The agreement is linked to the Finnish F-35 programme
A research consortium led by Finnish state-owned VTT Technical Research Centre and Lockheed Martin has launched a three-year project to develop signals intelligence technologies on 21 November to create capabilities, opportunities and knowledge also aimed at implementing the Finnish F-35 fighter program.
Along with the two project leaders, other members of the consortium are Patria, the Finnish SME Harp Technologies, and two Finnish universities, Aalto University and the University of Tampere.
The project aims to enhance methods and technologies for detecting and classifying radar and communication signals typical of modern battlefields, which have a low probability of interception and detection. This is also a step within the Finnish F-35 programme, agreed on in 2021, for the delivery of 64 aircraft and their maintenance throughout their life cycle.
“The purpose of the project is to combine the expertise and technological strengths of different parties, creating highly developed solutions and advanced new expertise that can be applied to the needs of the international defence industry, and to the products of next-generation electronic reconnaissance,” said Sauli Eloranta, Director of Safe and Connected Society Research Area at VTT.
For Finland, the programme will also help strengthen the security of supply concerning the country’s own technological expertise and talent. For instance, it will help draw new students to study and work with digital defence technologies, creating a pathway for new professionals to join national and international defence industry companies over time.
On the other hand, through indirect industrial cooperation initiatives, Lockheed Martin aims to build and benefit from industry partnerships with Finnish companies, universities and colleges, offering opportunities and new avenues to develop and strengthen the cooperation far into the future.
“The cooperation is a significant step for VTT and Finland at large. We are very keen on assessing additional future cooperation opportunities with Lockheed Martin. The technology cooperation offers us an opportunity to continue to develop our strong expertise in defence technologies and to increase cooperation with other defence industry actors,” concluded Eloranta.
Lockheed Martin and VTT are also looking to sign another framework agreement for a second project focusing on millimeter-wave passive imaging radiometer development during 2023, aiming to start in 2024.
