The fruits of Lithuanian scientists’ work on a new generation European fighter jet.

The CROWN international project also includes a team of Lithuanian scientists from the Baltic Institute of Advanced Technologies, which is involved in more than the first European defense innovation project.

Director of the Baltic Institute of Advanced Technologies dr. According to Tomas Žalandauskas, Lithuania has made significant progress in strengthening defense capabilities and developing military cooperation, but harnessing the potential of Lithuanian scientists and engineers to strengthen Europe’s technological independence in defense and creating a defense industry. Allied defense is also an important component of security policy.

CROWN is just one of the Preparatory Action Projects in Defense Research (PADR) with a budget of up to € 10 million. euros Interestingly, “European technological independence” is one of the main reasons for the CROWN project to reduce dependency and restrictions on suppliers from “third countries”.

One of those third countries is openly named in the United States, whose latest F-35 fighters use modern, integrated electronic combat equipment, advanced radars, and other equipment. These fighters are already used by the United States, Israel and various countries of the European Union: the Netherlands, Italy. Last year, however, France and Germany agreed to develop a sixth-generation European fighter, which and its technological solutions would become a counterweight to American products.

T. Žalandauskas pointed out that one of the most important directions of the European military strategy in recent years is electronic defense, as some countries are increasingly trying to control the radio electronic space, therefore, compact, efficient components and multifunctional, to combat the advantage of European and related aircraft. Improving the capabilities of European military aircraft is a clear priority.

According to the head of the Defense Program of the Baltic Institute for Advanced Technologies, dr. Gediminas Molio, so far no country has been able to effectively integrate AESA radar, electronic combat and communications equipment into a single element, allowing aircraft radar to intelligently select the least congested spectrum and adapt to environmental conditions, even when an opponent attempts to disrupt radar operations.

Multifunction devices not previously used in combat aircraft will allow radar, electronic combat and communication equipment to be integrated into aircraft in a compact and lightweight element. In addition, the new facilities will have lower energy consumption and higher power solutions, which will give them an advantage.

Harmonization of radar, spectrum monitoring, and interference systems is expected to significantly improve the performance of these overall aircraft defense systems and systems in detecting, targeting, and targeting the enemy, and exchanging data with others. land, sea or air platforms.

The CROWN international project will develop innovation for European technological independence in the field of defense through the Preparatory Action on Defense Research (PADR), funded by the European Defense Agency (EDA).

The project leader is the Spanish company Indra, whose project consortium is made up of organizations such as Thales, SAAB, Leonardo, Hensoldt, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and others. Later, the innovations developed during the CROWN project will be applicable to land systems, to all types of land vehicles and ships.