Onwards and upwards: new projects to invest EUR 350 million in Digital European Sky

The SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking has selected 48 research projects within the framework of its ambitious Digital European Sky research and innovation programme. The projects address exploratory research, industrial research, and activities to fast-track innovative solutions, all with a view to making air traffic management in Europe smarter and more sustainable. The projects represent a total investment of EUR 350 million by the aviation industry and the European Union through Horizon Europe.

The scope of the selected projects reflects the research and innovation flagship priorities outlined in the SESAR 3 JU’s multi-annual work programme and in the more recently published bi-annual work programme. They cover a wide range of technologies that are needed in order to deliver the Digital European Sky by 2040, matching the ambitions of the ‘European Green Deal’ and the ‘Europe fit for the digital age’ initiatives. 

The 18 selected exploratory research projects aim to foster new and innovative ideas to transform air traffic management in Europe, as well as to encourage coordinated exchange of knowledge and stimulate the future ATM skilled workforce.

The 30 industrial research and fast-track projects address critical areas for change, including emissions reduction, automation enabled by artificial intelligence, resilient ATM service provision, as well as the swift uptake of solutions for the integration of drones (U-space), urban air mobility, multimodality and climate-neutral operations.

The projects were selected as a result of a call for proposals in 2022 followed by a rigorous evaluation of the submitted proposals by independent experts. The official launch of the projects is subject to the completion of grant preparation in the coming weeks.