• Defence Notes

  How the Pentagon will use private capital to fund critical capabilities

  23rd March 2023

  The DoD has changed its structures and is been increasing efforts to facilitate access to loans by companies interested in working with artificial intelligence, advanced materials and semiconductors, biotechnology and quantum science.

• Digital Battlespace

  Lockheed Martin satellite with military potential rolls out for 2023 maiden launch

  1st February 2023

  The low-cost LM 400 satellite bus is customisable for multiple applications and supports the Pentagon's Modular Open Systems Architecture for defence missions.

• Training

  France awards virtual helicopter SAR training contract

  10th February 2023

  France is making strides in adopting simulators and other training devices for helicopter pilots and crews.

• Land Warfare

  Rheinmetall to upgrade Norwegian air defence sensors

  4th January 2023

  Norway will replace its current Rheinmetall MSP500 electro-optic sensor units, fielded as part of the NASAMS surface-to-air missile system, with the new MSP600digital.

• Land Warfare

  IDEX 2023: US extends M1 Abrams tank support for MENA operators

  15th February 2023

  General Dynamics Land Systems has been awarded additional Foreign Military Sales funds to extend technical support work for M1 Abrams tanks operated by Egypt, Morocco, Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

• Air Warfare

  IDEX 2023: Collins Aerospace partners with Saudi firm on UAS development

  22nd February 2023

  Collins Aerospace will integrate a number of its mission systems and software with SRB Aerial Systems' UAS platforms under a memorandum of understanding that is hoped to evolve into a long-term strategic partnership.

• Training

  Top trends in military training and simulation for 2023

  17th January 2023

  The training and simulation sector had a stimulating 2022, but this year may hold even more exciting technological developments for the industry. Bohemia Interactive Simulations' CPO Pete Morrison gave Shephard some hot topics to watch for 2023.

• Defence Notes

  Israeli defence firms strengthen Gulf ties at IDEX 2023

  24th February 2023

  Following the Abraham Accords, Israeli and Gulf defence firms have forged ever closer bonds.

• Air Warfare

  Indian Army fast-tracks new UAVs and C-UAS jammers

  14th February 2023

  India is quickly pushing UAVs into the hands of troops, with several new tenders issued, as well as other systems to jam enemy unmanned systems.

• Land Warfare

  Norway wants to add long-range fires after Leopard tank buy

  9th February 2023

  In addition to purchasing 54 Leopard 2 A7V MBTs, Norway is now preparing procurement of long-range fires with initial deliveries scheduled for 2026.

• Land Warfare

  DARPA seeks partners to fill infrared capabilities gap

  23rd September 2022

  DARPA is keen to find partners for the Optomechanical Thermal Imaging (OpTIm) programme. The effort will develop novel IR sensors without the drawbacks of thermal sensors and photodetectors.

• Land Warfare

  ROK Army gains cutting-edge firepower with new mortar carriers, light machine guns

  12th January 2023

  South Korea's procurement agency has approved or implemented a variety of programmes, including counter-battery radars, rocket launchers, light machine guns and mortar carriers.

• Land Warfare

  US Abrams tanks will take 'months' to arrive in Ukraine

  27th January 2023

  As the Pentagon does not have any surplus Abrams tanks in its inventory, it is analysing the best ways to supply Kyiv.

• Land Warfare

  Safran adds MINEO targeting sensors to the mix in Land 8116

  7th October 2022

  AS9 Huntsman 155mm self-propelled howitzers being acquired by Australia will include MINEO targeting sensors from Safran.

• Land Warfare

  Canada buys Aimpoint fire control system for Carl Gustaf recoilless rifles

  10th November 2022

  The Canadian Army will receive an undisclosed quantity of Aimpoint FCS13-RE fire control systems and thermal sites for integration with its Carl Gustaf weapon systems.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - micro

  NX70 Microdrone (Third Batch)

  Programme Background The French Army procured the NX70 to meet an urgent operational requirement for a small UAS that could provide short-range ISR for dismounted ...

• Military UAS - micro

  NX70 Microdrone (First Batch)

  Programme Background The French Army procured the NX70 to meet an urgent operational requirement for a small UAS that could provide short-range ISR for dismounted ...

• Military UAS - micro

  NX70 Microdrone (Second Batch)

  Programme Background The French Army procured the NX70 to meet an urgent operational requirement for a small UAS that could provide short-range ISR for dismounted ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  OC-135B Replacement (USAF- Cancelled)

  Programme Background The modification and Treaty Certification works include Digital Visual Imaging System kits, design and development for mission system integration (structural design, interphone communications systems, ...

• UAS: communication systems

  UAS: communication systems | FPV Drones [Moldova]

  In mid-2024, Lithuania's Minister of National Defense stated that Moldova had acquired and received the first deliveries of Lithuanian-made FPV drones and thermal night vision ...

• UAS: flight control systems

  UAS: flight control systems | FPV Drones [Moldova]

  In mid-2024, Lithuania's Minister of National Defense stated that Moldova had acquired and received the first deliveries of Lithuanian-made FPV drones and thermal night vision ...

• ISR/special mission

  King Air 350ER -Canada

  Programme Background Canadian Special Forces was looking to procure ISR aircraft to support their missions both overseas and domestically.  There were few Canadian suppliers to sell ...

• ISR/special mission

  King Air 350ER ISR - Kuwait

  Feb 2018: The US State Department has approved an estimated $259m potential foreign military sale of King Air 350ER intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft ...

• Special operations vehicles

  Neton VLOE

  Programme Background The VLOE will replace several variants of the VLOE Lathar (a SOF vehicles based on the Nissan Patrol ML-6 COTS chassis) currently in ...

• Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  FPV Drones [Moldova]

  Programme Background Lithuanian Drones Lithuania's Minister of National Defense, Laurynas Kasciunas, announced that Lithuian-produced thermal night vision devices and FPV drones had begun being delivered to Moldova during ...

• Trainer

  Joint Terminal Attack Controller (Project Air 6016)(Australia)

  Programme Background Requirements Project Air 6016 aims to deliver a sovereign training system to ensure the sustainable generation of sufficient and appropriately skilled Joint Terminal Attack ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  DEF129 Nano UAS [Australia]

  Programme Background DEF129 The Australian Ground Service has combined various army procurement efforts under the DEF129 programme to increase the abundance and proliferation of UAVs ...

• Reconnaissance/patrol vehicles

  VBMT Rec Multirole Armoured Reconnaissance Vehicle

  Technical Requirements The Brazilian Army released two documents outlining the technical and operational requirements for the VBMT Rec in early 2020. These elucidate a number ...

• Tanks

  Viatura Blindada de Combate-Carro de Combate (VBC-CC) [Brazil]

  Programme Background Several key technical requirements have been outlined by the Brazilian MoD. Among the most important are that the platform should weigh less than ...

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

  Artillery Mini-UAV (India)

  Programme Background Mass of Requests In October 2022, the Indian Army released a flurry of RfIs for various UAVs, showing its desperation to get UAVs ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• EO/IR systems

  USG-261T

  The USG-261T is a night-view, light-weight mini camera gimbal designed for small fixed-wing and multirotor platforms. It has a thermal imaging camera to capture videos in ...

• Land: handheld NV devices

  Vipir-2S+

  Vipir-2S+ is a lightweight, military-standard, handheld thermal sight designed for medium-range surveillance and target observation. Vipir-2S+ utilises uncooled thermal imaging technology. 

• Land: handheld NV devices

  Alice HH

  The Alice HH is an uncooled handheld thermal imaging camera based on a high-resolution focal plane, using uncooled IR technology with no need for cryo-cooling ...

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  Piranha ZTI

  The Piranha ZTI is an uncooled thermal imaging camera. The lens features anti-reflective coatings throughout and a diamond-line carbon coating on the external surface.

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  Juniper

  The Juniper is a miniature, uncooled, wide-FOV thermal imaging camera which can be integrated into miniature UAVs, small robotic vehicles, small maritime EO payloads and ...

• Land: handheld NV devices

  U3061i

  The U3061i is an uncooled thermal imaging camera used for individual soldier observation. Its detection range is 2.5km for personnel and up to 14km for ships. ...

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  CamSight

  CamSight is a family of lightweight, compact core cameras to be integrated into complex optronic systems equipping UAV, UGV, and UGS systems. The CamSight optronic modules ...

• EO/IR systems

  SPARROW SR-HD

  The SPARROW SR-HD is a thermal imaging camera for versatile applications such as intelligence gathering, surveillance, and long-range control systems.  This uncooled infrared system operates ...

• Land: vehicle surveillance/target acquisition systems

  STAWS

  The Surveillance Target Acquisition and Weapon Aiming Sight (STAWS) provides 24-hour all-weather surveillance and target acquisition. It is an integrated, passive, multispectral sighting system utilising ...

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  Atom

  Atom is a high-resolution IR camera core, available based on uncooled microbolometer IR detectors of either 1,024x768 or 640x480px. The cores can be integrated into ...

• EO/IR systems

  MicroPOP

  IAI has upgraded the Micro Plug-In Optronic Payload (Micropop). It is an observation payload designed for integration on small UAVs and UGVs. The MicroPOP is ...

• EO/IR systems

  Micro-STAMP

  The MICRO-STAMP is an ultra-small EO/IR payload. It features an uncooled IR thermal imaging camera, a high-resolution TV CMOS camera and a dual FOV uncooled IR detector. It ...

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  ZiR-60

  The ZiR-60 thermal imaging attachment is designed to be used with day optical sights mounted on sniper weapons, to convert them into functional thermal sights ...

• EO/IR systems

  Denizgözü Martı

  The Denizgözü Martı is an Electro-Optical Reconnaissance and Surveillance System designed for marine applications. Its main components include an uncooled LWIR thermal imaging sensor, a ...

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  EyeR Core VA

  The EyeR Core VA is a longwave infrared (LWIR) platform which is equipped with Opgal's imagine-processing capabilities. The thermal imaging core supports advanced algorithms, allowing ...