• Defence Notes

  The 5 most significant defence notes stories of 2022

  29th December 2022

  The year 2022 saw dramatic changes in the international security landscape. These top 5 defence notes stories highlight the journey, from the UK to Ukraine.

• Air Warfare

  Bell V-280 Valor wins FLRAA Black Hawk replacement contract

  6th December 2022

  The US Army's Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) contract awarded to Bell marks the US Army’s largest helicopter procurement in 40 years. Here is everything you need to know about the programme.

• Training

  US Army spotlights constructive synthetic environment re-bids at I/ITSEC 2022

  5th December 2022

  The US Army's Project Manager Synthetic Environments is overseeing two major re-bid programmes.

• Air Warfare

  US Air Force launches prototype hypersonic missile from B-52 bomber

  16th December 2022

  The weapon is designed to allow the US to target high-value, time-sensitive targets in contested environments.

• Air Warfare

  Japan orders additional KC-46A tankers

  2nd December 2022

  Japan is enlarging its KC-46A Pegasus tanker fleet after signing a fresh contract with Boeing.

• Naval Warfare

  Shahid Soleimani catamaran enhances Iranian naval capabilities

  30th September 2022

  Is the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy showing its hand to expand beyond the Straits of Hormuz?

• Naval Warfare

  UK commits to two new survey ships, the first to be procured this year

  4th October 2022

  Galvanised by the recent damage to the Nordstream pipelines, the UK is procuring new ships for keeping tabs on critical undersea infrastructure.

• Defence Helicopter

  US joins NATO allies in European helicopter air assault exercise

  22nd November 2022

  American, Dutch and Polish rotary-wing assets were involved in large-scale operations practising cargo and personnel transport and drops, and other operations.

• Land Warfare

  Switzerland gains US approval for Patriot air defence missile buy

  18th November 2022

  Switzerland will acquire up to 72 Patriot missiles under a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) transaction.

• Air Warfare

  BriteCloud decoy for combat aircraft moves closer to US service

  25th November 2022

  The Air National Guard has 'recommended' use of the BriteCloud 218 decoy system following a series of DoD trials.

• Air Warfare

  US approves Chinook sale to South Korea

  7th December 2022

  South Korea's army and air force are ploughing ahead with plans to modernise its heavy-lift helicopter fleet.

• Air Warfare

  US approves Chinook sale to South Korea

  7th December 2022

  South Korea's army and air force are ploughing ahead with plans to modernise its heavy-lift helicopter fleet.

• Air Warfare

  US approves Chinook sale to South Korea

  7th December 2022

  South Korea's army and air force are ploughing ahead with plans to modernise its heavy-lift helicopter fleet.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Seebyte extends US Navy autonomous systems support

  29th November 2022

  Under the award, Seebye will support the USN’s MK18 UUV family of systems programme.

• Naval Warfare

  Euronaval 2022: BAE Systems details Herne XLAUV concept

  21st October 2022

  BAE Systems has combined its expertise in underwater systems and autonomy to develop the Herne XLAUV.

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 ...