Introduction/Summary
The CapTech Technologies for Components and Modules (TCM) plays a key role in promoting and supporting collaborative projects focused on components and module technologies. These technologies are essential for a wide range of defence applications such as radar, infrared imaging, radio communications and contribute significantly to Europe's strategic autonomy. Electronic components are high-tech products within a highly specialised ecosystem. They are used in a wide array of downstream applications, are often linked to potential critical dependencies.
CapTech TCM addresses defence-related technological needs and builds deep expertise across the European electronics value chain. Its community brings together experts from industry, research organisations, academia and national representatives from Ministries of Defence.
Technology Building Blocks
Technology Building Blocks (TBBs) are the specific technological focus areas that guide the CapTech’s activities and research priorities. CapTech TCM focuses on following TBBs:
- Photonics for defence: advancing photonic technologies to enable breakthrough performance in classical and quantum systems for processing and sensing in defence applications.
- Infrared imaging detectors: developing IR detectors for day/night vision and surveillance, supporting applications from missile seekers to unmanned systems.
- Millimeter-wave and terahertz detectors and sources: providing sensing and imaging solutions for detecting concealed threats and enabling high-data-rate communications.
- Microwave power: delivering high-output, wide-bandwidth microwave power for radar, communications, and missile seeker systems.
- Radiofrequency transceiver modules: supporting phased-array systems and multi-band communications with high-performance RF transceivers.
- Enabling components for active antennas: improving antenna performance to optimize overall RF system capabilities.
- Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADC) and Digital-to-Analog Converters (DAC): providing ADC and DAC components for seamless integration into defence electronic systems.
- Signal generation, time reference, and motion sensing: supplying highly accurate signals for navigation, synchronization, and situational awareness across platforms.
- Advanced computing components: powering digital defence systems with System-on-Chips, FPGA-based platforms (Field Programmable Gate Array), and embedded computing solutions.
- High-voltage components for pulsed-power applications: enabling reliable operation of electric weapons and high-energy pulsed-power systems.
- Defence critical technology supply chains: ensuring secure and resilient access to key active and passive electronic components.
- Advanced packaging, Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs), and thermal management technologies: develop solution for integration and assembly of components in sub-systems, packaging of components, and thermal solutions for compact, high-performance electronic systems.
Link to EDA’s capability domains
Electronic components are essential to ensure interoperability, and resilience across all operational domains (Air, Land, Maritime, Space and Cyber). Technologies covered by the CapTech TCM contribute to the development of many defence systems and support a wide range of defence capability domains, such as Ground Combat Capabilities, Air Combat, Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD), Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO) dominance, and persistent and resilient C4ISTAR.
Join the CapTech
CapTech TCM meets three times per year. Coordination and collaboration between members is based on the EDA Collaboration Platform, enabling easy and regular exchange of information. Dedicated technical workshops or seminar can take place among members and involve relevant stakeholders.
Each CapTech member can propose ideas for new activities such as projects, workshops and seminars at any meeting.
You can submit a membership request to the CapTech moderator. The applications are shared for approval with national authorities, which are the CapTech National Coordinators(CNC) at the Ministries of defence. Becoming a governmental expert or non-governmental expert will enable you to join CapTech events.
To reach the CapTech moderator who will guide you through the registration process, contact:
[email protected]