• Training

  Aero Vodochody to deliver new L-39NG jets to Czech Air Force

  16th November 2022

  The Czech Air Force will use the four new L-39NG trainer jets for basic and advanced combat training.

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2022: BAE Systems and Red 6 augment Hawk trainer jet's reality

  29th November 2022

  Integrated with BAE Systems' Hawk fast jet trainer, Red 6's Advanced Tactical Augmented Reality Systems can provide Red Air and synthetic training against near-peer adversaries.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Multi-use NATO pod flies on MQ-9

  21st December 2022

  The new NATO pod increases configuration and payload for the MQ-9s which are operated widely across Europe.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Meshing UAS gives smaller systems strategic capabilities, Textron says

  14th November 2022

  This year marks Textron's second year at the US Army's Project Convergence, bringing two uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) and three uncrewed ground vehicles to demonstrate collaborative teaming.

• Land Warfare

  John Cockerill joins three EDF defence projects

  27th September 2022

  The company was selected to participle in the FAMOUS2, MARSEUS and INDY efforts.

• Land Warfare

  AUSA 2022 - GDLS unveils the next generation of Abrams and Stryker

  10th October 2022

  AbramsX and StrykerX feature a hybrid power pack, GDLS Katalyst architecture and AI sensors. These capabilities can be used to retrofit the existing fleet of Abrams and Strykers.

• Land Warfare

  EU countries seek advanced ground combat capabilities

  15th December 2022

  In order to plug capability gaps highlighted by the war in Ukraine, European governments aim to invest in cutting-edge weapons and data management systems, artificial intelligence and next-generation armoured vehicles.

• Defence Notes

  Despite sanctions, India's dependence on Russian military equipment likely to persist for decades to come

  23rd January 2023

  Despite boosting indigenous production and diversifying its sources of military equipment, India is in no position to give up its long-time dependence on Russia.

• Air Warfare

  Airbus and Royal Air Force achieve sustainable aviation fuel milestone

  22nd November 2022

  The Royal Air Force, Airbus and other industry partners have conducted the UK's first ever 100% sustainable aviation fuel flight, replicating an air-to-air refuelling sortie.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  How cargo containers for UAVs can improve resupply capabilities

  22nd November 2022

  Describing its technology as akin to shipping containers for UAVs, TB2 Aerospace believes its cargo system for drones could yield benefits for tactical resupply.

• Naval Warfare

  Euronaval 2022: Airbus and Rohde & Schwarz eye naval benefits of future 6G communications

  19th October 2022

  6G secure communications remain at a nascent stage but Airbus and Rohde & Schwarz aim to bring the benefits to navies.

• Land Warfare

  BAE Systems sets out vision for next-generation combat vehicles

  28th October 2022

  BAE Systems is focusing on improving survivability, lethality and sustainability of new and in-service armoured platforms for the US military.

• Air Warfare

  B-21 still makes ‘good progress’ towards possible first flight this year

  16th September 2022

  The USAF says the B-21 Raider bomber — currently in the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase — is on track for initial deliveries in the mid-2020s.

• Defence Notes

  US Air Force inches closer to hypersonic capability

  9th December 2022

  The US Air Force’s first hypersonic weapon is scheduled to be operational from the B-52 in the autumn of 2023.

• Air Warfare

  Babcock wins French air base ground support equipment contract

  20th December 2022

  Babcock considers France an important market and the newly awarded support contract marks its first step towards supporting the French Armed Forces.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - fixed-wing

  Bandit (US)

  Programme Background Goal As stated by Alyson Turri, the AFRL Bandit programme manager, the goal is to "develop an unmanned platform that looks like a fifth-generation ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Rafale - Follow-On (Greece)

  Programme Background Referring to the rearmament programme for 2020-2025, Greek defence minister Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos said in parliament on 7 October 2021 that up to 48 new multi-role ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Kalina Class

  The Kalina-class conventionally powered submarine is being developed to follow the Lada-class submarines. The new fifth-generation Kalina-class will be used for coastal defence against surface ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Kalina Class

  The Kalina-class conventionally powered submarine is being developed to follow the Lada-class submarines. The new fifth-generation Kalina-class will be used for coastal defence against surface ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A (1-20) [Greece]

  Programme Background Timeline In April 2019, Defence Minister Evangelos Apostolakis confirmed the country’s serious interest in purchasing the F-35. He told the press that in ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Multirole Fighter (UAE)

  Programme Background Abu Dhabi has a long-standing interest in two squadrons of F-35, which had been refused until 2017 when it was reported that the ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Future Combat Air System (FCAS/SCAF) [France]

  Programme Background The governments of France and Germany have launched the demonstrator phase for the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) with the issue of an ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Multirole Fighter (Morocco)

  Programme Background In March 2019, the US State Department announced that it has approved a possible FMS of 25 F-16V Block 72 aircraft to Morocco ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Future Combat Air System (FCAS/SCAF) [Germany]

  Background Requirement The FCAS programme is based on the system-of-systems design, envisioning a "command fighter" aircraft that has stand-alone combat capability as well as controlling ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | JAS-39C/D Gripen Replacement [Czech Republic]

  The Czech Republic Air Force operates 14 Gripens (12 JAS 39C and two JAS 39D variants) under a lease agreement that runs until 2027 with an option ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | JAS-39C/D Gripen Replacement [Czech Republic]

  The Czech Republic Air Force operates 14 Gripens (12 JAS 39C and two JAS 39D variants) under a lease agreement that runs until 2027 with an option ...

• Data links

  Data links | JAS-39C/D Gripen Replacement [Czech Republic]

  The Czech Republic Air Force operates 14 Gripens (12 JAS 39C and two JAS 39D variants) under a lease agreement that runs until 2027 with an option ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | JAS-39C/D Gripen Replacement [Czech Republic]

  The Czech Republic Air Force operates 14 Gripens (12 JAS 39C and two JAS 39D variants) under a lease agreement that runs until 2027 with an option ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | JAS-39C/D Gripen Replacement [Czech Republic]

  The Czech Republic Air Force operates 14 Gripens (12 JAS 39C and two JAS 39D variants) under a lease agreement that runs until 2027 with an option ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Future Combat Air System (FCAS/SCAF) [Spain]

  Programme Background Programme Timeline The Future Combat Air System (FCAS) was publicly announced in July 2017, followed by a Franco-German agreement in 2018. At the ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Zero-G HMDS+

  The Zero-G HMDS+ is a developmental helmet-mounted display system being developed by Collins Aerospace and Elbit Systems for sixth-generation higher aircraft. According to the company, ...

• Data links

  Multifunction Advanced Data Link

  Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL) is a Ku-band data link designed for fifth-generation aircraft. The directional, interflight system is integrated into all F-35 variants, allowing ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Su-75 Checkmate

  Checkmate is a fifth-generation light tactical aircraft being developed by Sukhoi. Its prototype was unveiled at MAKS 2021. Checkmate's first flight is scheduled in 2023, ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Low Profile Head-Up Display (LPHUD)

  The Low profile Head-up Display (LPHUD) series is designed developed by Elbit Systems' ISTAR division, for fourth and fifth generation advanced fighter aircraft jets. Notalby, ...

• Fighter - multirole, Fighter - naval

  F-35C

  The F-35C Lightning II, also known as the F-35 carrier variant (CV), is a fifth-generation multirole combat aircraft in carrier configuration. It has larger wings and ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A

  The F-35A Lightning II is a fifth-generation multirole combat aircraft with CTOL capabilities. It is a multinational programme led by the US DoD, bringing together ...

• Fixed wing aircraft engines

  AL-41F-1S

  Manufactured by Saturn, the AL-41F-1S aircraft engine is a modular two-shaft turbofan engine with thrust vector control and integrated digital control. The engine is used ...

• Fixed wing aircraft engines

  PD-14M

  PD Family of Engines comprises of bypass two-shaft turbojet engines with a light shroudless fan. The PD family of engines are designed for short- and ...

• Air-to-air missiles, Surface-to-air missiles

  Python-5

  The Python-5 is an Israeli beyond-visual-range anti-air missile developed by Rafael. The newest member of the Python family, the Python-5 is described as a fifth-generation air-to-air ...

• Air-to-surface missiles, Anti-ship missiles

  JSM

  The Joint Strike Missile (JSM) is a multirole version of the Naval Strike Missile. Norway funded the programme to develop and produce the JSM for the ...

• Fighter - multirole, Fighter - naval

  F-35B

  The F-35B Lightning II is a fifth-generation multirole combat aircraft with short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) capability. The USMC is the main customer for the F-35B, ...

• Land: air defence radar

  ELM-2026B VSHORAD

  The ELM-2026B Very Short Range Air Defence Radar (VSHORAD) is designed for detection and tracking of airborne targets, including a variety of low-RCS and low-flying ...

• Reconnaissance/patrol vehicles

  Eagle V 4x4

  GDELS unveiled the fifth generation of its Eagle light tactical vehicle at Eurosatory 2012. The platform has replaced earlier-generation vehicles in production. More than 1,250 ...

• Fighter - multirole

  J-31/FC-31

  The J-31 (also known as the 'Falcon Eagle' in Chinese) is a fifth-generation multirole stealth fighter domestically developed by China. Its export variant is designated as ...

• 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 ...