• Defence Notes

  Babcock hopes for brighter FY2022

  30th July 2021

  Sales and underlying profits fell for UK-based Babcock International in the 12 months ended 31 March, but it has already picked up new business in the first months of FY2022.

• Air Warfare

  King Stallion embarks on IOT&E

  9th August 2021

  Sikorsky and the USMC hope for a decision on CH-53K full-rate production in 2023, followed by a first operational deployment in 2024 and full operational capability by the end of the decade.

• Air Warfare

  Marshall passes maintenance milestone for USMC

  6th July 2021

  First USMC KC-130J to be upgraded under 2020 contract returns to its squadron.

• Military Logistics

  Boeing grabs delivery and support contract for Japanese KC-46As

  1st June 2021

  Boeing has been awarded a delivery and support contract for Japanese KC-46A aircraft.

• Training

  ANDSF training – where did it go so wrong? (Analysis)

  17th August 2021

  NATO and ISAF forces in Afghanistan have been training the ANDSF for many years, but when it came to the acid test of independent combat, Afghan forces were simply not up to the task. Why?

• Training

  RNLAF sells F-16s to Draken International

  6th July 2021

  As the RNLAF divests itself of the venerable F-16 over the next three years, a number are bound for adversary air specialists, Draken International in the USA.

• Defence Notes

  Afghanistan is a wake-up call for US defence establishment (Opinion)

  18th August 2021

  The world has been shocked by the US and allies departing Afghanistan with their tails between their legs. The abandonment is symptomatic of serious problems within the US defence establishment.

• Naval Warfare

  Full “Sense-to-Effect” Torpedo Countermeasure Capability (Sponsored Whitepaper)

  27th July 2021

  For over a hundred years submarines have lurked beneath the waves, providing a silent and current threat to surface shipping, both commercial and military. During World War I, the sinking of the RMS Lusitania by a torpedo fired from a German U-Boat showed the tactical advantages of having an underwater capability in maritime operations.

• Defence Notes

  FY2022 budget request delivers air power spending hit

  2nd June 2021

  Unsurprisingly, fifth-generation fighter funding dominates air power spending in the latest US defence budget request, but the retirement of over 200 US Air Force aircraft and a one-year delay to MH-139A helicopter plans are among the more eye catching subplots this time around.

• Air Warfare

  Air Warfare magazine: tankers, RAF modernisation and more

  9th June 2021

  Read the latest edition of Air Warfare for free in our app or on your desktop.

• Defence Notes

  Boeing releases Q1 delivery information

  14th April 2021

  The latest delivery data from Boeing presents a mixed picture.

• Defence Helicopter

  Podcast: Revolutions in Vertical Flight S2 E1 - The Search and Rescue Mission

  7th September 2021

  In this episode, we'll hear from industry experts and helicopter operators about the rise of the helicopter as a search and rescue machine, and how they're saving lives today.

• Defence Helicopter

  Podcast: Revolutions in Vertical Flight S2 E4 - The Utility of the Helicopter

  7th September 2021

  The helicopter has become an essential tool for militaries, parapublic agencies and emergency services. But its unique characteristics have also ensured a vital role for the helicopter across a myriad of commercial activities.

• Training

  Red Hawk to include lightweight multiband transceiver

  19th May 2021

  New advanced trainer aircraft for the USAF includes software-defined radio from Rohde & Schwarz.

• Naval Warfare

  UK Carrier Strike Group: preparation, interoperability and maintenance (Video)

  17th May 2021

  Behind the maiden deployment of the UK Carrier Strike Group to the Indo-Pacific are a multitude of efforts carried out by the RN, the MoD and industry to ensure the mission is executed with interoperability between vessels.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-46A (USA)

  Programme Background The first four Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) KC-46A aircraft were delivered to McConnell AFB in Kansas in January 2019. As of December 2020, a ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | KC-Y Tanker Aircraft (USA)

  The USAF is looking to procure tanker aircraft to bridge the gap between the delayed KC-46 fleet and the future Advanced Air Refueling Tanker (known also ...

• Data links

  Data links | KC-Y Tanker Aircraft (USA)

  The USAF is looking to procure tanker aircraft to bridge the gap between the delayed KC-46 fleet and the future Advanced Air Refueling Tanker (known also ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | KC-Y Tanker Aircraft (USA)

  The USAF is looking to procure tanker aircraft to bridge the gap between the delayed KC-46 fleet and the future Advanced Air Refueling Tanker (known also ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-Y Tanker Aircraft (USA)

  Programme Background The USAF is replacing its fleet of 396 KC-135 Stratotanker refuelling aircraft, built in the 1950s and 60s, and 59 KC-10 Extenders, which entered service ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-46A (Israel)

  Programme Background Boeing, according to reports, would not grant Israel Aerospace Industries permission to convert used 767s into tanker planes. Consequently, according to Channel 12 ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-46A Forecast (Israel)

  Programme Background Boeing, according to reports, would not grant Israel Aerospace Industries permission to convert used 767s into tanker planes. Consequently, according to Channel 12 ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  Heavy Multirole Tanker [Italy]

  Programme Background Requirement Italy operates four Boeing KC-767As, which provide the Italian Air Force with tanker capability. According to the Italian MoD, this tanker fleet ...

• APCs/IFVs - 4x4, Mine-protected vehicles

  Kirpi (Tunisia)

  Programme Background The Tunisian Armed Forces require mine-resistant vehicles to support its troops engaged in counter-terrorism missions, who face a high risk of attack from IEDs. ...

• 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 ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | KC-130J [Saudi Arabia]

  Royal Saudi Air Force is seeking to purchase three KC-130J tanker aircraft in addition to two units acquired under FMS programme. On 9 November 2012, ...

• Data links

  Data links | KC-130J [Saudi Arabia]

  Royal Saudi Air Force is seeking to purchase three KC-130J tanker aircraft in addition to two units acquired under FMS programme. On 9 November 2012, ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | KC-130J [Saudi Arabia]

  Royal Saudi Air Force is seeking to purchase three KC-130J tanker aircraft in addition to two units acquired under FMS programme. On 9 November 2012, ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | KC-390 (Option) [Portugal]

  The Portuguese Air Force is planning to purchase one KC-390 aircraft in addition to the five platforms under a contract signed in August 2019 to supply ...

• Data links

  Data links | KC-390 (Option) [Portugal]

  The Portuguese Air Force is planning to purchase one KC-390 aircraft in addition to the five platforms under a contract signed in August 2019 to supply ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-46A Pegasus

  In February 2011, Boeing received a USAF contract to build 179 KC-46A tankers, developed from the KC-767A. The first phase of the USAF's tanker recapitalisation ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-135 Stratotanker

  The KC-135 entered service in 1957 with the USAF, which plans to keep the type flying beyond 2040 when it will be replaced by the ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  KC-46A ATS

  FlightSafety supports the USAF aircrew training program for the KC-46A Pegasus tanker aircraft. The program delivers a multi-faceted training package to the USAF from design, ...

• Subsystems: visual

  VITAL 1100

  FlightSafety’s VITAL 1100 visual system provides pilots with simulator training that features realistic, detailed, high-resolution views designed to enhance safety. VITAL 1100 is combined with ...

• Air: Defensive Systems - Radar Warning Receivers, EW test systems

  Model 527

  The Model 527 radar signal simulator is used for end-of-runway and walk-around radiated RWR testing to verify the operational status of the aircraft and its ...

• Air: Defensive Systems - MLDS, Air: Defensive Systems - Laser Warning Receivers

  AN/AAR-47B(V)2

  The AN/AAR-47B Missile Warning System (MWS) is an EW system designed to protect low/slow-flying aircraft against surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles. The MWS will detect a ...

• Air: chaff, flare and decoy systems

  Alloy Surfaces and Kilgore IRCM flares

  Chemring Countermeasures develops and manufactures the Alloy Surfaces and Kilgore range of airborne IR flares that are compatible with most available dispensers on a variety ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-10 Extender

  The KC-10 Extender is a tanker/transport aircraft developed for the USAF by McDonnell Douglas (now part of Boeing). It was derived from the company’s three-engine ...

• Air: Defensive Systems - Radar Warning Receivers

  APR-39(V)

  The ARP-39(V) is an RWR system for combat helicopters, low-speed aircraft and fast attack craft. The system comprises two dual-video receivers, four spiral cavity-backed antennas, ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-130J Super Hercules

  The KC-130J Super Hercules is a tanker variant of the C-130J Super Hercules. It is designed to deliver fuel to several platforms, including helicopters and ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  USAF KC-135 ATS

  The KC-135 Aircrew Training System (ATS) programme delivers initial qualification, requalification, continuation and upgrades training for USAF KC-135 aircrews, including pilots, co-pilots and boom operators. ...

• Towed guns

  M-46

  The M-46 130mm field gun was developed to meet a Soviet Army artillery requirement developed in 1946 and it entered production in 1951. The M-46, ...

• Air-launched ASW torpedoes, Ship-launched torpedoes

  MK 46 Mod 5A (SW)

  The MK 46 Mod 5A (SW) is the latest model of the MK 46 family, used by 25 countries, in service with the USN and ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  KC-10A Training

  FlightSafety supports USAF Air Mobility Command with 4,000-6,000 initial, upgrade and recurrent training events each year for KC-10 pilots, boom operators and flight engineers. It ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  USMC KC-130J Training Devices

  CAE delivered a KC-130J cockpit avionics part-task trainer to MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina. The device is used for classroom training of ground maintenance personnel ...