• Training

  I/ITSEC 2023: Guardiaris unveils the new generation of its Small Arms Mobile Trainer

  1st December 2023

  SAMT, a laserless, plug-and-play mobile system, can incorporate small arms, anti-tank weapons, military vehicles and remote weapon stations.

• Air Warfare

  Romania boosts airlift capability with arrival of US C-130H-2 Hercules

  4th October 2023

  The strategic acquisition of C-130H Hercules represents a significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration between the US and Romania under the Foreign Military Sales programme.

• Training

  Australia deploys F-35s as part of Indonesian military exercise

  10th October 2023

  The deployment involved planning and executing air combat exercise missions, including offensive and defensive counter-air missions, basic fighter manoeuvres, and air-to-air refuelling with a Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircrat.

• Air Warfare

  Airbus, Singapore conducts F-15 refuelling with A330

  12th October 2023

  Over the course of a three-week test campaign, a Republic of Singapore Air Force A330 tanker made more than 500 automated wet and dry contacts with the air force’s full fleet of receiver aircraft, including F-15s and F-16s.

• Air Warfare

  Philippines moves forward with C-130J Super Hercules purchase

  19th October 2023

  The Philippine Government has approved the purchase of three Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Super Hercules military transport aircraft, marking a reduction from the originally planned acquisition of five aircraft.

• Air Warfare

  Australia decides to expunge entire MRH90 helicopter fleet

  2nd October 2023

  Australia has decided to withdraw its MRH90 helicopter fleet, even though the aircraft had another 14 years of life left in them.

• Training

  Australian Army selects Operator XR for virtual reality tactical training

  8th August 2023

  Virtual reality (VR) training systems provider Operator XR has sold its OP-1 Tactical Rehearsal System to the Australian DoD, the company announced on 7 August.

• Air Warfare

  Canada to quadruple aerial tanker fleet with nine CC-330 Husky multi-role aircraft

  26th July 2023

  The significant expansion of strategic air-to-air refuelling capability is set to strengthen the Canadian Armed Forces' operational reach and enhance its ability to support more missions, with specific focus on the High North.

• Training

  US Air Force awards option 5 on T-1A trainer upgrade contract

  7th August 2023

  The USAF has awarded the next option on a T-1A Jayhawk upgrade contract to aircraft modification and support service provider Field Aerospace.

• Defence Helicopter

  US approves AH-64 Apache attack helicopters for Poland

  23rd August 2023

  Poland is poised to enhance its military might through acquiring AH-64 Apache attack helicopters from the US.

• Air Warfare

  Chinese air power – analysing the bigger picture

  14th September 2023

  Admitted by the US to be a ‘pacing threat’, the development of Chinese air power will continue to be a core measure of Beijing’s military capability.

• Air Warfare

  First C-40A transport aircraft arrive for US Marine Corps

  30th May 2023

  The second US Marine Corps C-40A aircraft is scheduled for delivery in early autumn 2023.

• Air Warfare

  How the US Air Force is improving C2 and connectivity in contested logistics scenarios

  9th August 2023

  Preparing multi-capable airmen to perform various tasks in multiple contexts is a main USAF goal to improve logistics efforts.

• Air Warfare

  Argentina boosts Antarctic airlift with lease of C-130

  8th June 2023

  Argentina has opted to lease a seventh C-130 transport aircraft under the US Foreign Military Sales mechanism.

• Air Warfare

  Insight: How the P-8 Poseidon has conquered the maritime patrol aircraft market

  6th September 2023

  Shephard Defence Insight analyses the success story of the Boeing P-8 Poseidon, a multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft that has captured international interest, detailing its variants, operators and unit cost.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  C-37A - USAF

  Programme Background The USAF was using C-20B transport aircraft, variant of civilian Gulfstream III, to provide worldwide airlift for DoD and government officials. With the ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | Strategic Airlift Capability [Ireland]

  A newly released report from the Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF) has called on the Irish government to invest in the acquisition of two ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Strategic Airlift Capability [Ireland]

  A newly released report from the Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF) has called on the Irish government to invest in the acquisition of two ...

• Data links

  Data links | Strategic Airlift Capability [Ireland]

  A newly released report from the Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF) has called on the Irish government to invest in the acquisition of two ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | C-130 Replacement [South Africa]

  The South African Air Force (SAAF) is actively exploring options to replace its ageing fleet of Lockheed Martin C-130BZ Hercules transport aircraft, which have been ...

• Data links

  Data links | C-130 Replacement [South Africa]

  The South African Air Force (SAAF) is actively exploring options to replace its ageing fleet of Lockheed Martin C-130BZ Hercules transport aircraft, which have been ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | C-130 Replacement [South Africa]

  The South African Air Force (SAAF) is actively exploring options to replace its ageing fleet of Lockheed Martin C-130BZ Hercules transport aircraft, which have been ...

• Military helicopters - scout/light attack

  Bell 407GX

  The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency noted that the proposed sale of five Bell 407GX helicopters will help compensate for the combat loss of seven IA407 helicopters ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  CH-47F (Australia)

  Programme Background The government of Australia has requested to buy four CH-47F cargo helicopters with unique modifications: eight T55-GA-714A aircraft turbine engines, five AN/AAR-57 common ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  UH-1Y Romania

  The Romanian MoD has a long-standing requirement for new rotary platforms, including troop transport, supply and attack configurations. According to the the Romanian Military Strategy document published ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | New Transport Aircraft [Czech Republic]

  The Czech Republic is looking to enhance its military airlift capability, and in June 2022, the Czech minister of defence attended a flight demonstration of ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | New Transport Aircraft [Czech Republic]

  The Czech Republic is looking to enhance its military airlift capability, and in June 2022, the Czech minister of defence attended a flight demonstration of ...

• Data links

  Data links | New Transport Aircraft [Czech Republic]

  The Czech Republic is looking to enhance its military airlift capability, and in June 2022, the Czech minister of defence attended a flight demonstration of ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  C-32 Executive Transport Recapitalization - USAF

  Programme Background The USAF is operating four C-32As, derived from Boeing 757-200 extended range aircraft, from 1st Airlift Squadron, 89th Airlift Wing at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. The ...

• Transport

  C-27J [Azerbaijan]

  Programme Background The Azerbaijani Air Force signed a contract with Leonardo in June 2023 to procure the C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft. This move is ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Transport

  C-37A/B

  The C-37B is the most recent Gulfstream business jet adopted for US military service and follows on from the C-37A, a military version of the ...

• EW test systems

  UV Baringa 5.5

  Developed as a confidence flight-line test set and SIL tool for stimulating UV MWS, UV Baringa 5.5 is compatible with AAR-47, AAR-54, AAR-57, AAR-60 and ...

• Air: Defensive Systems - Laser Warning Receivers

  AN/AAR-59 JATAS

  Orbital ATK (now Northrop Grumman) developed the AN/AAR-59 Joint and Allied Threat Awareness System (JATAS) to provide protection for aircraft against incoming threats typically surface-to-air ...

• Air: Defensive Systems - MLDS

  AN/AAR-54(V)

  Northrop Grumman’s AN/AAR-54(V) is a Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS) designed for fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft. The MAWS employs ultraviolet sensing to detect the hot ...

• Air: Defensive Systems - MLDS

  AN/AAR-60 MILDS

  Hensoldt’s AN/AAR-60 is a Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS) using ultraviolet optronics to detect and track the hot exhaust plume of incoming surface-to-air and air-to-air ...

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

  AN/AAR-47A(V)2

  The AN/AAR-47A(V)2 Missile and Laser Warning System (MWS) is an EW aircraft survivability system designed to protect low- and slow-flying fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft against ...

• EW test systems

  UV LED Mallina – 180

  A long-range missile plume simulator for T&E;, pilot training and doctrine/tactics analysis for UV MWS. UV LED Mallina is compatible with AAR-47, AAR-54, AAR-57 CMWS, ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  RAAF Airlift Programme

  The RAAF Airlift Programme required CAE to design, develop and manufacture three full-flight simulators, one each for the C-130J, C-130H and Boeing 707. The 707 ...

• Land: tactical engagement simulators

  CATS EXCON MOUT

  CATS EXCON MOUT collects and evaluates data from instrumented exercises inside buildings. All incoming data from movement, battle and tactical radio is recorded for AAR. ...

• EW test systems

  ACT

  The Aviation Crew Trainer (ACT) trains aircrew to defeat MANPADS in engagement scenarios by stimulating MWS. An optional RF unit provides stimulation capability for RWRs. ...

• Land: vehicle simulators

  Virtual Training

  RUAG’s virtual simulation units provide training for commanders, gunners and/or vehicle drivers. The configuration of the units is flexible. They allow individual as well as ...

• 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 ...

• ISR/special mission, Maritime patrol

  A320neo M3A

  Currently under development by Airbus, the A320 M3A is the Maritime Patrol version of the civilian A320neo aircraft. The aircraft can be fitted with a wide ...

• Land: tactical engagement simulators

  AAR Tool

  Saab's After Action Review (AAR) Tool is used for downloading, visualising, analysing and presenting exercises, facts and results. The data can be manually or automatically ...

• Air: chaff, flare and decoy systems

  PIDS

  The Pylon Integrated Dispenser Station (PIDS) system takes the form of a Lockheed Martin F-16 wing weapon pylon that, in baseline form (designated as the ...