SUMMARY
The Capability Technology group CapTech Technologies for Components and Modules (TCM) promotes and supports collaborative projects and activities in components and modules technologies, which constitute essential building blocks for many defence applications and so contribute to the strategic autonomy of Europe.
Since its early years, CapTech TCM has focused its activity on technologies for defence needs, developing extensive knowledge of the European electronics value chain. Being at once high-technology products in a very specialised ecosystem, and involved in a wide range of downstream applications, electronics components are often associated to potential critical dependencies.
Constant attention to strategic dependencies stemming from components technologies
Over past decades, the electronics − and especially the semiconductor − industry has experienced both a geographical concentration and a strong fragmentation of the supply chain involving very specialised suppliers. At the same time, steered by competition on the worldwide market, significant technological improvements occurred, generally driven by intense research and development (R&D) investments.
Recent exposures to components shortages have highlighted the global dependency in the field. Being present in many devices, such as mobile phones and cars, components technologies have gained a certain recognition. Defence capabilities rely on components and related technologies for embedded electronics. In this context, ensuring technology availability, access and continued development is increasingly recognised by the European defence community. The development of core technologies, relying on an electronics supply chain used by other compatible industries, can bring additional benefits to the defence industry, for instance in terms of competitiveness. This demands reinforced collaboration with all interested parties.
While European Union has adopted the European Chips Act European Chips Act - European Commission (europa.eu) that entered into force on 21 September 2023 to bolster Europe’s competitiveness and resilience, recognising the need for a wide political action, the European Defence Agency (EDA), thanks to its CapTech expertise, works with other institutions. For instance, through its implication in the Joint Task Force Joint Task Force – JTF Evolution: powering strategic autonomy in space - European Commission (europa.eu) with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Commission (DG DEFIS) or thanks to connexions with Chips JU Chips JU · Starter Portal (europa.eu) and industry associations.
A strong expertise in the technologies needed for defence applications
CapTech TCM does not only focus its work on the technologies necessary to achieve strategic non-dependence. In accordance with the priorities defined by the Capability Development Plan Priority setting (europa.eu), the CapTech TCM has defined six key technological domains which constitute essential development areas for defence applications.
They are:
- Optoelectronics
- Radio frequency and microwave
- Digital processing
- Mixed-signal electronics
- Power supply electronics
- Transversal technologies that can be used in one of the domains listed above (Packaging, Thermal management technologies, Printed circuit boards and Interconnexions).
The actions needed to reach the identified applications can focus on improving performance, miniaturization, competitiveness, reliability and robustness improvement, or integrating new functionalities.
The consistency between priorities defined in the Capability Development Plan and the development activities is ensured by the Strategic Research Agenda (SRA). Thanks to the work of governmental and non-governmental experts involved in the CapTech, technological gaps, supply-chain gaps, dependency risks and opportunities are identified for each domain. The appropriate measures are identified and combined to build a coherent roadmap (the SRA). Such measures are, for instance: the need for collaborative research and technology (R&T) projects − supported by European Defence Fund (EDF) or ad-hoc projects between interested Member States; possible synergies with initiatives on relevant civilian dual-use technologies. The resulting agenda is shared with Member States and relevant stakeholders.
The steps that serve operational needs of forces are identified as Technology Building Blocks (TBBs). For the CapTech TCM, twelve Technology Building Blocks are mapped with capability needs identified in the Capability Development Plan.
TBB01 - RF photonics
TBB02 - IR imaging Detector & Sources
TBB03 - Terahertz detectors & sources
TBB04 - Microwave Power
TBB05 - RF Transceiver modules
TBB06 - Enabling Components for Advanced Antennas
TBB07 - ADC and DAC
TBB08 - Signal Generation and Time Reference
TBB09 - System-On-Chip
TBB10 - High voltage SiC devices and related energy storage for pulsed power applications
TBB11 - Defence critical technologies supply chain
TBB12 - Advanced Packaging, PCB and Thermal Management Technologies
The European supply-chain of Radio Frequency (RF) components based on Gallium Nitride is an example of a successful and meaningful result of the coordinated effort undertaken over many years. Activity in this area is still on-going, enabling the improvement of system performance and reduction of potential dependencies.
Join the community !
CapTech TCM meetings take place three times per year: these regular rendezvous’ are essential events to coordinate activities between the members. Coordination and collaboration between members benefit from 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. The CapTech moderation activity is ensured by the EDA representative.
Each CapTech member can propose ideas for new activities such as projects, workshops and seminars at any meeting. The active involvement of non-governmental members in proposing solutions for governmental needs, with a consistent and systematic ground for dialogue, is an efficient way to foster cooperation.
Membership requests, once submitted, are shared with national authorities, which are the CapTech National Coordinator – CNC – in the Ministry in charge of Defence activities for approval. Becoming a governmental expert or non-governmental expert will enable you to join CapTech events. Please use the contact email on this webpage to reach the CapTech moderator who will guide you through the registration process.