NATO launches competition to find solutions to counter Russian aerial bombs

The North Atlantic Alliance has announced the launch of the Counter Glide Bombs competition to develop technologies to detect, intercept and neutralise Russian corrected aerial bombs (CABs).

Here's What We Know

The competition is part of the 15th stage of the Innovation Challenges technology platform, which aims to find innovative solutions for the defence sector. Applications will be accepted until 13 March 2025.

According to NATO's Transformation Directorate, the main goal of the initiative is to develop means to combat Russian aerial munitions, in particular bombs equipped with UMPK and D-30 UMPB modules, which are actively used against Ukraine.

The organisers are considering projects at various stages of readiness, from concepts to finished products. The proposed technologies must integrate into NATO information systems, meet Alliance standards, and be easy to use without the need for lengthy operator training.

The competition focuses on three areas: threat detection; interception and physical destruction of munitions; and electronic suppression and neutralisation of bombs. Solutions that will help in such areas as preventing aircraft from reaching the launch line, protecting critical infrastructure (including in the cyber domain), and ensuring cost-effective countermeasures against these threats are also welcome.

The organisers of the competition pay special attention to the use of the latest technologies, such as artificial intelligence, machine vision and other innovative methods that provide high performance and flexibility in use.

It is worth noting that the competition's information materials contain outdated characteristics of Russian UMPK modules for 500kg bombs, while in fact Russia is already using modified versions of them.

Source: Innovation Hub