February 8, 2025
The aim of the competition under the auspices of the Alliance is to create a cost-effective solution to counter the cheap bombs equipped with UMPK kits used by the russian federation.
NATO’s Transformation Command has launched an Innovation Challenge competition to develop solutions against the so-called russian KABs, which are guided bombs equipped with a unified gliding and correction module (UMPK). The competition’s terms stipulate that the solution should be simple and straightforward, requiring no lengthy training or integration.
It is noted that the solution may be at the stage of an “advanced concept” or an adaptation of existing, available solutions. The proposal must achieve at least one of the following: detect, suppress using electronic warfare, including countering satellite navigation, destroy the bomb itself, counter the carrier to prevent launch conditions, or protect potential target objects. It is important that the solution should be low-cost in terms of resources and easy to scale.
It should be noted that only teams from NATO member states can participate in the competition. At the same time, Ukraine apparently already has a solution to counter russian KABs, which is proving its effectiveness on the battlefield.
Proposals for the competition will be accepted until March 13, and the result will be announced on March 27-28. That is, we are talking about a fairly short time frame. It is worth recalling that last year, the same organization held a competition to develop automated minefield clearance methods and enhance UAV resistance to electronic warfare.
It is difficult to predict what will be offered and how the competition will end. However, the very fact that it was held can also be seen as evidence that NATO views the threat posed by russian KABs not only to Ukraine but also to itself. In the end, the whole concept of the Alliance’s warfare in terms of complete air dominance is certainly great, but it depends primarily on the United States. Additionally, it is important to anticipate what actions to take if something goes wrong.
The development of such guided munitions suggests that their range of use will expand. American projects provide a good example: the Powered JDAM, which adds a miniature jet engine to the JDAM-ER, and the secret ERAM bomb, with a range of 463 km. It is quite obvious that russia will follow a similar path.
Earlier Defense Express reported that KNDS would buy a legendary railcar plant to produce parts for RCH 155 and Leopard 2.
Admittedly, the required criteria are not easy to achieve, but with the combined minds of NATO, surely, a viable system can be created. Ukraine already has made large strides in this regard.
Fuck sake, its not that difficult.
Cruise missile the Factories making them and the Aircraft launching them.
Its only Rocket Science.
We are talking about NATO. They are not so brave to attack mafia land.
You don’t destroy the bombs, you destroy the thing that launches them. Obviously that takes more spine than hoping you can destroy the bombs themselves.
It’s always better to kill the archer instead of the arrow, but we’re talking about NATO.
These bombs have been in use for 18 months, and NATO have just realised they are a problem.
They are not the sharpest or quickest. They are also not the bravest.