NATO and Ukraine launch $300,000 competition to find the best
'Spiderweb-type' tools to destroy billions of dollars of Russian planes and aerial assets

Date:
Wed, 24 Jun 2026 06:05:00 +0000

Description:
NATO and Ukraine launched a 250,000 competition seeking technologies capable of disabling enemy airfields, aircraft, and supporting infrastructure.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter NATO seeks technologies capable of shutting down enemy airfields longer Competition focuses on aircraft, runways, fuel depots and infrastructure Proposed systems must survive electronic warfare and navigation disruptions NATO and Ukraine have launched
a 250,000 (~$287,000) competition seeking technologies capable of denying adversaries the use of airfields for extended periods.

The initiative, known as Persistent Airfield Denial, focuses on disrupting aviation infrastructure used to support military operations against Ukraine. Organizers are looking for practical solutions that can damage aircraft, runways, fuel facilities, ammunition storage sites, and supporting ground infrastructure. Latest Videos From Watch full video here: Search for technologies capable of long-term airfield disruption The competition is
being organized by NATO Allied Command Transformation together with the NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training and Education Centre, commonly known as JATEC.

According to Ukraines Ministry of Defense, the effort stems from the importance of airfields in supporting Russian aerial operations against Ukrainian territory. You may like One year ago, Ukraine launched Operation Spiderweb to destroy billions of dollars worth of Russian combat planes It 'served as a warning to the United States' Ukraine open-sources Russian military hardware secrets to 'protect the entire civilized world' Ukraine wants to be the biggest drone and robot producer worldwide

The ministry stated that Every Russian aviation sortie to strike Ukraine begins at an airfield, explaining why the search concentrates on restricting access to aviation infrastructure.

Officials are seeking concepts capable of sustaining operational pressure against enemy airfields rather than conducting only short duration strikes. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Proposed systems may rely on drones , loitering munitions, swarm
technologies, or alternative methods for delivering destructive payloads across significant distances.

The competition rules allow virtually any technological architecture provided the proposed solution can achieve the required operational outcomes.

Entrants must also demonstrate effectiveness in electronic warfare environments where communications may be degraded or entirely unavailable during missions. What to read next Ukraine becomes the first country to scale long-distance remote-controlled interceptor drones Ex-Google CEO is key to Ukraine's most formidable drone weapon to date - $5000 Hornet can carry 5Kg
of explosives on a 200Km, one-way trip Ukrainian UAV expert warns US off-the-shelf drones will fail to survive EW, and 'every unit should have their own drone laboratory'

Solutions are expected to continue functioning without direct operator
control or access to satellite navigation services under challenging battlefield conditions.

Organizers additionally require systems capable of operating throughout the year and in varying weather conditions without significant performance degradation.

The initiative follows previous NATO-backed innovation challenges that sought responses to guided bomb threats and fiber-optic drones increasingly used in combat. Prototype requirements and emphasis on rapid deployment The
organizers require technologies that can move quickly from development into operational deployment after testing has been completed successfully.

The desired Technology Readiness Level falls between 5 and 7, indicating prototype stage capabilities rather than purely theoretical concepts.

Participants are expected to provide an initial minimally functional version within six weeks, demonstrating practical progress toward deployment objectives.

The proposal submission window remains open until July 20, 2026, while selected finalists will be announced on August 11.

Ukrainian miltech companies, startups, engineering teams, and defense developers are being encouraged to submit candidate technologies for evaluation.

Many of the concepts likely to emerge could involve autonomous systems designed to function independently when communications become unavailable.

Developers may also employ AI tools to improve navigation, coordination, and decision-making during contested operations.

Last year, Ukraine's Security Service carried out Operation Spiderweb , a coordinated drone attack against five Russian airfields.

Kyiv claimed the operation destroyed or damaged 41 aircraft and caused
roughly $7 billion in damages, though Russia says it lost 11 planes and about $26 million.

Though Ukraine already operates cheap drones such as the Hornet and other modified AI-assisted UAVs capable of reaching targets hundreds of kilometers away, it is now seeking 'Spiderweb-type' technologies capable of delivering similar or greater effects.

Via Defense Express Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



======================================================================
Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/nato-and-ukraine-launch-usd300-000-competition-t o-find-the-best-spiderweb-type-tools-to-destroy-billions-of-dollars-of-russian -planes-and-aerial-assets


--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 (Linux/64)
* Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100)