European defence fund
Structuring and delivering collaborative European defence R&D programmes
The European Defence Fund plays a pivotal role in enabling collaborative R&D programmes that bring together industry, research organisations and defence stakeholders from different Member States. Success in these programmes requires a strong consortium and a compelling concept. But what determines whether these programmes deliver is also how consortia are aligned, how complexity is modelled and how results are turned into deployable capability. Mews Partners works alongside consortia through every phase, from proposal to exploitation, bringing programme management, systems engineering expertise and advanced modelling.
WHAT WE BRING TO EDF PROGRAMMES
01
Aligning your consortium to make decisions that stick
Aligning a consortium is rarely a technical problem. It comes down to getting every partner, industry, research organisations and end-users to converge on shared objectives and making sure those decisions hold once execution starts.
Operational needs elicitation
We structure stakeholders inputs early, using methods such as the Kano Model and value-driven dialogue, so requirements are grounded in real operational use.
Design trade-off management
We apply methodologies such as Set-Based Concurrent Engineering (SBCE) across the system breakdown structure to map trade-offs, define selection criteria, and drive progressive convergence toward well-founded design choices.
Systems engineering structuring
We deploy MBSE-based methodologies to clarify the fragmented defence problem space, from use-case definition through architecture alignment and the establishment of a single source of truth.
02
De-risking solutions by modelling complexity
Defence R&D tackles problems where off-the-shelf solutions do not exist. De-risking means modelling complexity before committing resources: simulation, data-driven analysis, and optimisation, used together to investigate the solution space and converge on sound technical choices. Mews Labs, our applied science hub, works directly within the programme to build the models and decision-support tools that make this possible.
Hybrid simulation and data-driven analysis
We combine physics-based simulation with statistical learning to analyse complex defence systems and the organisations that build them.
Optimisation under constraints
We model resources, dependencies and scenarios to support informed decision-making across multi-partner programme structures
Functional demonstrators
We build proof-of-concept tools using AI and simulation to validate feasibility, interoperability and user value before full-scale development.
03
Turning R&D results into implementable roadmaps
EDF programmes are judged on whether research becomes deployable capability. That transition requires structured planning from day one.
R&D-to-industrialisation transition
We plan end-to-end deployment, manage organisational change and support user uptake from concept through to operational adoption.
Dissemination, communication and exploitation
We initiate DCE activities at the proposal stage, building interfaces between knowledge management, key deliverables and overall programme activities. After project start, we structure exploitation activities at both consortium and individual partner level, connecting project results to relevant users, markets and follow-on opportunities.
Powered by Mews Labs
Mews Labs deploys modelling, simulation, and AI capabilities designed for European defence R&D.
Hybrid modelling of large-scale defence systems
Physics-based simulation combined with data-driven methods and statistical learning, used to predict system behaviour, support design trade-offs, and de-risk technical choices across multiple subsystems and operational environments.
Multi-factor optimisation
Resources, constraints, and scenarios modelled through agent-based models and multi-scale optimisation to support programme planning and investment decisions.
Structural modelling algorithms
Developing advanced algorithms for structural analysis, vulnerability assessment, and impact prediction, as deployed on the PRECISE programme.
GenAI demonstrators
Proof-of-concept AI companions and decision-support tools, built to validate technical feasibility and user adoption potential before full-scale deployment.
Selected EDF projects
RESILIENCE-D2025 | EDF, 2025–2028
Coordinating defence medical support and CBRN response across a multinational consortium requires a shared framework for capturing and reusing knowledge. RESILIENCE-D2025, a €10M EDF programme coordinated by CEA with 11 partners across 5 nationalities, is building that framework.
We design and operate the consortium's knowledge management system, with A3 Knowledge Management Briefs used as the standard capitalisation tool from kick-off.
PRECISE | EDF, 2025–2029
Predicting how physical effects behave across critical infrastructure and built-up areas requires structural models that don't yet exist at scale. PRECISE, a €14M EDF programme led by GMV with 9 partners across 5 nationalities, is building the AI and physics-based toolbox to close that gap.
We develop the structural modelling algorithms and lead dissemination and exploitation, with stakeholder engagement structured from kick-off.
Our clients
Meet our experts
Our EDF team combines deep defence industry expertise with hands-on experience in multi-stakeholder programme management and systems engineering.
Ready to structure your next EDF programme?
From consortium alignment to programme delivery, we bring the expertise that turns European defence R&D funding into deployed capability.
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