PALU SRL

Their core work

PALU SRL is an Italian technology SME based in Gallarate, in the Varese province — a region historically dense with aerospace manufacturing suppliers. The company developed a proprietary aircraft landing system technology, which it brought from feasibility concept to funded prototype under the ANGELS (Advanced Next Generation Landing System) project. They operated as the lead and likely sole innovator on this development, using the EU SME Instrument's two-phase structure to validate and then scale their technology. Their real-world value is as a deep-specialist engineering firm focused on a single, high-stakes aviation subsystem.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

PALU's entire H2020 history spans a single year (2015) and a single topic: aircraft landing systems. There is no observable shift in focus — both projects are phases of the same innovation trajectory. This means their expertise is concentrated and stable rather than evolving, which is typical of deep-specialist SMEs pursuing one product to market. There is no data to assess any post-2017 direction, as no further H2020 activity is recorded.

With no H2020 activity beyond their 2015-2017 ANGELS trajectory, it is unclear whether PALU continued developing their landing system independently, exited the market, or pivoted — any future collaboration would require direct verification of their current technical status.

How they like to work

PALU led both of their H2020 projects as coordinator, which is standard practice under the SME Instrument — a scheme designed for single companies, not large consortia. With only one recorded consortium partner across two projects, they show no history of broad multi-partner collaboration. Working with PALU likely means engaging them as a focused technology provider on a specific deliverable, not as a network hub.

PALU has collaborated with just one unique partner in one country across their entire H2020 portfolio. Their network is essentially non-existent in EU research terms — they operated as a standalone innovator using EU funding to develop a proprietary product.

What sets them apart

PALU's distinction is extreme specialisation: they built and funded a multi-year R&D programme around a single aviation subsystem — landing systems — rather than diversifying. For a consortium looking for a focused technical partner in aircraft ground-contact systems, they represent a rare SME with EU-validated credibility in that niche. However, the absence of a website and no post-2017 project activity means due diligence on their current operational status is essential before engaging.

Highlights from their portfolio

• ANGELS
  This Phase 2 SME Instrument project (€912,215) represents a full development grant for a proprietary aircraft landing system, confirming that PALU's concept passed independent EU evaluation and was deemed commercially viable.
• ANGELS
  The Phase 1 feasibility award (€50,000) that preceded the larger grant shows PALU successfully converted an early-stage concept into a funded development programme within a single year.