• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: Leaders remain positive on LVC future

  30th November 2016

  Senior service leaders from all branches of the US military have used this year’s I/ITSEC to vocalise their support for a move towards blended, networked …

• Naval Warfare

  OPV river flows for Royal Navy

  9th December 2016

  The long expected contract for ships four and five of the River-class Batch 2 programme for the Royal Navy (RN) was announced on 8 November.  …

• Defence Notes

  Analysis: UK naval shipbuilding

  30th November 2016

  Too little too late There are some great recommendations from Sir John Parker in his independent report about the UK naval shipbuilding industry, all of …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: UK sees bright future for mixed-reality

  28th November 2016

  Whether it’s in the air, on the ground, or at sea, the use of simulators has become the norm for militaries across the world, but …

• Defence Notes

  BMD option touted for UK frigate

  1st December 2016

  Raytheon has called on the Royal Navy to consider adopting its SM-3 short- to intermediate-range ballistic missile defence (BMD) system, on its future Type 31 …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: CM Labs announces Vortex Studio

  1st December 2016

  CM Labs Simulations has used this year’s I/ITSEC in Orlando, Florida, to showcase several applications for its new Vortex Studio simulation and visualisation software, as …

• Naval Warfare

  NAVSEA seeks proposals for T-ATS

  16th November 2016

  The US Navy has released a draft request for proposals for the detailed design and construction of a new class of up to eight towing, …

• Defence Helicopter

  Lab tests for V-280 on track

  23rd November 2016

  The Bell V-280 Valor is on track for its first flight in September 2017 aided by recent successful testing in the company's laboratory of the …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: VR opens up affordable training

  28th November 2016

  Mirroring trends in the commercial gaming arena, virtual reality (VR) technology is once again likely to feature prominently at this year’s I/ITSEC exhibition held in …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2016: A solution to the readiness crisis?

  1st December 2016

  For years militaries around the world have been on a quest to properly quantify readiness and what it means for the effectiveness of a force …

• Defence Notes

  Korean defence companies enjoy explosion

  4th December 2016

  South Korean defence companies exploded amongst the ranks of the top 100 global defence companies, according to data released by the Stockholm International Peace Research …

• Defence Helicopter

  Indo Defence 2016: Boeing looks to leverage Apache sale

  3rd November 2016

  Boeing is eyeing Vietnam as the next potential regional opportunity for its military rotorcraft, after getting a ‘foot in the door’ in Indonesia. The company …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  AT&T, NASA research UAS traffic management

  15th November 2016

  US telecom firm AT&T and NASA are collaborating on research into traffic management solutions for UAS, the company announced on 10 November. The collaboration aims …

• Defence Notes

  Taiwan jet trainer delayed 10 years

  25th November 2016

  The indigenous defence manufacturing policy of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen will delay the air force's acquisition of 66 advanced jet trainers (AJT) to replace the …

• Land Warfare

  India to buy T-90MS tanks

  11th November 2016

  The procurement of 464 T-90 main battle tanks by India was approved in early November by the defence minister, Manohar Parrikar. He chaired India’s Defence …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - fixed-wing

  MUM-T Drone [Thailand]

  Programme Background Roadmap In February 2024, the RTAF unveiled its White Paper 2024. Incorporating lessons from the Russo-Ukrainian War, the Israel-Hamas War, and other events ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  KF-21 Loyal Wingman [South Korea]

  Programme Background KF-21 Boramae Crewed Fighter The Republic of Korea’s Air Force (ROKAF) plans to acquire the KF-21 Boramae fighter, replacing F-4E Phantom II and F-5E/F fighters in the ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  Air Launched Effect (ALE) [South Korea]

  Programme Background KF-21 Boramae Crewed Fighter The Republic of Korea's Air Force (ROKAF) plans to acquire the KF-21 Boramae fighter, replacing F-4E Phantom II and ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing

  Air Launched Loyal Wingman [Japan]

  Programme Background Air-Launched Loyal Wingman As reported by Shephard, a 30 October 2020 contract awarded to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) meant the company would lead ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  AH-64E Apache-UK

  According to the MoD, to further ‘guarantee value for money’ systems from the current Apache fleet such as the Modernised Target Acquisition & Designation System, ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  AH-64E Apache-Morocco

  Morocco has placed a request with the US government for AH-64E Apache attack helicopters. On 20 November 2019, it was announced that the US State ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  AH-64E Apache-Morocco Follow-On

  Morocco has placed a request with the US government for AH-64E Apache attack helicopters. On 20 November 2019, it was announced that the US State ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  T129B (Philippines)

  Programme Background On 31 August 2019, it was announced that the Philippines National Defence Acquisition Decision Memorandum continues with the T-129 procurement. However, on 30 April ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  Future Attack Helicopter (Germany)

  Programme Background Germany is reportedly struggling to keep its fleet of 68 Tiger attack helicopters in a decent technical condition that would allow combat squadrons ...

• Trainer

  Future Lead-In Fighter Training System (Project Air 6002 PH1) - Australia

  Programme Background Requirements The RAAF is seeking a future solution that provides a ‘relevant, adaptable, affordable and safe LIFTS out to 2050’ for training pilots ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  AH-64E Apache (Indian Air Force)

  Programme Background The Indian Army was originally granted co-ownership of the 22 Apaches by the Indian MoD. However, the IAF refused to cede them to ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  Kruk / AH-64E Apache [Poland]

  Programme Background In May 2019, Wojciech Skurkiewicz, the Polish deputy defence, released some details on the helicopter programme. Part of Poland's broader defence modernisation plan, the tender ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  AH-64E Apache (Israel)

  Programme Background IDF Ground Forces Command is urging the Israeli MoD to request the acquisition of up to 40 AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters from ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  AH-64E Apache (Indian Army)

  It is a hybrid procurement, as was the 2015 Air Force one (see separate entry), employing both a direct commercial sale with Boeing and an ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  Project Land 4503

  Programme Background The Australian Army has begun its search for a successor to the Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH), with an RfI issued by the ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Loitering munitions, Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini

  MUM-T

  The Military Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) is a UAS in development by Korean Aerospace Industries. Showcased at Seoul ADEX 2021, the MUM-T can be launched from the ...

• Loitering munitions, Military UAS - fixed-wing

  Air Launched Effect (ALE)

  The Air-Launched Effect (ALE) is an in-development uncrewed platform from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). Shown at IDEX 2023, it is set to come in two variants, one ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  Demogorgon

  In late October 2021, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) awarded Kratos Unnamed Systems Division an initial $17.68 million 12-month cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to develop an Off-Board Sensing ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  Arrow

  The Arrow is a supersonic prototype UAV developed by Singapore-based Kelley Aerospace. According to the manufacturer, the 16.8t prototype will be operated as a conventional UAV, ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  Uncrewed Checkmate

  At the Dubai Airshow 2021, United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), the parent company of Checkmate manufacturer Sukhoi Design Bureau, announced its intention to manufacture an uncrewed version of ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  Koios

  Manufactured by Callen-Lenz, the Koios is a small-UAS available in both a VTOL and non-VTOL variant.  Designed for the civil and military market, as standard, ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  Defender

  The Defender is a jet-powered uncrewed escort aircraft built by GA-ASI. The primary goal of the UAV is to protect high-value airborne assets, such as refuelling ...

• Land: handheld NV devices, Land: handheld day observation, surveillance and targeting systems, Weapon sights for night use (image intensifiers)

  MUM-14

  The Multi-Use Mini-Monocular (MUM-14) is a modular, passive NVD designed to maintain situation awareness in a range of low-light conditions, utilising a single Gen III ...

• Data links

  Micro TMA

  Thales Micro TMA is a high-rate datalink designed for uncrewed platforms and video streaming applications from aircraft. It provides command and control functions as well ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  AH-64D Apache Longbow

  The AH-64D Apache Longbow is an out-of-production attack helicopter that Boeing manufactured. Boeing delivered the first Apache Longbow in April 1997. From 2012, the Block III ...

• Military UAS - MALE, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Night Intruder 600 Vertical Take-Off (NI-600VT)

  The Night Intruder 600 Vertical Take-Off (NI-600VT) is an in-development UAV from Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) based on an MD 500 twin-seat American commercial helicopter airframe. With the ...

• Air: helicopter flight simulators

  Apache Longbow Training System

  The Longbow Crew Trainer is the centrepiece of Boeing’s AH-64 Apache training. Pilots and other personnel use the high-fidelity flight simulator to practice aircraft procedures ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  Gambit (Series)

  The Gambit Series are five UAV variants based around the Gambit Core, a common system containing the platform's hardware: landing gear, baseline avionics, chassis, and other essential functions. ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  WAH-64 Apache

  The WAH-64/AH1 Apache is a variant of the Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow, developed and built by Leonardo from 1996 to meet British Army requirements. One ...

• Air: aerial targets

  BQM-34 Firebee

  The BQM-34 Firebee is an uncrewed aerial target system that the USAF and USN have used for more than 50 years. The primary mission of ...