Autonomous and automatic air-to-air refuelling
Funds a contractor to develop sensor and control technology that lets tanker and receiver aircraft refuel each other automatically.
Autonomous and automatic air-to-air refuelling is a single-stage European Defence Fund Research Action that funds a contractor to develop sensor systems — hardware and sensor fusion in particular — giving tanker, receiver and refuelling aircraft accurate relative navigation in adverse conditions to automate air-to-air refuelling, plus better optical sensors, image processing, flight-control algori…
The Commission wants sensor systems — hardware and sensor fusion in particular — that give tanker, receiver and refuelling systems accurate relative navigation, even in adverse conditions, to automate air-to-air refuelling. It's also after better optical sensors, image processing, flight-control algorithms and pilot-assistance interfaces to make docking and refuelling safer and faster, including for future unmanned aircraft.
Sign up free to see the funding breakdown
Sign up free to see the industries in scope
Sign up free to see the full eligibility
Sign up free to see how to apply
Sign up free to see the timeline
Sign up free to see where teams trip up
Guides for this application
All guides →Grants for Robotics Startups: SBIR, Defense, NSF, and Pilot Funding
A practical guide to grants for robotics startups, including SBIR/STTR, NSF, DoD, NASA, field validation, TRL, pilot evidence, budgets, and commercialization strategy.
Find grantsGovernment Grants for Startups: What Deeptech Founders Should Know
A practical guide to government grants for startups, including Grants.gov, SBIR/STTR, state programs, eligibility, fit, timelines, and when to apply.
Start hereDeep Tech Funding Playbook 2026
Data-driven guide for deeptech founders raising capital, covering valuations, investor expectations, fundraising tactics, and a map of 1,200+ deeptech funds.
More from European Commission
All grants from this funder →Coordination for Cross-Sector Nuclear Technologies
🇪🇺European Commission · European Union
Funds coordination of European nuclear research platforms across energy, medicine, space, maritime uses and radiation protection.
Euratom Radiation Protection Partnership (PIANOFORTE)
🇪🇺European Commission · European Union
Funds PIANOFORTE’s 2026-27 continuation, an EU radiation-safety research partnership — only for its current members and any partner who joins them.
European Stable Isotopes for Nuclear Medicine
🇪🇺European Commission · European Union
Funds industrial production of stable isotopes needed for radionuclide therapies and a more resilient European medical supply chain.
Horizon Batteries: EV Recycling Pilot with India
🇪🇺European Commission · European Union
Funds a €9.4M lithium-ion battery recycling pilot line in India, matched to a separately funded Indian project on the same schedule.
Horizon Batteries: Sustainable Electrode Materials
🇪🇺European Commission · European Union
Funds four €7.1M projects that make battery electrode materials cleaner to produce — via greener refining or plant-based sourcing instead of mined graphite.
Horizon Buildings: Whole Life Carbon Data Platforms
🇪🇺European Commission · European Union
Funds three €5.25M projects that plug embodied and operational carbon data into building certificates, passports and BIM tools.
Similar grants
Browse the directory →
SBO Security and Defence
🇧🇪FWO · Belgium
Funds strategic basic research in security and defense aligned with space, maritime, aviation, and cybersecurity priorities.
RAPID
🇫🇷AID · France
Funds dual use technology exploration for French small businesses and mid size firms in defense and advanced engineering.
SPIN: Rise
🇪🇺28DIGITAL · European Union
Offers early-career deep-tech researchers a free venture-creation and pre-incubation programme with training, coaching and a European bootcamp.
Defence Rapid Impact
UKDI / DASA · United Kingdom
Funds innovators from any country developing near-term defence technology prototypes at TRL 6 or 7 through the MOD Defence Innovation Fund.
NATO DIANA Challenge Programme
NATO DIANA · Global / Multinational
Funds for-profit deep-tech companies from any NATO member nation that are developing dual-use solutions to critical defence and security challenges, through competitive annual and dynamic challenge calls.
BraveTech EU
🇪🇺AID · France
Supports defense technology initiatives that translate operational experience into practical European innovation projects.