Human-Centric Innovation in Defence Aviation: EPIIC Advances Into Final Year
Now entering its final year, the EPIIC project continues to deliver impactful research and tangible innovation in the field of next-generation fighter cockpits. Supported by the European Defence Fund, EPIIC brings together a multi-national consortium of defence and aerospace leaders working to shape adaptive, intuitive, and mission-ready human-machine interfaces (HMI) for future air combat systems.
From Concept to Demonstration: A Pan-European Effort
In May 2025, EPIIC was featured at DEFEA – Defence Exhibition Athens, one of Europe’s premier defence and security forums. At the European Defence Fund booth, the project showcased advanced cockpit interaction technologies, with Airbus Defence and Space (Spain) demonstrating gesture and eye-tracking solutions, and Thales, the project coordinator, supporting strategic discussions around human-machine teaming. Representing the EU, EPIIC Project Officer Mr. Konstantinos Grapsas engaged stakeholders on the role of EDF-funded projects in strengthening European defense capabilities.
Bridging Operational Experience and Emerging Technology
Throughout the past year, EPIIC has also launched its “Team Spotlight” series, highlighting the multidisciplinary expertise behind the project’s success. These profiles not only introduce key contributors but also reflect the breadth of innovation taking place within the consortium.
These spotlights illustrate the project’s unique blend of operational insight and technical excellence, as well as its emphasis on adaptive, human-centered design across all technological domains.
A Shared Vision: Reinventing Cockpit Interfaces
The vision behind EPIIC aligns closely with broader industry trends, including Airbus Defence and Space’s efforts to reimagine pilot-machine interaction using intelligent assistants and emerging input modalities like gaze, gestures, and biometrics. These efforts underscore a shared European ambition: building cockpit environments that anticipate the needs of tomorrow’s pilots while maximizing safety, performance, and situational awareness in high-demand settings.
Learn more about it here.
Engagement and Community Dialogue
To foster ongoing dialogue and community engagement, the EPIIC project remains active across platforms—most notably on its LinkedIn page, where it shares project milestones, Team Spotlights, poll insights, and technical updates. The project continues to seek input from the broader aerospace and defense communities, ensuring that EPIIC remains grounded in end-user needs and real-world relevance.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.