Ukraine wants deadlier Spiderweb-style technologies as NATO competition seeks new ways to shut down airbases | Tech Radar
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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
Ukraine and NATO begin search for another Operation Spiderweb success
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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.
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 Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, the effort stems from the importance of airfields in supporting Russian aerial operations against Ukrainian territory.
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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.
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.
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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
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.
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Efosa has been writing about technology for over 7 years, initially driven by curiosity but now fueled by a strong passion for the field. He holds both a Master's and a Ph D in sciences, which provided him with a solid foundation in analytical thinking.
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