GSS EU Science Funding Gateway

The topic encompasses research activities on existing materials or new materials or concepts of protection taking into account the specificities listed in the following sections. All types of materials can be considered, for instance: ceramics, polymers, thermoplastics, metals, textiles, hybrid polymer composites, damping materials, nanoparticles and nanocomposites, metamaterials (where the properties of the armour will depend not only on the properties of the material, but also from its structure), etc. Considered technologies also include protective systems, non-destructive testing, design methods and tools, numerical modelling and characterization and testing methods.

The scope of the topic includes consideration of cost/performances and lifetime/recyclability compromises and the fact that materials and raw materials should as much as possible come from European sources to secure the European supply chain. The establishment of this European industry will require working in parallel on all materials manufacturing stages: raw materials (powder, UHTC, etc.), materials manufacturing processes, characterisation of the materials obtained, non-destructive control technology for advanced materials manufacturing. Proposals must also identify elements of a platform to test the outcome of current and future projects in terms of performance and functionality relevant to the activities performed during the project.

Targeted activities: 

• Activities under this topic, are aiming to create, underpin and improve knowledge, and studies, not excluding other activities eligible for research actions.
• Studies, such as feasibility studies to explore the feasibility of new or improved technologies, products, processes, services and solutions;
• Objective maintaining the ballistic performances when ageing naturally or artificially;
• Objective of protection against new threats that are not considered today for vehicles and dismounted soldiers;
• On the testing platform.