BLUF: The European Defense Fund (EDF) supports R&D; the EU Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS) mentors startups and provides seed funding; and the European Defence Industry Program (EDIP) finances scale-up and joint procurement. Next year’s AGILE will fund quick-turnaround development and commercialization projects.
While some startups report getting onto these schemes through serendipity, would-be participants generally need to research program details thoroughly.
Lithuanian space startup Astrolight is using short-wavelength infrared lasers for secure, high-bandwidth, radio-silent communications for warships. The company has tested drones as relays that extend the range. Its orbiting satellites may carry ship-to-ship optical comms even farther.
The British Royal Navy’s new DragonFire counter-drone laser weapon can target and destroy aerial threats within seconds, MBDA UK’s business development chief for directed energy weapons told The Arsenal.
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