The effects of attacks on structures such as buildings, plants, oil tanks, pipelines, bridges, dams, etc., are a common subject of concern to military planners and engineers, weaponeers, munition designers, battle damage assessors, and modelling and simulation analysts and developers. However, predicting such effects currently involves a large uncertainty due to the difficulty in estimating the relevant characteristics of these structures. There is therefore a need to efficiently estimate such characteristics from available data such as imagery or documentation and to combine them with effect prediction models to provide reliable predictions. During operations, this should be performed in a limited time and possibly with limited available computing power. This is especially important for relatively large urban areas including many structures.
Software solutions for automated structural modelling and effect prediction should therefore be developed. They should offer the best possible accuracy, and trust should be ensured in the measurement of their performances. Given the complexity of the task, they need to rely not only on physics-based models but also on artificial intelligence, and they should be evaluated in an objective manner on data that is representative of the targeted use cases. This involves the collection and annotation of representative data. In order to ensure the reproducibility of experiments and for economic reasons, it is important that such data is reusable for similar developments, including by other technology developers. It also involves the testing of systems on new data using documented metrics and testing protocols, in a way that ensures comparability with similar systems developed by such other actors.
Models for the prediction of effects of weapons on structures are often used in conjunction with other models in decision support tools, for example to estimate freedom of manoeuvre or effectiveness of communication. Scalability and compatibility with such other models and tools should therefore be ensured.
Scope:Proposals must address the development and evaluation of software systems for modelling structures from multisource imagery and other relevant available data, and for accurately predicting the effects of weapons on these structures. This includes the collection of relevant databases for training and testing the systems.
Types of activities
The following table lists the types of activities which are eligible for this topic, and whether they are mandatory or optional (see Article 10(3) EDF Regulation):
Types of activities (art 10(3) EDF Regulation) | Eligible? | |
(a) | Activities that aim to create, underpin and improve knowledge, products and technologies, including disruptive technologies, which can achieve significant effects in the area of defence (generating knowledge) | Yes(mandatory) |
(b) | Activities that aim to increase interoperability and resilience, including secured production and exchange of data, to master critical defence technologies, to strengthen the security of supply or to enable the effective exploitation of results for defence products and technologies (integrating knowledge) | Yes(mandatory) |
(c) | Studies, such as feasibility studies to explore the feasibility of new or upgraded products, technologies, processes, services and solutions | Yes(optional) |
(d) | Design of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology as well as the definition of the technical specifications on which such a design has been developed, including any partial test for risk reduction in an industrial or representative environment | Yes(optional) |
(e) | System prototyping of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology | No |
(f) | Testing of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology | No |
(g) | Qualification of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology | No |
(h) | Certification of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology | No |
(i) | Development of technologies or assets increasing efficiency across the life cycle of defence products and technologies | No |
Accordingly, the proposals must cover at least the following tasks as part of mandatory activities:
In addition, the proposals may also cover the following tasks:
The proposals should substantiate synergies and complementarities with foreseen, ongoing, or completed activities in the fields of automated structural modelling and effect prediction.
Functional requirements
The proposed product and technologies should meet the following functional requirements:
The outcomes can not only have a positive impact on a wide range of military activities, but may also have a dual use potential. They should in particular contribute to:
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