A technology designed to keep hostile airfields offline impressed NATO judges, drawing on battlefield lessons and operating even when communications and GPS fail.
A Ukrainian artificial intelligence company took third place in NATO’s 19th innovation competition. Participants competed to develop the best technologies for the sustained disruption of enemy military airfields.
This is stated on the ACT website.
The winners were announced on September 3 in Warsaw. The event was organized by NATO Allied Command Transformation and the NATO–Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training and Education Centre.
Artificial intelligence for autonomous drone control
The competition was held as part of the “Persistent Disruption of Enemy Airfields” initiative. Participants were expected to develop solutions capable not only of damaging military infrastructure but also of significantly complicating its restoration. Another requirement was the ability to force the enemy to spend additional resources bringing the facilities back into operation.
The Ukrainian development that took third place uses artificial intelligence to control unmanned aerial vehicles autonomously. The system can operate without a constant connection to an operator, navigate independently, and identify targets.
Winners of the NATO competition
The results of the competition were announced by NATO Allied Command Transformation. First place went to the Czech company LPP Holding for its autonomous long-range unmanned system. The development is designed to operate in conditions of active electronic warfare and without access to GPS navigation.
Polish company Supercluster took second place with its StratoAim concept. It involves using high-altitude balloons to launch autonomous glider systems.
Third place went to the Ukrainian company, which presented an artificial intelligence-based technology for autonomous drone control.
Nine companies reached the competition’s final round. They presented autonomous unmanned systems, swarm-interaction technologies, alternative navigation solutions, and technologies designed to operate in conditions of active electronic warfare.
Ukraine’s combat experience was incorporated into the preparation of the competition. Ukrainian experts helped formulate the tasks, evaluate the technologies, and define requirements for their use on the modern battlefield.
The competition’s total prize pool amounted to up to €250,000. The Ukrainian company’s place among the winners demonstrated the demand for autonomous unmanned systems and artificial intelligence technologies in the defense sector.