NCIA has selected ERIS by ERA as one of the qualifiers of 2020 Defence Innovation Challenge

The NATO Communications and Information Agency has recently announced the top eight qualifiers of the 2020 Defence Innovation Challenge. ERIS, the ATC system for regional airports, as one of them.

The evaluation panel selected eight proposals for the next phase of the Innovation Challenge. The challenge aims to accelerate transformational, state-of-the-art ideas, technologies and solutions from start-ups, small businesses and academia in support of NATO. This year, it focuses on improving distributed radar data processing so that NATO's air operations can tap into the latest technologies available in the defence sector and beyond. The submissions were assessed against criteria including innovation, implementation feasibility and cost-effectiveness. The challenge is in its fifth year.

The other top qualifiers with innovative proposals are Aselsan Elektronik Sanayi A.S. and Aselsan SST, both Turkey, Canadian Uavs, CS Canada Inc., Reticle Ventures Canada Inc., RS Technologies SP. Z O.O., Poland, Swarm-Engineer.me, Germany

They are invited to a virtual innovation pitch session on 4-5 November 2020 as part of NITEC Connect, a virtual two-day event leading up to the next NITEC, NATO's flagship industry conference. "We were impressed by the calibre of this year's submissions. We look forward to learning more about the proposals at NITEC Connect this year and to discover the best qualified companies," said Peter Lenk, Chief of Service Strategy and Innovation at the NCIA.

The Innovation Challenge jury is composed of subject matter experts from NATO and AFWERX, a United States Air Force organization focused on innovation. They will evaluate the live pitches and announce the top finishers, who may subsequently be invited to bid for a contract in this area.