• Uncrewed Vehicles

  More UAS exemptions on the way, says FAA

  9th January 2015

  THE US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) says the two exemptions granted to commercial UAV companies this week are a sign of things to come. An …

• Military Logistics

  Italian Air Force orders three M-346 aircraft

  5th January 2015

  A contract signed on 22 December will see Alenia Aermacchi supply three additional M-346 advanced trainer aircraft to the Italian Air Force along with ground …

• Land Warfare

  More UK-built content possible for Scout

  18th December 2014

  General Dynamics UK (GDUK) is updating its ‘on-shore proposal’ for the MoD that will include more UK-built content for the British Army’s new Scout SV …

• Defence Helicopter

  Taiwan introduces first UH-60Ms

  17th December 2014

  Taiwan is standing up its first four Sikorsky UH-60M helicopters at Guiren Air Base, after they arrived from the US on 3 December. Destined for …

• Defence Notes

  Russian defence companies see growth, for now

  16th December 2014

  Russian defence companies saw a 20% rise in sales last year, according to a new report analysing the world’s top 100 arms producers. Several Russian …

• Defence Helicopter

  Bell confident on future V-22 laser-guided weapon integration

  11th December 2014

  Recent forward-firing tests on the V-22 Osprey will allow greater integration of laser-guided missiles such as Hellfire, Bell Helicopter officials have told Shephard. The company …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Arcturus to launch JUMP 20 UAV next month

  11th December 2014

  California-based unmanned aerial vehicle manufacturer Arcturus UAV will fly the first production model of its JUMP 20 aircraft in January.  Arcturus UAV president D’Milo Hallerberg …

• Land Warfare

  I/ITSEC: Significant interest in new Omnideck treadmill

  5th December 2014

  Omnifinity have displayed the Omnideck 6 at I/ITSEC in Orlando for the first time after developing the product for the past two years, and according …

• Defence Helicopter

  Airborne Services and NHI sign deal for repair services

  5th December 2014

  During the NIDV Defence and Security exhibition in Rotterdam last month, Dutch company Airborne Services signed an agreement for the maintenance of NH90 rotor blades …

• Naval Warfare

  EU Council to approve Maritime Security Strategy action plan

  2nd December 2014

  This week the Council of the EU is set to approve an “Action Plan” to implement the recommendations of the EU Maritime Security Strategy that was …

• Land Warfare

  Nammo details new contracts and live firings

  27th November 2014

  Nammo has signed new ammunition contracts with the Spanish Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Norwegian armed forces, and announced a successful live fire demonstration …

• Defence Notes

  I/ITSEC: Rockwell Collins studies future of simulation

  26th November 2014

  Rockwell Collins has launched two company-funded research efforts to explore how to make live, virtual, and constructive (LVC) training more effective.  The company will showcase …

• Land Warfare

  Russian army to purchase new SP antitank guns

  20th November 2014

  The Russian Ministry of Defence plans to purchase up to 30 upgraded 2S25 Sprut SD 125mm self-propelled anti-tank guns (SPATG) by the end of December.  …

• Defence Helicopter

  Netherlands examines SOF Air concept

  19th November 2014

  The Netherlands Defence Helicopter Command (DHC) has begun working up plans to establish a Special Operations Forces (SOF) Air capability, officials have revealed to Shephard. …

• Defence Helicopter

  US Army explores manned/unmanned teaming for utility helicopters

  17th November 2014

  The US military is exploring the application of manned/unmanned teaming capabilities for its fleet of Black Hawk utility helicopters.  According to a request for information …

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 ...