Indra has taken a new step to strengthen its position as a benchmark in multifunction radio frequency systems for defense by taking over the direction of the European Scepter project, as the company itself communicated this Monday.
The Spanish technology and defense company drives, from its innovation center in next-generation sensors, the evolution of European multi-function radio frequency (RF) systems. This technology makes it possible to integrate radar, electronic warfare, and communications functions into a single intelligent architecture, valid for aerial, naval, and land platforms.
Among other initiatives, the firm heads the European research, development, and innovation (R&D&i) project Scepter (European Multifunction System Concept applied to Communications, Electronic Warfare and Radar), backed by the European Defence Fund (EDF). The program aims to accelerate the development of next-generation systems based on AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) technology, which replaces conventional architectures supported by several sensors specifically dedicated to each mission.
European funding and technological bases of multifunction systems
In Scepter, as already happened with the Crown project, both financed by the European Commission and under the leadership of Indra, the technological pillars of Multifunction Radio Frequency Systems (MFRFS) are being defined. The work focuses on areas such as broadband AESA antennas, direct signal digitization, and advanced resource management.
"The objective is to respond to the growing complexity and saturation of the electromagnetic environment, multidomain scenarios, and the need to reduce the size, weight, and power (SWaP) of defense platforms, especially critical in aircraft, to offer an operational advantage over the enemy," the firm explained.
In this regard, Indra has specified that Scepter represents a "decisive" advance towards more compact, efficient, adaptable, and sovereign solutions, which reinforce European technological autonomy in critical defense capabilities and place Europe, and Spain, "among the few global players with the capacity to design, manufacture, and integrate advanced next-generation radio frequency technologies".
European consortium of nine countries and technological demonstrator
The new program pursues the development of a "truly multi-function European system capable of simultaneously and coordinatedly executing detection, electronic protection, and communications missions, significantly improving the situational awareness, resilience, and operational effectiveness of the European armed forces".
Under the coordination of Indra, the project brings together a consortium of 14 entities from nine European countries, including major defense companies, technology centers, universities, and specialized SMEs. All of them contribute expertise in multifunction radar, radio frequency component design, and electronic warfare systems: BPTI (Lithuania), CAFA Tech (Estonia), CNIT, Elettronica, and Leonardo (Italy), Fraunhofer and Hensoldt (Germany), TNO (Netherlands), ONERA and Thales (France), SAAB and FOI (Sweden), and XY Sensing (Poland).
Furthermore, Indra assumes leadership in the design and validation of a technological demonstrator based on AESA technology and COTS components, that is, commercial 'hardware' already available on the market, which contributes to reducing costs and shortening development times.
"Scepter is a key project for the future of European defense systems, as it allows for a technological leap in the integration of radar, electronic warfare, and communications into a single multifunction solution, more efficient and prepared for the most demanding operational scenarios," said the Head of R&D Programs within Indra's innovation directorate, Daniel González.
Along these same lines, the executive has remarked that the company is promoting this initiative with the purpose "of reinforcing European technological sovereignty and consolidating our own strategic capabilities in advanced radio frequency".
Lastly, the company has highlighted that the incorporation of artificial intelligence and cognitive architectures for the management of the electromagnetic spectrum constitutes one of the "great differentiating elements" of Scepter, which will facilitate future platforms operating with greater efficiency, resilience, and adaptability.