• Air Warfare

  GAO report reveals critical F-35 maintenance challenges impacting US fighter readiness

  3rd October 2023

  The US DoD is facing significant obstacles in achieving its sustainment goals for the fleet of approximately 450 F-35 fighters despite plans to expand the fleet to 2,000 over the next two decades.

• Training

  Boeing and Red 6 make moves on airborne augmented reality training

  21st November 2023

  Boeing and augmented reality training specialist Red 6 have achieved notable progress in integrating advanced technology into training aircraft.

• Air Warfare

  Croatia officially receives first Dassault Rafale fighter jet

  3rd October 2023

  The official handover of the first Dassault Rafale B jet is a key development in a deal involving 12 aircraft for Croatia. This marks the start of a transition from Croatia's Soviet-era MiG-21 fighters and legacy aircraft.

• Land Warfare

  Poland signs contract for Javelin anti-tank weapon production

  8th September 2023

  Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) and the Javelin Joint Venture (JJV) have signed an MoU to explore Javelin anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) production in Poland, securing future production and strengthening strategic partnerships.

• Naval Warfare

  Australia narrows the field for Sea 1905 MCM programme

  11th October 2023

  The Australian navy's mine countermeasures programme is moving forward ever so slowly.

• Land Warfare

  Upgraded MLRS set for Finland after US State Department approves $395 million deal

  2nd August 2023

  The US State Department has approved the potential sale of a M270A2 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) upgrade to Finland, enhancing the country's capability and strengthening NATO alliance. The estimated cost is $395 million.

• Air Warfare

  Greece kicks off talks to buy Black Hawk helicopters

  11th October 2023

  Greece's request for the Black Hawks is currently in the process of evaluation by the US Defence Cooperation office and the delivery timeline is estimated to be around three years from the finalisation of the contract.

• Naval Warfare

  How the Canadian Surface Combatant programme can recover from COVID-19 delays

  23rd August 2023

  The Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) is working with Irving Shipyard to manage the lingering impact of COVID-19 on the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) project.

• Air Warfare

  US Navy's next-generation high-speed missile might not be hypersonic

  8th August 2023

  Concepts for new missiles for the US Navy (USN) are being finalised under the Hypersonic Air-Launched Offensive Anti-Surface Weapon (HALO) programme.

• Naval Warfare

  US declares IOC for special operations mini-sub

  25th July 2023

  Lockheed Martin's Dry Combat Submersible (DCS) achieves Initial Operational Capability with US Special Operations Command. This vehicle enables covert underwater missions, transforming undersea warfare for special operators.

• Defence Helicopter

  Indonesia signs MoU for S-70M Black Hawks

  4th September 2023

  The Indonesian military has turned its sights on S-70M Black Hawk helicopters, with the service never having bought platforms from Sikorsky before.

• Defence Helicopter

  US approves AH-64 Apache attack helicopters for Poland

  23rd August 2023

  Poland is poised to enhance its military might through acquiring AH-64 Apache attack helicopters from the US.

• Naval Warfare

  Lockheed Martin's PAC-3 MSE missile successfully communicated with Aegis radar

  11th July 2023

  Lockheed Martin's PAC-3 MSE interceptor has successfully communicated with the AN/SPY-1 radar, a significant step towards integrating the missile into the Aegis Weapon System for enhanced maritime defence capabilities.

• Training

  Exclusive: Full list of British Army $1 billion collective training programme bidders revealed

  23rd November 2023

  Internal documents obtained by Shephard have revealed a covert line up of companies, including Elbit Systems, joining the competition for the British Army Collective Training System (ACTS, previously known as CTTP).

• Training

  Lockheed wins Littoral Combat Ship trainer contract

  12th July 2023

  Lockheed Martin has been awarded a contract worth up to $99 million to provide modernisation and technical support for Littoral Combat Ship training devices.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16V Block 70 (Bahrain)

  Programme Background In 2018, the US government awarded a $1.12 billion contract to Lockheed Martin to produce 16 F-16 Block 70 aircraft for Bahrain, which ...

• Frigates

  Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)

  Programme Background The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) programme was developed in 2003 as a cheap and fast way to increase the size of the fleet ...

• Destroyers

  Canadian Surface Combatant/River Class [Canada]

  Development and Procurement Requirements Fifteen frigates are being procured to replace the Royal Canadian Navy's 12 ageing Halifax-class frigates and the now-retired Iroquois-class destroyers with ...

• Frigates

  Multi-Mission Surface Combatant (MMSC) [Saudi Arabia]

  Programme Background The US State Department approved a possible $11.25 billion Foreign Military Sale to the KSA for MMCS ships and associated equipment, parts and ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | C-130J (1-2) [Egypt]

  In September 2024, Egypt confirmed the order of two C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft from Lockheed Martin. The announcement follows the US State Department's approval of ...

• Data links

  Data links | C-130J (1-2) [Egypt]

  In September 2024, Egypt confirmed the order of two C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft from Lockheed Martin. The announcement follows the US State Department's approval of ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | C-130J (1-2) [Egypt]

  In September 2024, Egypt confirmed the order of two C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft from Lockheed Martin. The announcement follows the US State Department's approval of ...

• Military helicopters - maritime

  MH-60R Seahawk (India)

  Programme Background On 25 February 2020, a letter of acceptance for 24 MH-60Rs, worth approximately $2.12 billion, was signed by India and the US in Delhi. ...

• Maritime patrol

  Maritime Airborne Warfare System (MAWS) [Germany]

  Programme Background In 2017, Germany and France announced that they would be developing an MPA to replace their current fleets in service. The MAWS programme ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) [Japan]

  Programme Background Shephard notes that GCAP's Japanese, British and Italian components are tracked in separate entries. Programme Timeline 2020: The Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency of Japan issued ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Submarines Procurement Programme [Saudi Arabia]

  The Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) is in the process of a fleet transformation plan which, so far, has seen the procurement of corvettes from ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Submarines Procurement Programme [Saudi Arabia]

  The Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) is in the process of a fleet transformation plan which, so far, has seen the procurement of corvettes from ...

• 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 ...

• Fighter - multirole

  MRCA - Multi Role Combat Aircraft (Fighter)

  Launched years ago, the Medium Multirole Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) programme is notorious internationally of the serpentine nature of Indian military procurements. Under the MMRCA, the ...

• Fighter - multirole, Trainer

  MRCA - Multi Role Combat Aircraft (Trainer)

  Launched years ago, the Medium Multirole Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) programme is notorious internationally of the serpentine nature of Indian military procurements. Under the MMRCA, the ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Land: battlefield and ground surveillance radar

  AN/TPQ-53

  The AN/TPQ-53 counterfire target acquisition radar can track incoming rounds at a range of 60km when using its 90° search mode or at 20km range ...

• Fighter - air superiority

  F-22A Raptor

  F-22A Raptor is a fifth-generation stealth air superiority fighter with air-to-ground attack capability. It was developed by Lockheed Martin to meet the requirement of the USAF ...

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

  Indago 3/4

  The Indago 3 and Indago 4 are rotary-wing UAVs manufactured by Lockheed Martin. Ruggedised, backpackable, and rapidly deployable, the Indago system fits within a small backpack and ...

• Military UGVs

  AMAS

  The Autonomous Mobility Appliqué System (AMAS) is a multi-platform kit designed to integrate low-cost sensors and control systems onto US Army and USMC tactical vehicles ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  CMS 330

  Lockheed Martin Canada's CMS 330 is a combat management system designed as a modern, affordable solution for mid-life upgrades in particular. Initially developed for the ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  Singapore BWC

  The Singapore Basic Wings Course (BWC) is a 20-year service contract awarded to Lockheed Martin in November 2006 to provide the Republic of Singapore Air ...

• Air: mission management systems

  ABCCC III

  The Airborne Battlefield Command and Control Centre (ABCCC) is a capsulised, integrated battle management and communications system that is installed in USAF EC-130E Hercules aircraft ...

• Sea: naval surveillance radar

  AN/SPY-7(V)1

  The AN/SPY-7(V)1 is a Solid State Radar (LM SSR) developed and produced by Lockheed Martin. The system will be fully integrated onboard the Royal Canadian Navy's future Surface ...

• Sea: sonar systems

  TB-37/U MFTA / AN/SQR-20

  The TB-37/U, also known as the AN/SQR-20, is a Multi-Function Towed Array (MFTA) developed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin. The sonar has both active and ...

• Air: Integrated Defensive Systems

  Falcon Edge/IEWS

  Northrop Grumman’s Falcon Edge Integrated Self-Protection System (ISPS) equips the United Arab Emirates Air Force’s (UAEAF) Lockheed Martin F-16E/F Block-60 fighters. 

• Anti-ship missiles

  AGM-158C LRASM

  The Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) is a precision-guided, anti-ship standoff missile based on the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range. It is intended to meet the requirements ...

• Artillery rockets

  GMLRS

  The Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) is an extended-range guided version of the MLRS.  GMLRS rockets are surface-to-surface artillery rockets fired from the Multiple ...

• Air: COMINT and ELINT systems

  AN/ALQ-217

  Lockheed Martin’s AN/ALQ-217 is an Electronic Support Measure (ESM) designed to equip large, fixed-wing aircraft. Although not mentioned in the company’s official literature, it is ...

• Land: C2 simulators

  JLCCTC

  The Joint Land Component Constructive Training Capability (JLCCTC) integrates seven command and battle staff training tools into a simulation-based system. JLCCTC will support US Army, ...

• EO/IR systems

  IRST

  IRST is a passive, long-range IR search and track (IRST) sensor system that detects and tracks airborne threats in electronic attack and heavy countermeasure environments. ...