• Special Operations

  SOCOM identifies future SOF C4 needs

  7th September 2017

  The Science and Technology Directorate at United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has identified technology areas of interest associated with C4. USSOCOM Science and Technology …

• Training

  Indra’s EC135 FFS certified

  15th September 2017

  Indra’s EC135 Full Flight Simulator (FFS) developed for the Spanish Army has obtained certification, the company announced on 11 September. The CS-FSTD(H) level D certification …

• Land Warfare

  DSEI 2017: Army Land Ceptor configuration unveiled

  18th September 2017

  The British Army’s new air defence system, Land Ceptor, was on display at this year's DSEI exhibition ahead of first deliveries expected in the first …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  DSEI 2017: Wave Glider makes a splash

  14th September 2017

  The latest iteration of the Liquid Robotics Wave Glider USV is now able to survive in demanding environments up to sea state six and greater, the …

• Defence Notes

  DSEI 2017: Esterline launches new hearing protection

  12th September 2017

  Defence and aerospace technology company Esterline has launched its new hearing protection headset for the first time at DSEI 2017. The headset, which is known …

• Defence Notes

  DSEI 2017: Microlease launches LEO 2 software

  11th September 2017

  Microlease has launched a new lifecycle management software – known as LEO 2 – at this year’s DSEI, which it hopes will lower overall costs …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  DSEI 2017: Robotics and autonomy to increase land capabilities

  12th September 2017

  Robots are advancing so much that it would be ‘really stupid’ if they were not used for dangerous missions such as breaching buildings in future …

• Defence Helicopter

  Lockheed Martin to build two CH-53K

  5th September 2017

  Lockheed Martin has received a Low Rate Initial Production Lot 1 contract worth $304 million from the US Naval Air Systems Command to build two …

• Digital Battlespace

  ViaLite’s RF links meet US WGS standard

  22nd August 2017

  ViaLite Communications’ RF over fibre links have been confirmed to be compliant with the US Army's Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) standards, the company announced on …

• Defence Helicopter

  Orbit expanding MPT30 to helicopters

  17th August 2017

  Orbit Communications Systems is set to expand the development of its new Multi-Purpose Terminal (MPT) for airborne SATCOM to include helicopter applications, the company announced …

• Digital Battlespace

  Final THAAD elements reach Korea

  11th September 2017

  The US Army delivered the final elements of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery to South Korea on 7 September, completing a rapid …

• Land Warfare

  DSEI 2017: UK soldier modernisation marches on

  5th September 2017

  The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) continues to advance its soldier modernisation initiatives including plans to introduce a lighter ballistic plate for dismounted troops by …

• Training

  Malaysian Army inducts simulation system

  27th August 2017

  The Malaysian Army inaugurated its Immersive Virtual Training Simulator (VIRTSIM) on 14 August at Syed Sirajuddin Camp in Gemas. Developed by Motion Reality in the US, …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  New visualisation tool for first responders

  23rd August 2017

  BMT has developed a mobile application that gives first responders rapid situational awareness of safety hazards such as chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear substances, the …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Leidos demos Pathfinder vessel

  22nd August 2017

  Leidos has demonstrated its unmanned maritime capabilities at the US Navy's Advanced Naval Technology Exercise (ANTX 2017), the company announced on 16 August. During the …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Surface-to-surface missiles, Loitering munitions

  Project Brakestop [UK]

  Programme Background Information Notice On 25 September 2024, the UK MoD published a prior information notice on Project Brakestop, which informed the industry about the upcoming ...

• Loitering munitions

  Medium Range Precision Strike (MRPS) [UK]

  Programme Background Prior Information Notice (PIN) On 21 October 2024, the MoD published a PIN in collaboration with the Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S;). The notice ...

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

  Dominator XP [Thailand]

  Programme Background Purchase As reported by Shephard, in September 2023, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) inducted three Dominator XPs. The RTAF purchased the trio ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  CH-47F Chinook (Singapore)

  Programme Background In July 2020, photos have emerged on the internet of the first Boeing CH-47F Chinook destined for the Republic of Singapore Air Force ...

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

  MQ-9B SkyGuardian (US)

  Programme Background On 6 March 2023, GA-ASI announced that the Air Force Special Operations Command (ASFOC) had contracted three MQ-9B SkyGaurdians, making it the first US customer of the ...

• Transport

  VC-25B - USAF

  The modifications to the 747-8 aircraft will include an electrical power upgrade with dual Auxiliary Power Units that are usable in flight, a mission communication ...

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

  Anka-S (Second Batch) [Turkey]

  Programme Background First Batch Based on comments by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and Turkish media in 2018, Shephard believes that Türkiye acquired 26 Anka-S drones ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | SSN(X) Programme [USN]

  The US Navy may be far from reaching the end of procuring the current Virginia-class nuclear attack submarines (SSNs), but that does not mean planning for ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | SSN(X) Programme [USN]

  The US Navy may be far from reaching the end of procuring the current Virginia-class nuclear attack submarines (SSNs), but that does not mean planning for ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  New Water Jet Fast Attack Craft (NWJFAC) (India)

  Programme Background Requirements The Indian Navy is seeking replacements for a large proportion of its 19 46-49m-long waterjet-powered fast attack craft, several of which are approaching ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  Mi-28NE Night Hunter

  Algerian military's follow-up order suggests that the country is satisfied with the Mi-28NE Night Hunters' performance in operational conditions in the desert environment featuring sandstorms ...

• 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 ...

• Loitering munitions

  ZT-180 [Russia]

  Programme Background Claims On 23 February 2023, DER SPIEGEL reported that, according to information it had gathered, China and Russia were negotiating the purchase of 100 ZT-180 ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  HH-60W - Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH)

  According to the FY2021 Base funding, the HH-60W helicopter unit cost is $43.2 million. The HH-60W will be capable of employment day or night, in ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  Joint Tactical Autonomous Aerial Resupply System (JTAARS) / Medium ULS-A [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

• Air: surveillance and maritime patrol radar

  AN/APQ-181

  The AN/APQ-181 is a low-probability-of-intercept radar fitted to USAF Northrop Grumman B-2 stealth bombers. During the B-2 Radar Modernization Program – completed in 2012 – the ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  CreoLand HP

  CreoLand HP is a 10W MANET radio designed for command centres, long-range applications, artillery and special forces units. Notably, it offers a data throughput of 100Mbps ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  H10 Poseidon

  The H10 Poseidon is a fixed-wing VTOL-capable UAV manufactured by Swamrly. Due to the UAV's electric propulsion system, small-radar cross-section, lack of detachable thermal signature and ability to operate ...

• Air: UAS radar

  ANKA SATCOM Radome

  The ANKA SATCOM Radome is a structural component developed by the Turkish defence manufacturer Meteksan Savunma Sanayi. It is designed for the protection of Ku-band ...

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

  Khronos

  The Khronos is a tethered, fully automated UAV for ISR missions in GPS/GNSS-denied and RF-denied environments. The drone's manufacturer, Elistair, stated that it could be deployed from a ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  DT-101

  The DT-101 is a small fixed-wing UAV from Deftech. The VTOL-capable platform features SATCOM with up to 10Mbs bandwidth capability. DefTech lists various payloads for ...

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

  ARX

  Unveiled at Xponential 2024, the ARX is a fixed-wing drone developed by Tekever.  It features common electronics and software with other Tekever drones. Unlike those ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  DT-001

  The DT-001 is a tandem wing UCAV from Deftech. It can host a range of non-offensive payloads, such as IO/EO cameras and an airborne LIDAR. ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini

  Spider VTOL

  The Spider VTOL is a mini electrical fixed-wing UAV. Unlike traditional VTOL UAVs with dedicated motors, propellors and structural parts for performing take-off and landing, the Spider ...

• Data links

  MAQA Terminal 3.8m Flyaway Variant

  The Modular Aperture Quad-Band Antenna (MAQA) Terminal is designed to provide a ruggedised, mobile, quad-band SATCOM terminal that supports operations with the WGS constellation, legacy ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  AN/VRC-118(V)1

  The AN/VRC-118(V)1 is a Mid-tier Networking Vehicular Radio (MNVR) which provides warfighters with the ability to share situational awareness. The MNVR utilises two joint tactical ...

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

  BLADE-55

  The Ballistic Loitering Attack Drone (BLADE, or BLADE-55) is a multi-role, weaponised rotary-wing UAV from Alare Technologies.  The drone can notably host two NAMMO M72 LAW weapons. Additionally, the ...

• Loitering munitions, Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  Disruptor

  Publically unveiled at AUSA 2024, the Disruptor is a loitering munition and UAV manufactured by AEVEX Aerospace. The Group III aircraft utilises a pneumatic launcher or Rocket Assisted ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  AN/ARC-231 Skyfire

  The AN/ARC-231 Skyfire is an airborne VHF/UHF/LOS and DAMA SATCOM system. This system supports US DoD requirements for airborne, multi-band, multi-mission, secure anti-jam voice, data ...

• 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 ...