AIRBUS DS SLC

Their core work

AIRBUS DS SLC is a division of Airbus Defence and Space focused on secure communications and network infrastructure, particularly 5G and beyond-5G systems for mission-critical applications. They specialize in building and integrating advanced communication platforms for public protection, disaster relief (PPDR), and drone operations. Their work bridges telecom infrastructure with real-world security and emergency response needs — designing systems where network reliability is literally a matter of life and safety. As a large industrial company within the Airbus group, they bring significant systems integration capability to multi-partner R&D consortia.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their earlier H2020 projects (2018–2019), AIRBUS DS SLC focused on foundational 5G experimentation — end-to-end network integration, showcasing trials, and UAV/drone applications over 5G (5GENESIS, 5G!Drones). From 2020 onward, their work shifted decisively toward applying these 5G capabilities to security and emergency response contexts: first responder situational awareness (RESPOND-A), PPDR cloud-native platforms (5G-EPICENTRE), and forward-looking 6G with built-in security and privacy assurance (DEDICAT 6G). This evolution shows a company that moved from proving 5G technology works to deploying it where it matters most — in safety-critical, mission-critical environments.

They are moving toward becoming a European authority on secure, mission-critical communications for emergency services and public safety over next-generation networks.

How they like to work

AIRBUS DS SLC operates predominantly as a participant (4 of 5 projects) but took the coordinator role on 5G-EPICENTRE, their most strategically focused project on PPDR — suggesting they lead when the topic aligns tightly with their core mission. With 107 unique partners across 24 countries, they maintain a very broad network, consistent with large Airbus-led consortia. This is an organization comfortable operating in large, complex multi-partner projects and capable of stepping into leadership when the application domain warrants it.

Extensive European network spanning 107 unique consortium partners across 24 countries, reflecting participation in large-scale 5G infrastructure projects that require diverse telecom, technology, and end-user partners. Their reach covers most of the EU research landscape with no visible geographic concentration beyond their French base.

What sets them apart

What sets AIRBUS DS SLC apart is the intersection of defence-grade secure communications expertise with active involvement in civilian 5G/6G research. Few organizations can credibly bridge commercial telecom R&D and mission-critical PPDR requirements the way an Airbus defence division can. For consortium builders, they offer a rare combination: the systems integration muscle of a major aerospace group with hands-on experience in 5G experimentation, edge computing, and drone communications — all tested in security-sensitive contexts.

Highlights from their portfolio

• 5G-EPICENTRE
  Their only coordinator role, and their most strategic project — building a 5G experimentation platform specifically for public protection and disaster relief applications with cloud-native network functions.
• 5G!Drones
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 830,944), combining their UAV expertise with 5G network slicing for unmanned aerial system traffic management.
• DEDICAT 6G
  Their most forward-looking project, positioning them in the beyond-5G/6G space with focus on distributed intelligence and dynamic coverage — signaling their future research direction.