RESPONSIVE ELECTRONIC ATTACK FOR COOPERATIVE TASKS (REACT)

The battle in the electromagnetic and cybernetic spectrum has become crucial. The REACT Programme emerged in order to provide an appropriate answer, through electronic attack means, against the increasingly capable air defence systems that are proliferating around the world.

The starting point to close the European gap in electronic attack capabilities is the European Defence Industrial Development Programme “EDIDP-ACC-AEAC-2019”. The project, with the support of the European Commission (EC) and the involved nations Spain (leading), Italy, Germany and Sweden, will address the concept definition, specification and design of an Airborne Electronic Attack Capability (AEAC).

The European defence companies Indra, Elettronica, Hensoldt and SAAB have agreed to work closely together in a strong collaborative model, to create the most sophisticated system of systems in electronic attack, using cutting-edge technology, and setting the basis for boosting European Union defence capabilities. The goal is to successfully pass the Critical Design Review, and establish a design baseline to generate a detailed development roadmap for the European Defence Fund (EDF) and a European Union (EU) supply chain assessment.

In 2021, the Board of Supervisors (BoS) accepted to integrate the REACT Programme into OCCAR. The Programme Decision (ProgD) signed by Spain, Italy and Germany entered into force on 13 March 2023. In order to ensure effective programme and contract management, the ProgD gives the mandate to the REACT Programme to engage with the four involved industries, as foreseen in the Memoradum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Spain, Italy, Germany and Sweden, which entered into force on 22 December 2022. OCCAR foresees a follow-up contract (amendment) to include SAAB in close coordination and agreement with Sweden.

On 24 March 2023, the OCCAR-EA Director, Mr Joachim Sucker,signed an initial contract with the consortium of Indra, Elettronica and Hensoldt, assuring the national funding of the project for the signatories of the ProgD, which also benefits from a Grant Agreement directly managed by the EC.

The REACT Programme was integrated into the Small Programmes Programme Division (SP PD) on 01 April 2023.

REACT Participating States

Potential Future Participating State

RESPONSIVE ELECTRONIC ATTACK FOR COOPERATIVE TASKS (REACT)

The project covers the design, development and testing of a multi jamming capability (including Stand-Off, Stand-In and Escort jamming), that will be based on state-of-the-art existing technological cores at European industries level, including the future capability to work in communication band.

• Modular development approach, able to be integrated inside the aircraft or in a pod configuration
• Compatible with different aircrafts, manned and unmanned
• Suppression of enemy air defences, escort role, non-traditional electronic attack and continuous capability enhancement.
• Interoperable with the existing and planned EU Member States assets and in cross-domain operations