Specific programme of research and technological development in the field of industrial and materials technologies - Aeronautics research -, 1990-1994

Part of the third Framework programme for Community activities in the field of research and technological development (1990 to 1994) under subactivity I.2.: "Industrial and materials technologies", the programme forms part of the BRITE/EURAM II programme and is a follow-up to the preparatory work on aeronautics carried out within the BRITE/EURAM I (1989-1992).
To contribute to strengthening the technology base of the European aeronautical industry, to contribute to the knowledge base which supports actions to minimize environmental impact and enhance the safety and efficiency of aircraft operations, and to promote further cooperation between large high-technology companies and smaller companies, SMEs and research institutions/universities throughout the Community.
- Environment related technologies:
To provide new or improved tools and techniques for analysis, prediction and control of air vehicle exterior noise, interior noise and exhaust emissions;

- Technologies of aircraft operation:
To provide new improved tools and techniques for monitoring the health of aircraft systems, designing structures resistant to fatigue, crash and fire, and for integration of the air vehicle in future advanced ATC systems;

- Aerodynamics and aerothermodynamics:
To advance CFD techniques, laminar flow technology, tools for analysis of propulsion integration techniques for analysis of the aerothermodynamics of turbomachinery;

- Aeronautical structures and manufacturing technologies:
To advance techniques for realization of large pressurized composite fuselage structures;

- Avionics system technologies;
To provide new or improved techniques for design of modular, high integrity airborne information processing and sensing systems and for analysis and design of man-machine interaction on the flight deck;

- Mechanical, utility and actuation technologies:
To provide new or improved techniques for design of key equipment components of the air vehicle system.
The Commission is responsible for the implementation of the programme by means of collaborative research projects, concerted actions and specific training.

Collaborative research projects are of two types: Industrial Applied Research and Focused Fundamental Research.

Industrial Applied Research is implemented by shared-cost contracts, involving at least two industrial enterprises from different Member States and independent of each other. The participation of more than one aeronautical company as well as of universities or research establishments is considered to be an asset. Projects are, in general, of a substantial size, normally 3-5 million ECU. The coordinator in each project must be an industrial enterprise. Community financial participation will not normally exceed 50% of the costs. Universities and other research centres have the option of requesting, for each project, either 50% funding of total expenditure or 100% funding of the additional marginal costs. Contracts must as a general rule be concluded following a selection procedure based on calls for proposals published in the Official Journal of the European Communities.
Up to 10% of the programme budget can be allocated to shared-cost contracts for Focused Fundamental Research in areas where industrial progress is hindered by weakness in basic science. These projects, which need not be performed by industrial partners, must involve at least two partners established in different Member States. Their size is typically much less than Industrial Research Projects, but they must cover at least five man-years of activity.

Concerted actions consist of action by the Community to coordinate the individual research activities carried out in the Member States. They may benefit from funding of up to 100% of coordinating expenditure.

About 2% of the programme budget is reserved for Specific Training actions aimed at the training of researchers for European industry. These are intended to cover specialized, multidisciplinary training, including a training role within projects. Research fellowships are provided to enable researchers to gain practical experience of international collaborative research in the technical areas covered by chosen projects.

The Commission is authorized to negotiate, in accordance with Article 130n of the Treaty, international agreements with third countries which are members of COST, in particular the member countries of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and Central and Eastern European countries, with a view to associating them with the whole programme or a part of it. Where framework agreements for scientific and technical cooperation have been concluded between the Community and European non- Member States, bodies and enterprises established in those countries may, on the basis of the criterion of mutual benefit, be allowed to become partners in a project undertaken within the programme.

No contracting body based outside the Community and participating as a partner in a project undertaken within the programme may benefit from Community financing for this programme. Such bodies shall contribute to the general administrative costs.

The total Community funds estimated as necessary for the execution of the BRITE/EURAM II programme, including aeronautics research, amount to ECU 670 million, of which a sum of ECU 6.7 million (1%) is earmarked as the contribution from the programme to the centralized scheme for the dissemination and exploitation of results. The knowledge acquired in the course of the projects will be disseminated both within the programme and by means of the centralized scheme. Specific information on projects will be provided in close cooperation with CORDIS.

The Commission will review the programme during the second year and send a report to the European Parliament and the Council. At the end of the programme an evaluation of the results achieved will be conducted by a group of independent experts and submitted to these same bodies.