• Air Warfare

  Canada buys weaponised MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones

  21st December 2023

  The deal signed between Canada and General Atomics included ground control stations and initial weapons for the MQ-9B SkyGuardian, with deliveries expected to commence in 2028.

• Training

  Turkey completes Romania air policing mission

  16th April 2024

  Turkish F-16 experience was praised by Romanian fighter pilots as Turkey completes first participation in NATO southern mission.

• Land Warfare

  Israel reevaluates its ammunition requirements as shortage looms

  16th February 2024

  Israel has challenges in ensuring its ammunition stocks do not dwindle further as it relies on US support and domestic suppliers to meet updated demands.

• Land Warfare

  Preparations underway for Saudi–US Red Sands exercise

  10th January 2024

  Last year’s Rad Sands Live Fire (RSLF) included a demonstration of C-UAS capability and the second of this year’s events in October/November will be expected to include similar activity and companies from earlier events such as MARSS.

• Naval Warfare

  US doubles its presence in the Middle East to de-escalate tensions in the region

  28th August 2024

  The Pentagon has increased its naval and aerial assets in the area due to Houthi and Hezbollah attacks.

• Special Operations

  Anduril launches Menace-X C4 solution, broadening tactical communications for SOF

  3rd May 2024

  Anduril introduces Menace-X, a vehicle-based C4 solution enhancing SOF communications that supports complex missions with advanced networking.

• Training

  US Army to use virtual reality to train combat medics

  22nd December 2023

  The service is working with USC ICT to develop the OPUS-C BTE medical VR solution to train healthcare professionals in gunshot and blast trauma surgical techniques.

• Air Warfare

  Canada invests in CF-18 Hornet fighter sustainment

  8th March 2024

  Canada’s decision to sustain its CF-18 fighter fleet reflected its commitment to modernising air defence capabilities amid challenges highlighted by a critical report commissioned by the Department of National Defence and released last year, casting doubt on its ability to fulfil NATO obligations.

• Land Warfare

  DroneShield unveils new DoD-tested ruggedised tactical controller

  19th December 2023

  DroneShield has produced C-UAS solutions ranging from handheld DroneGun jammer to the larger detect-and-defeat device DroneSentry-X.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  How Russia is ramping up efforts to counter drones in Ukraine

  30th April 2024

  Russian forces in Ukraine have been employing multifaceted strategies to counteract drones, as a past reliance on large-scale electronic warfare has shifted towards diverse, localised countermeasures.

• Air Warfare

  Brazil receives first fully operational upgraded E-99M AEW&C

  24th November 2023

  The updated E-99M aircraft features an updated Erieye Radar and C2 systems, as well as new EW and Identification, friend or foe (IFF) systems.

• Air Warfare

  NATO membership’s ripple effect: Transforming Nordic air forces

  3rd April 2024

  As Sweden and Finland embrace their newfound NATO membership, alignment with alliance requirements and regional interests could herald the dawn of a reinvigorated Nordic Air Force with enhanced defence capabilities.

• Land Warfare

  Adaptable Architecture: How Vehicle Communications are Evolving for the Modern Battlespace

  12th June 2024

  In Conversation... General Dynamics Mission Systems' Dr Emeka Egbogah talks to Shephard's Gerrard Cowan about the communications challenges facing armoured vehicle crews and the need for an open-architecture modular system to meet their constantly evolving needs.

• Training

  EU counter-IED exercise begins with 12 countries and 1,000 personnel

  7th November 2023

  Bison Counter 23 will include observers from Sweden, Latvia, Romania and the US, and has followed on from similar exercises in 2013, held in the Netherlands, 2016 (Sweden) and 2021 (Italy).

• Air Warfare

  World Defence Show 2024: Saudi Arabia exploring A330 and A400M tanker deals with Airbus

  5th February 2024

  Reports have suggested that Airbus has been in talks with Saudi Arabia to expand its fleet of military aircraft, including the procurement of A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport and A400M military transport aircraft.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | KC-130J [Saudi Arabia]

  Royal Saudi Air Force is seeking to purchase three KC-130J tanker aircraft in addition to two units acquired under FMS programme. On 9 November 2012, ...

• Data links

  Data links | KC-130J [Saudi Arabia]

  Royal Saudi Air Force is seeking to purchase three KC-130J tanker aircraft in addition to two units acquired under FMS programme. On 9 November 2012, ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | KC-130J [Saudi Arabia]

  Royal Saudi Air Force is seeking to purchase three KC-130J tanker aircraft in addition to two units acquired under FMS programme. On 9 November 2012, ...

• Transport

  C-130 Replacement [Saudi Arabia]

  Programme Background Requirement The Royal Saudi Air Force operates 33 C-130H, 7 KC-130H aircraft and two KC-130Js. The country has been seeking to replace its ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | C-130H Replacement [Sweden]

  Sweden urges to replace its ageing fleet of five C-130H aircraft and one KC-130H. Although Stockholm was initially interested in buying second-hand C-130J from Italy, the ...

• Data links

  Data links | C-130H Replacement [Sweden]

  Sweden urges to replace its ageing fleet of five C-130H aircraft and one KC-130H. Although Stockholm was initially interested in buying second-hand C-130J from Italy, the ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | C-130H Replacement [Sweden]

  Sweden urges to replace its ageing fleet of five C-130H aircraft and one KC-130H. Although Stockholm was initially interested in buying second-hand C-130J from Italy, the ...

• Transport

  C-130J - USAF

  Programme Background The C-130J Super Hercules is a four-engine turboprop transport aircraft developed by Lockheed Martin to replace aging C-130 variants. The US and FMS ...

• Transport

  C-130J (1-2) [Egypt]

  Programme Background Requirement The Egyptian Air Force operates a large number of legacy C-130 aircraft, with approximately 22 C-130Hs and three C-130H-30s remaining in service. These ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-130J - US Marine Corps

  Programme Background The C-130J Super Hercules is a four-engine turboprop transport aircraft developed by Lockheed Martin to replace aging C-130 variants. The US and FMS ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  HC/MC-130J - USAF

  Programme Background The C-130J Super Hercules is a four-engine turboprop transport aircraft developed by Lockheed Martin to replace aging C-130 variants. The US and FMS ...

• Transport

  C-130J-30 [Philippines]

  Programme Background Requirement The PAF relies on an older fleet of C-130s obtained secondhand. In fact, the last time the Philippines purchased brand-new Hercules was ...

• Transport

  Additional Transport Aircraft [Türkiye]

  Programme Background Requirement The Turkish Air Force (TurAF) operates a transport fleet including CN-235, C-130B/E, and A-400M aircraft. According to media sources, these airframes have ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | C-130J (Egypt)

  In January 2022 the US State Department approved the potential sale of up to 12 C-130J tactical transport aircraft to Egypt. The deal is potentially worth ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | C-130J (Egypt)

  In January 2022 the US State Department approved the potential sale of up to 12 C-130J tactical transport aircraft to Egypt. The deal is potentially worth ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  USAF C-130J MATS

  Training for USAF C-130J crews is managed under a programme called C-130J Maintenance and Aircrew Training System (MATS). Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor for ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  Italian Air Force C-130J Total Training System

  CAE’s C-130J Total Training System for the Italian Air Force (AMI) includes an OFT, cockpit avionics part-task trainer (CAPTT), computer-based training, training management information system ...

• Transport

  C-130J Super Hercules

  The C-130J Super Hercules is the latest model of the C-130 Hercules four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. The C-130J primarily performs the tactical portion of ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  C-130J MATS

  Lockheed Martin’s C-130J Maintenance and Aircrew Training System (MATS) programme provides a range of training devices and support services including aircrew instruction, operations, contractor logistics ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  Indian Air Force C-130J FMS

  CAE has designed and manufactured a C-130J FMS for the Indian Air Force. The device entered service at Hindan Air Base in 2012 and is ...

• Air: Defensive Systems - Radar Warning Receivers

  AN/ALR-56M(V)

  BAE Systems’ AN/ALR-56M Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) is a development of the company’s AN/ALR-56C RWR. The AN/ALR-56M’s architecture includes a superheterodyne receiver and controller, signals ...

• Maritime patrol, Transport

  HC-130H/J

  Based on the C-130H and C-130J transport aircraft, the HC-130H/J are long-range MPAs that also provide SAR and air transport capability. 

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-130J Super Hercules

  The KC-130J Super Hercules is a tanker variant of the C-130J Super Hercules. It is designed to deliver fuel to several platforms, including helicopters and ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  RAAF Airlift Programme

  The RAAF Airlift Programme required CAE to design, develop and manufacture three full-flight simulators, one each for the C-130J, C-130H and Boeing 707. The 707 ...

• ISR/special mission, Transport

  EC-130J Commando Solo

  The EC-130J Commando Solo is a special mission aircraft based on the C-130J transport airframe. It is used to conduct military information support operations and ...

• Air: surveillance and maritime patrol radar

  AN/APN-241

  The AN/APN-241 is a high-resolution ground mapping radar developed for C-130 mission and operational requirements. It enables accurate low-level navigation and precision aerial drops, predictive ...

• Transport

  C-27J Spartan

  The C-27J is a twin-turboprop tactical transport with new-generation technology in avionics, propulsion and systems. Alenia Aermacchi (now Leonardo) and Lockheed Martin began developing an ...

• ISR/special mission

  AC-130J

  The AC-130J 'Ghostrider' is a fifth-generation gunship manufactured by Lockheed Martin to replace the AC-130U/W gunships for the USAF deployed in 2019. The Ghostrider is a highly modified C-130J ...

• Fixed wing aircraft engines

  AE 2100

  The Rolls-Royce AE 2100 turboprop engine is a widely used military powerplant that can be found on Lockheed Martin C-130 variants (AE 2100D3), Leonardo C-27J ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  HF-9500

  Collins Aerospace HF-9500 is a 400-watt airborne HF radio system that features digital signal processing technology. Designed as a replacement for ARC-190 radios, it is standard ...