital voice work-packages.
• Civil-military RF spectrum compatibility must be addressed.
• Proposals must demonstrate alignment and mutual access to linked actions (SESAR 2022 calls), with a collaboration agreement.
• Additional dissemination obligations: royalty-free sharing of results within call finishers; additional exploitation obligations including FAIR reuse of results, non-exclusive royalty-free licensing for standardization, mutual background/result access for linked actions.
• Admissibility, country eligibility, exclusion, evaluation and award procedures follow Horizon Europe General Annexes; evaluation weighting: Excellence 40%, Impact 40%, Implementation 20%.
• Maximum project duration: 36 months; funding rate fixed at 70% for all beneficiaries; eligible costs covered as lump sums.
• Mandatory completion at TRL 6 for Hyper-Connected ATM and digital voice work-packages.
• Civil-military RF spectrum compatibility must be addressed.
• Proposals must demonstrate alignment and mutual access to linked actions (SESAR 2022 calls), with a collaboration agreement.
• Additional dissemination obligations: royalty-free sharing of results within call finishers; additional exploitation obligations including FAIR reuse of results, non-exclusive royalty-free licensing for standardization, mutual background/result access for linked actions.
• Admissibility, country eligibility, exclusion, evaluation and award procedures follow Horizon Europe General Annexes; evaluation weighting: Excellence 40%, Impact 40%, Implementation 20%.
Important dates
Open from: 01/04/2025
Deadline:16/09/2025
Application period has ended
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