• Air Warfare

  First F-35 with latest Technology Refresh takes off

  12th January 2023

  The US Air Force has successfully tested the first F-35 jet with the latest Technology Refresh, the modernised hardware needed to power Block 4 capabilities.

• Defence Notes

  Ukraine air defences supplied by West force drop in Russian aircraft sorties

  7th December 2022

  Russia has reduced the number of sorties it is flying above Ukraine considerably, which is likely the result of a continued high threat from Ukrainian air defence systems, mostly supplied by allied nations, according to the UK MoD.

• Naval Warfare

  Black Sea drone attack reaffirms threat to naval vessels

  2nd November 2022

  A naval expert tells Shephard the Ukrainian attack on the Russian Black Sea Fleet assets, as reported, fits into a long tradition of weaker navies seeking to find ways to counter more powerful opponents.

• Naval Warfare

  UK hunts for uncrewed surface and subsurface vessel to support future commando operations

  4th October 2022

  With requirements stipulating de-risked and demonstrated technology, Subsea Craft’s VICTA diver delivery unit ticks many of the boxes for the UK’s uncrewed surface and subsurface vessel requirement.

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2022: The new programmes at the forefront of US Army training

  1st December 2022

  Openness and transparency are to the fore as the US Army's Program Executive Office for Simulation Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI) seeks closer ties with industry to deliver major projects.

• Land Warfare

  Estonia signs for US rocket artillery in country's largest ever defence procurement

  6th December 2022

  Estonia is to acquire HIMARS weapon systems to expand its indirect fires capabilities under a $200 million deal with the US.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Aerostructures manufacturing deal could smooth path to Indian MQ-9B purchase

  4th January 2023

  General Atomics' strategic partnership with India's Bharat Forge could pave the way to Delhi's long-awaited order of 30 MQ-9Bs.

• Air Warfare

  US awards missile and radar contracts to boost air defence

  23rd November 2022

  New modifications to existing Department of Defense contracts cover the latest AIM-9X air-to-air missiles and active electronically scanned array radars for the F-16.

• Defence Notes

  Gulf States continue to forge defence industry partnerships, boosting autonomy and economic diversification

  3rd March 2023

  Gulf states are shoring up their defence industrial bases and forging deeper partnerships with traditional Western primes.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  US Navy prevents Iranian attempt to capture Saildrone Explorer USV

  31st August 2022

  The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy failed in an apparent attempt to hijack a USV belonging to the US 5th Fleet.

• Digital Battlespace

  New UK surveillance ship arrives at Cammell Laird for conversion

  19th January 2023

  The vessel will also be used for research designed to deepen understanding of UK and international waters.

• Defence Notes

  Military assistance to Ukraine ramps up as winter approaches

  30th November 2022

  The past 14 days have seen another wave of announcements of military assistance for Ukraine, including support from the US, UK, Norway and Germany.

• Naval Warfare

  Italy marches on with Qatari ships while Algerian naval deal progresses

  24th January 2023

  Fincantieri will have delivered new corvettes, OPVs and an LPD to Qatar by 2024.

• Land Warfare

  Czech Republic receives the first Leopard 2A4

  26th December 2022

  The vehicle was delivered by the German MoD to replace armoured platforms the Czech Government donated to Ukraine.

• Land Warfare

  GDLS bets on innovative capabilities in USMC ARV competition

  12th August 2022

  GDLS is working on a prototype that will be equipped with an advanced electronic architecture and enhanced C4/UAS, AI, robotic and communication features.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• 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 ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6, APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Otaman (Ukrainian Marine Corps)

  Programme Background Practika first unveiled the Otaman family of 6x6 and 8x8 armoured vehicles in late 2016. These were developed to meet the requirements of ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  BTR-4E (Ukrainian Marine Corps)

  Programme Background The Ukrainian Navy is seeking to standardise the armoured vehicle fleet of the Ukrainian Marine Corps in order to simplify maintenance, logistics and ...

• APCs/IFVs - 4x4

  JLTV (Brazil - 1st Batch)

  Programme Background Under its PROADSUMUS programme, the Brazilian Marine Corps is procuring new equipment to support its deployment in expeditionary operations. One of the new ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Medium Landing Ship (9-18) [USMC]

  The US Marine Corps is looking to develop a new platform to bridge the gap between its large assault ships and smaller landing craft. This ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Medium Landing Ship (9-18) [USMC]

  The US Marine Corps is looking to develop a new platform to bridge the gap between its large assault ships and smaller landing craft. This ...

• APCs/IFVs - 4x4

  JLTV [Brazil - 2nd Batch]

  Programme Background Under its PROADSUMUS programme, the Brazilian Marine Corps is procuring new equipment to support its deployment in expeditionary operations. One of the new ...

• UAS: communication systems

  UAS: communication systems | QX-2 (Forecast) [Brazilian Marine Corps]

  In August 2023, EDGE Group announced that it hosted a four-day Brazilian Marine Corps delegation. The tour was focused on, among other things, autonomous systems and ...

• UAS: flight control systems

  UAS: flight control systems | QX-2 (Forecast) [Brazilian Marine Corps]

  In August 2023, EDGE Group announced that it hosted a four-day Brazilian Marine Corps delegation. The tour was focused on, among other things, autonomous systems and ...

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

  QX-2 (Forecast) [Brazilian Marine Corps]

  Programme Background Four-Day Tour On 3 August 2023, EDGE Group announced that it had hosted a four-day delegation from the Brazilian Marine Crops, showing it ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Medium Landing Ship (1-8) [USMC]

  The US Marine Corps is looking to develop a new platform to bridge the gap between its large assault ships and smaller landing craft. This ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Medium Landing Ship (1-8) [USMC]

  The US Marine Corps is looking to develop a new platform to bridge the gap between its large assault ships and smaller landing craft. This ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - small

  Tactical Resupply Unmanned Aircraft System (TRUAS) / Small ULS-A (US)

  Programme Background US Marine ULS-A programmes The US Marines are seeking a family of Unmanned Logistics Systems-Air (ULS-A), which will provide logistics and ground units with ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  F-5E/F Adversary Trainer US Navy

  The F-5N is a single seat, dual engine supersonic land based fighter. It is designed to a service life of 9000 flight hours. The aircraft ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  Large ULS-A / Aerial Logistics Connector (ALC) [USMC]

  Programme Background US Marine ULS-A programmes The US Marines are seeking a family of Unmanned Logistics Systems-Air (ULS-A), which will provide logistics and ground units with ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Laser pointers

  AN/PEQ-16 MIPIM

  The AN/PEQ-16 MIPIM (Mini Integrated Pointer Illuminator Module) is a multi-function laser pointer that incorporates an IR laser pointer, an IR illuminator, a visible red ...

• Air: helicopter flight simulators

  MCAT

  The Marine Common Aircrew Trainer (MCAT) has been designed to train CH-53E Super Stallion, MV-22B Osprey and UH-1Y Venom enlisted aircrew. The single training device ...

• APCs/IFVs - 4x4

  RG33

  BAE Systems RG33 is a family of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles available in both 4x4 and 6x6. The medium-weight class of BAE Systems MRAP ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  R600

  The R600 8x8 armoured vehicle is an amphibious IFV designed by Panus for the Royal Thai Marine Corps. It completed testing by the marines in ...

• Counter-UAS systems

  CLWS

  Developed by Boeing, Compact Laser Weapon System (CLWS or CLaWS) is a medium-range, low-power laser C-UAS system. According to the reports, the CLWS prototype has ...

• Land: Electronic Attack - Jamming

  AN/PLQ-9 Thor-III

  Sierra Nevada’s AN/PLQ-9 Thor-III is the standard Counter Improvised Explosive Device (CIED) manpack system in service with the US Army and US Marine Corps (USMC). ...

• Land: Electronic Attack - Jamming

  AN/PLT-5 Thor-II

  Sierra Nevada Corporations’s (SNC's) AN/PLT-5 Thor-II Counter Improvised Explosive Device (CIED) system is designed to equip CIED teams and is used throughout the US armed ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  Shadow M2

  The Shadow M2 builds on the Shadow 200, but has greater endurance and payload capability, quieter and more reliable propulsion and an optional SATCOM capability ...

• Assault rifles/carbines/shotguns

  6.5mm CT Carbine

  The 6.5mm Cased Telescoped (CT) Carbine is a closed-bolt, forward-feed, gas piston-operated weapon being developed as part of the US Army's Lightweight Small Arms Technology ...

• Air: mission management systems

  AFATDS

  Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) is a multi-service (US Army/USMC) joint and combined forces fire support battle command system. It provides automated support ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  AAV SU

  In May 2014, BAE Systems and SAIC received contracts from the USMC to develop survivability upgrade proposals for a portion of its 1,060-strong BAE Systems ...

• Subsystems: software

  FLAMES

  Flexible Analysis Modelling and Exercise System (FLAMES) is a family of COTS software products that claims to address all aspects of constructive simulation development and ...

• Self-propelled rocket launchers

  Fletcher

  Arnold Defense, which has produced more than 1.1 million 2.75in/70mm rocket launchers for airborne applications since 1961, unveiled the Fletcher 2.75in/70mm Weapon System at the September ...

• Land: battle management systems

  Integrated Combat Solution

  Kongsberg's Integrated Combat Solution (ICS) is a platform-agnostic digitisation and integration system designed for integration into vehicles or other tactical platforms. Suitable for both new vehicles and ...

• Air-to-surface missiles

  Viper-E

  In November 2011, MBDA bought the Viper-E (previously called Viper Strike) precision munition from Northrop Grumman. Viper-E allows aircraft, helicopters and UAVs to precisely engage ...