• Naval Warfare

  DSEI 2023: Has the Royal Navy cut back its support vessel fleet too far?

  11th September 2023

  This second in Shephard’s three-part series examining the state of the UK RN analyses the fleet of support ships. These important vessels sustain naval forces at sea for long durations and at vast distances, but cuts to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary's fleet have left crucial ships retired or sold, prompting concerns for future missions.

• Digital Battlespace

  Lockheed Martin to build prototype system for US Army situational awareness programme

  29th June 2023

  Under the second phase of the US Army's Terrestrial Layer System (TLS) – Echelons Above Brigade (TLS-EAB) programme, Lockheed Martin will supply a full prototype system.

• Air Warfare

  CAE delivers first magnetic anomaly detectors for Japanese maritime patrol aircraft fleet

  2nd June 2023

  CAE has delivered the first MAD-XR magnetic anomaly detectors for installation in new P-1 maritime patrol aircraft operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

• Land Warfare

  European countries test use of mixed reality in combat vehicles

  26th July 2023

  Estonia and Croatia recently conducted trials with the Vegvisir Mixed Reality Situational Awareness System.

• Land Warfare

  US Marine Corps advances amphibious reconnaissance capabilities

  20th February 2023

  BAE Systems successfully tested Lockheed Martin Skunk Works’ Stalker and Indago sUAS on an Amphibious Combat Vehicle C4/UAS variant.

• Air Warfare

  Northrop Grumman says no to prime role on US Air Force NGAD fighter programme

  28th July 2023

  'We're not planning to respond to the NGAD request for proposal as the prime,' Northrop Grumman's CEO said, revealing the company's decision to opt out of heading up the USAF's Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) programme.

• Naval Warfare

  US and UK contract Kratos for Submarine Ballistic Missile Reentry Systems material testing

  6th June 2023

  The US and UK have contracted Kratos Southern Research Engineering Division (SRE) for thermo-mechanical, high-heat, high-sheer re-entry material testing worth up to almost $47 million.

• Naval Warfare

  Fifth Astute-class nuclear submarine sails for the first time

  21st February 2023

  HMS Anson will join the four existing Astute-class boats in operational service once sea trials are complete.

• Air Warfare

  Over 3,000 Russian drones destroyed to date, claims Ukrainian MoD

  30th May 2023

  The list of Moscow’s damaged and captured equipment released by Kyiv on 30 May includes operational and tactical UAVs.

• Training

  Canada selects SkyAlyne for multi-billion-dollar Future Aircrew Training

  31st July 2023

  The multi-billion-dollar Future Aircrew Training contract is set to span over two decades, making it one of the most significant service agreements ever awarded by Canada.

• Land Warfare

  US Army invests in range and firepower with M109 howitzers

  20th February 2023

  BAE Systems will provide hardware kits and support for its M109A7 self-propelled howitzers and M992A3 ammunition carriers to the US Army.

• Naval Warfare

  BAE cuts steel for third Dreadnought submarine

  11th February 2023

  The UK's programme to replace its nuclear deterrent submarines has taken another step forward.

• Digital Battlespace

  Insitu reveals next-generation sensor demo at US Army exercise

  4th July 2023

  Insitu Pacific showcased advanced sensors on board its Integrator UAS during the US Army's Project Convergence 2022.

• Training

  Paris Air Show: Boeing completes T-7A Red Hawk taxi tests

  20th June 2023

  The T-7A Red Hawk that underwent this testing is one of five jet trainers that will be used for flight trials this summer.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  US Army moves forward on future tactical UAS without AeroVironment

  26th May 2023

  AeroVironment has been dropped from the hunt to provide the US Army with a Future Tactical UAS (FTUAS), leaving Griffon Aerospace, Northrop Grumman, Sierra Nevada and Textron Systems in the running.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  ACV-30 PRTV (USA)

  Programme Background The Armoured Combat Vehicle (ACV) programme is intended to provide a replacement for the USMC's fleet of Amphibious Assault Vehicle 7 (AAV7) tracked ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  BvS10 [Sweden]

  Programme Background The FMV announced that it had signed a contract with BAE Systems Hägglunds for 127 BvS10 MkIIBs in May 2021. These will fulfil ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  ACV (US - USMC)

  Programme Background The Armored Combat Vehicle (ACV) programme is intended to provide a replacement for the USMC's fleet of Amphibious Assault Vehicle 7 (AAV7) tracked ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  ACV - Additional Order 1 (US - USMC)

  Programme Background The Armoured Combat Vehicle (ACV) programme is intended to provide a replacement for the USMC's fleet of Amphibious Assault Vehicle 7 (AAV7) tracked ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  ACV - Additional Order 2 (US - USMC)

  Programme Background The Armoured Combat Vehicle (ACV) programme is intended to provide a replacement for the USMC's fleet of Amphibious Assault Vehicle 7 (AAV7) tracked ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  ACV - Additional Order 3 (US - USMC)

  Programme Background The Armoured Combat Vehicle (ACV) programme is intended to provide a replacement for the USMC's fleet of Amphibious Assault Vehicle 7 (AAV7) tracked ...

• ISR/special mission

  Airborne Electonic Attack (1-2) [Italy]

  Programme Background The acquisition effort involves a Direct Commercial Sale (DCS) for the procurement and installation of modifications and a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of ...

• OPVs

  River Class Batch 2

  Programme Background BAE Systems developed an improved version at the River class Batch 1 ships (which first entered service in 2003), to be dubbed the ...

• 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 ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  CV90 [Czech Republic]

  Programme Background The Czech Republic has been working on modernising its mechanised units at least since 2017, when the country launched its "Tracked IFV" programme ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  AAV7A1 RAM/RS (Japan - 2nd Batch)

  Programme Background The Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) has procured the AAV7A1 RAM/RS to equip its Amphibious Assault Brigade formed in 2018. Tasked with ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  AMPV (USA)

  Programme Background The US Army initiated the AMPV programme to acquire a replacement for several variants of the M113 tracked APC, which has been in ...

• Trainer

  Hawk 127 Replacement (Future Lead-In Fighter Training System- Project Air 6002 PH1) [Australia]

  Programme Background Requirements The RAAF is seeking a future solution that provides a ‘relevant, adaptable, affordable and safe LIFTS out to 2050’ for training pilots ...

• Frigates

  Global Combat Ship Programme - Batch 2 - City Class (Type 26)

  Programme Background Requirements The Type 26 fleet will need the flexibility to react to current, and future challenges as they occur, such as combat scenarios, ...

• Submarines: nuclear, attack

  Astute Class (1-7) [UK]

  Programme Background The Astute-class nuclear attack submarines (SSN) are the replacement for the UK Royal Navy's Swiftsure and Trafalgar classes of SSNs. The initial contract ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: Integrated cockpit systems

  BAE Systems Avionics

  The avionics suite developed by BAE Systems, USA, is specifically designed for aircraft operating in harsh environments. The integrated suite includes caution and warning systems, ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  F-35 Training System

  BAE Systems is involved in F-35 Lightning II Training System design and sustainment, working with prime contractor Lockheed Martin. BAE Systems leads the instructional systems ...

• Air: mission management systems

  BAE Systems Mission Computers and Display Systems

  The Mission Computers and Display Systems has been designed and developed by BAE Systems, UK, for military platforms. These systems are fully qualified to military, ...

• Naval: RF, IR and acoustic decoys

  Sea Lightning

  Developed by a joint venture between BAE Systems and General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Sea Lightning is being offered to the USN for the Block ...

• Land: air defence radar

  Celldar

  BAE Systems and Roke have developed the Celldar passive radar which detects disturbances to civilian Global System for Mobile Communications digital cellphone networks operating in ...

• Naval guns

  Bofors 40 mk4

  Bofors 40 Mk4 is a naval gun system developed and produced by BAE Systems. It was originally produced by Swedish Bofors, which was acquired by ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  Fast Interceptor Craft

  The Fast Interceptor Craft (FIC) is a high-speed insertion craft developed and built by VT Halmatic, now part of BAE Systems Maritime. According to BAE ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Training Services

  Working in Saudi Arabia, BAE Systems is the prime contractor supplying training solutions. These include managing the design, development, delivery and integration of pilot and ...

• Major networking projects

  Defence Architecture Framework

  BAE Systems is developing a broad base of systems architecture expertise to execute network-centric warfare projects on behalf of the Australian Defence Force. This is ...

• Tanks

  MPF Prototype

  In 1992, the US Army selected the M8 to meet its requirement for an air-transportable Armored Gun System, but the programme was cancelled for budgetary ...

• Air: air combat simulators

  Hawk Oman Training System

  In 2014, L3 Link (now L3Harris Technologies) received a contract from BAE Systems to develop the Hawk Oman Training System (HOTS). The training system will ...

• MPVs - 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 ...

• Unguided Artillery Ammunition

  L21 High Explosive (HE)

  The L21 High Explosive (HE) is a 155mm artillery shell manufactured by BAE Systems. The British Army uses the L21 with its Archer artillery systems.

• Air: Head-up displays

  Wide-angle holographic HUD

  The wide angle holographic Head-up Display (HUD) was been developed by GEC Marconi (now BAE Systems). 

• Transport

  BAe 146M/Avro RJM

  BAE Systems is offering previously owned BAE 146 and Avro RJ aircraft to air forces operating ageing turboprop and jet airliners for transport and communications ...