ContentsWhat is the Innovation Challenge.Who won the Innovation Challenge.When will Ukraine be able to shoot down UAVs with new NATO equipment.What are guided bombs and how big a threat do they pose.What is the Innovation ChallengeInnovation Challenge is a hackathon and innovation contest launched by NATO’s Joint Transformation Command and alliance member states. This year, its goal is to develop solutions against Russian KABs, whereas in 2024, for example, the contest focused on automated minefield clearance and increasing UAV resilience against electronic warfare.“During the contest, it was immediately emphasized that the solution should be simple and straightforward, requiring minimal training and integration. It was also clarified that the solution could be at the 'advanced concept' stage or an adaptation of existing, available technologies. Importantly, the solution must be low-cost in terms of resources and easily scalable,” explained Defense Express.The competition proposal had to present a solution addressing at least one of the following tasks: detection; suppression using electronic warfare (including countering satellite navigation); destruction of the bomb itself; neutralizing the delivery platform to prevent it from reaching launch conditions; or protection of potential target sites.For the first time, NATO allowed Ukrainian developers and scientists to participate in the hackathon, which was aimed at addressing threats common to both Ukraine and alliance members.“Russian guided bombs are one of the biggest threats to Ukrainian forces on the front line and to Ukrainian cities. It is important that this topic is the focus of NATO’s latest hackathon. This shows that we share the same security context with the alliance,” said Deputy Defense Minister Valeriy Churkin.The Ukrainian defense ministry reported that, for the first time, Ukrainian representatives were allowed to participate in the Innovation Challenge, whereas previously only NATO member states took part in the hackathon.Submissions were accepted in February–March and evaluated according to a dozen judging criteria, including relevance, innovation, ease of use, integration and compatibility, portability, scalability, and more. In total, the hackathon received proposals from 40 teams, with 13 advancing to the final after the selection process.Who won the Innovation ChallengeThe Ukrainian team received a special prize at the hackathon for electronic warfare countermeasures.The winner of the Innovation Challenge was the French company Alta Ares. The judges rated its solution highest for using artificial intelligence to detect, identify, and predict the flight paths of glide bombs. Alta Ares adapted an existing system, originally developed for reconnaissance missions in Ukraine, to the new task.“The system uses artificial intelligence algorithms to process video and acoustic data. It provides two key functions — alerting forces in the predicted impact zone so they can activate EW systems and take cover, which should protect them from a bomb that can no longer guarantee the necessary strike accuracy. In addition, the system enables predicting possible directions of a Russian attack for preventive actions,” Defense Express explained.Second place went to Tytan Technology. The German startup proposed its anti-aircraft drone to intercept KABs. Its trials began in Ukraine in 2024 and it was adapted for shooting down UAVs. The Tytan drone, dubbed a Shahed interceptor, uses a gaming console, and its low cost is driven by extensive use of 3D printing. Tytan has a 20 km range and can reach 300 km/h. The drone uses "machine vision" and has a takeoff weight of 5 kg, including a 1 kg warhead. The Germans adapted Tytan to counter guided bombs.Also among the top three was another French entrant — Atreyd. The startup’s idea is to counter guided bombss with an autonomous swarm of kamikaze drones: forming a wall of drones to intercept guided aerial bombs in flight using an ultrasonic detection and guidance system.Neutralizing Glide Bombs: An Innovation Challenge to support UkraineOn March 27, 2025, at @NATO_JFTC (Bydgoszcz, Poland), #NATO gathered military experts, innovators, and Ukrainian reps to tackle a major threat: glide bombs, a scourge on Ukraine’s frontlines.Led by @NATO_ACT,… pic.twitter.com/M1X7esNELJ— NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation SACT (@NATO_SACT) March 31, 2025 When will Ukraine be able to shoot down UAVs with new NATO equipmentIn the summer, specialist outlets reported tests of new countermeasures against guided aerial bombs. The final solution was developed with the participation of the three hackathon winners — Alta Ares, Atreyd, and Tytan. Each of these startups contributed components to the final multilayer air‑defense system, which will help counter not only guided bombs but, for example, Shahed‑type drones as well.Several solutions have already been implemented, while work is underway to improve other interception systems. NATO’s press service noted that the trials demonstrated the usefulness of a multilayered approach to protection. Areas for improvement were identified, and the participating companies pledged to upgrade their systems within a short timeframe.The systems that will allow interception and destruction of Russian guided glide bombs are planned to be fully deployed by the end of 2025.“The ability to counter KABs will save more Ukrainian military lives and also increase the effectiveness of defensive fortifications. Accordingly, solutions to this problem are needed already ‘yesterday,’” wrote Defense Express.What are guided bombs and how big a threat do they poseA guided aerial bomb (KAB) is a type of aircraft munition. It is fitted with aerodynamic surfaces and a guidance system to improve accuracy. After KABs were developed, older aerial bombs began to be called unguided or "dumb" bombs. Guided aerial bombs are classified as precision weapons.Aircraft drop bombs from the plane; they separate from their mounts either by a small ejection force or under gravity. The higher and faster the aircraft releases a KAB, the farther the bomb will travel.An important point — Russian aircraft do not have to enter the engagement zone of Ukrainian air defenses to drop guided aerial bombs. They fly up to the line of contact and release the bombs from 40–50 km away. Because the bomb carrier does not enter the engagement envelope of some air‑defense systems, it is considered a difficult target.“Countering enemy aviation assets remains one of the main tasks. The ideas proposed by the teams hold promise for solving this problem. We will cooperate, test, and trial the selected technologies,” the Defense Ministry website quoted Valeriy Churkin as saying.