European Commission logo
European Commission

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.

ClosedEuropean CommissionEU

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.

CycleiHow often this grant runs - e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.No fixed schedule
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.-
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.-
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.-
Award typeiThe form of funding - grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Grant
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.-
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.€20M

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 →

More from European Commission

All grants from this funder →
European Commission logo
Open

Co-funded European Partnership for Social Transformations and Resilience

🇪🇺European Commission · European Union

Funds a consortium of national research agencies to run a 7-year, EU-wide grant programme on social transformations and resilience.

€60MOct'26
European Commission logo
Open

Missiles, ammunition and bombs

🇺🇦European Commission · European Union

Pays joint EU-Ukraine defence-industry consortiums up to €30 million per project to scale up production of missiles, ammunition and bombs for Ukraine.

DefenseAdvanced Manufacturing
€30MOct'26
European Commission logo
Open

ERC Starting Grant

🇪🇺European Commission · European Union

Funds early-career researchers building an independent research team and pursuing frontier research through an ERC Starting Grant hosted at a public or private research organisation.

BiotechAI+5
€1.5MOct'26
European Commission logo
Open

E-Justice priority — transnational projects in e-Justice, victims' rights and procedural rights

European Commission · European Union

Funds transnational projects that make justice easier to access by electronic means across EU countries.

Oct'26
European Commission logo
Open

Victims' rights and procedural rights priority — transnational projects in e-Justice, victims' rights and procedural rights

European Commission · European Union

Funds transnational projects that strengthen the rights of crime victims and the procedural rights of suspects and defendants across EU countries.

Oct'26
European Commission logo
Open

Digital Europe Programme

🇪🇺European Commission · European Union

Funds Europe-wide digital capability development in AI, cybersecurity, semiconductors, hardware, and IoT.

AICybersecurity+3
Oct'26