NATO Request for Innovative Participation: Persistent Airfield Denial
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
Headquarters Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (HQ SACT) has issued a Request for Innovative Participation (RFIP) for the NATO Innovation Challenge 2026-2 (iChall26-2), themed "Persistent Airfield Denial." This initiative seeks innovative solutions to enable the persistent denial of enemy airfield operations. Up to three winners may receive monetary awards of up to 250,000€. Submissions are due July 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time.
Purpose & Scope
This RFIP aims to facilitate collaboration between HQ SACT, JATEC, and participants to identify, accelerate, and validate solutions for persistently denying enemy airfield operations. This includes enabling autonomous or operator-directed engagement of aircraft, runways, fuel, munitions storage, and ground support infrastructure. The challenge focuses on developing capabilities that can reach and engage targets at operationally relevant ranges, sustain engagement over time, operate without continuous human control, and deliver sufficient mass and precision.
Key Requirements
Solutions must be:
- Technology-agnostic.
- Capable of operating in GPS-denied and Electronic Warfare (EW)-contested environments.
- Effective across all weather conditions and seasons.
- Focused on enabling persistent denial of enemy airfield operations.
- Have a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 5-7.
- Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) are preferred within six weeks.
Submission & Evaluation
Submissions are due by July 20, 2026, 5:00 PM Eastern Time, via the webform at https://innovationhub-act.org/what-we-do/events/innovation-challenge/. Required documents include a 2-page Concept Paper, a 2-page Technical Summary, a 2-page Preliminary Cost Estimate, a link to a 10-minute Video Demonstration, and a Declaration of Eligibility. A Selection Committee will evaluate submissions based on a Compliance Matrix and Scoring Criteria Matrix, selecting up to 10 finalists. These finalists will participate in a Pitch Day on September 3, 2026, in Warsaw, Poland (location to be confirmed), where a Jury will select the winners.
Eligibility & Awards
This opportunity is open to organizations officially registered with relevant government authorities, headquartered in a NATO nation or Ukraine, with beneficial owners also from a NATO nation or Ukraine. Up to three winners may receive monetary awards of up to 250,000€, conditional on meeting requirements and subsequent demonstration.
Important Notes
This is an RFIP only and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a commitment to issue a future RFP. HQ SACT will not reimburse costs incurred for responding or participating. All information provided in response must be releasable to the public. Participants grant HQ SACT rights to use their name, likeness, and submission content for promotional purposes. No feedback or debriefs will be provided.