European aircraft manufacturers are to submit proposals for European Commission-funded research into internal security projects in a bid to replicate US Department of Homeland Security funding. European aerospace association AECMA will finalise a common list this month of its members' security research projects and expects to submit a formal proposal by June.
AECMA deputy secretary general Bernard Jacquot says the association aims to receive funding for a "modest" research programme separate from the existing European Union sixth framework programme of air transport research and a proposed defence research effort. "We need to stimulate research in areas that are not defence and not civilian," says Jacquot.
Potential areas, such as secure communications, airport security and coastguard aircraft, are a common requirement across Europe, he says. "We are speaking to our member companies to find out what projects they would be willing to work together on that would not jeopardise their competitive position," says Jacquot.
The European Convention, which is drawing up a future constitution for an enlarged Europe, has accepted AECMA's proposal to create a European Aerospace and Defence Agency to steer military research projects, which would not be funded by neutral countries. If the AECMA proposal is accepted by the EC, funding would start next year and be contributed by all EU member states on a pro-rata basis.
AECMA is also calling for a change to EU anti-competition rules, to create a "European champion" resulting from the merger of defence manufacturers, while simultaneously relaxing export controls on both sides of the Atlantic.
Source: Flight International