• Defence Notes

  How the Pentagon will use private capital to fund critical capabilities

  23rd March 2023

  The DoD has changed its structures and is been increasing efforts to facilitate access to loans by companies interested in working with artificial intelligence, advanced materials and semiconductors, biotechnology and quantum science.

• Air Warfare

  India redoubles efforts to make up fighter squadron shortfall

  28th February 2023

  Mindful of the need to defend its border with China, India is evaluating how to overcome a shortfall of 12 fighter aircraft squadrons over the next decade.

• Training

  US Air Force AI-powered F-16 training jet takes the skies

  16th February 2023

  The reengineered artificial intelligence-driven, autonomous F-16 jet is fitted with an open system architecture and software that allows it to mimic the performance characteristic of other aircraft.

• Air Warfare

  Brazil becomes first 4th gen plus jet operator in South America

  21st December 2022

  Brazil became the first South American country to operate a fourth-generation-plus advanced combat jet by inaugurating its first Gripens.

• Air Warfare

  Boeing slashes number of defence business units after heavy losses

  18th November 2022

  After reporting significant losses and delays on major programmes, Boeing has announced the consolidation of its defence divisions.

• Naval Warfare

  Belgian-Dutch ASWF frigate nears contract award

  23rd January 2023

  The joint programme will see the Belgian and Dutch navies receive two new frigates each.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  France progresses naval drone efforts with latest VSR700 testing

  31st January 2023

  The programme's next phase will see the Airbus VTOL drone operating from a French Navy frigate.

• Land Warfare

  How the US Army is applying lessons learned from the Ukraine war

  6th March 2023

  The conflict in Ukraine has been heavily impacting ground warfare planning and leading the US Army in some new directions.

• Training

  Textron to develop new US Navy training aircraft

  1st February 2023

  The new T-54A Multi-Engine Training System turboprops will replace the ageing fleet of T-44 Pegasus (King Air 90) aircraft and provide students with advanced instrument and asymmetric engine handling training.

• Air Warfare

  More E-2D Hawkeye aircraft arrive in Japan

  23rd November 2022

  The US is continuing deliveries of E-2D Hawkeyes and KC-46A tankers to Japan.

• Defence Notes

  China cannot bring peace in Ukraine, Monsieur Macron! (Opinion)

  12th April 2023

  The French president has dangerously aligned himself with Chinese talking points, and seems willing to leave Taiwan to its own fate, according to his recent visit to China.

• Air Warfare

  Myanmar Air Force bolsters fleet with the commission of new aircraft

  10th January 2023

  As part of its 75th anniversary, the Myanmar Air Force showed off a variety of new types of aircraft and helicopters.

• Air Warfare

  Taiwan receives AGM-88 missiles to take on Chinese air defences

  5th January 2023

  The delivery of AGM-88 anti-radiation missiles provides Taiwan’s fighter fleet with a suppression/destruction of enemy air defences (SEAD/DEAD) capability for the first time.

• Air Warfare

  The 5 most significant air stories of 2022

  30th December 2022

  Several key developments emerged in the air domain in 2022, with major announcement coming toward the end of the year - we collected the five most significant ones.

• Digital Battlespace

  Northrop Grumman IBCS air and missile defence system complete key test phase

  11th November 2022

  Northrop Grumman's IBCS missile and air defence system for the US Army has completed its Initial Operational Test and Evaluation at White Sands Missile Range.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• AEW&C

  E-7 Wedgetail - UK (Second Order)

  Programme Background Seeking to replace its six ageing Boeing E-3 Sentry AEW&C;, the British Royal Air Force awarded Boeing a £1.89 billion contract in 2019 ...

• AEW&C

  E-7 Wedgetail (737) - UK

  Programme Background Seeking to replace its six ageing Boeing E-3 Sentry AEW&C;, the British Royal Air Force awarded Boeing a £1.89 billion contract in 2019 covering the ...

• AEW&C

  E-7A Wedgetail (1-2) [USA]

  Programme Background Shephard notes that this entry covers the two rapid-prototype E-7 aircraft, whose contract was signed in August 2024. A second programme entry covers the ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | E-7 Wedgetail - UK (Second Order)

  The UK MoD signed a £1.51 billion ($1.98 billion) deal to purchase five E-7 Wedgetail aircraft from Boeing for the Royal Air Force (RAF) in ...

• Data links

  Data links | E-7 Wedgetail - UK (Second Order)

  The UK MoD signed a £1.51 billion ($1.98 billion) deal to purchase five E-7 Wedgetail aircraft from Boeing for the Royal Air Force (RAF) in ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | E-7 Wedgetail - UK (Second Order)

  The UK MoD signed a £1.51 billion ($1.98 billion) deal to purchase five E-7 Wedgetail aircraft from Boeing for the Royal Air Force (RAF) in ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | E-7 Wedgetail - UK (Second Order)

  The UK MoD signed a £1.51 billion ($1.98 billion) deal to purchase five E-7 Wedgetail aircraft from Boeing for the Royal Air Force (RAF) in ...

• AEW&C

  E-7A Wedgetail (USA - Forecast)

  Programme Background Speaking on 21 September 2021 during the annual Air Force Association (AFA) Meeting in Washington DC, USAF Chief of Staff Gen Charles Brown ...

• Fighter - multirole

  JAS 39E/F Gripen (Brazil)

  In 2016, Gripen’s Project and Development Center was opened in Sao Paulo to allow Sweedish and Brazillian engineers to work together in the Gripen development ...

• Data links

  Data links | E-6 TACAMO Recapitalisation Programme (E-XX) [USN]

  The TACAMO Recapitalisation Programme (E-XX) will replace the ageing E-6B Mercury and transition the US Airborne Strategic NC3 capability between aircraft. E-XX mission equipment will ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | E-6 TACAMO Recapitalisation Programme (E-XX) [USN]

  The TACAMO Recapitalisation Programme (E-XX) will replace the ageing E-6B Mercury and transition the US Airborne Strategic NC3 capability between aircraft. E-XX mission equipment will ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | E-6 TACAMO Recapitalisation Programme (E-XX) [USN]

  The TACAMO Recapitalisation Programme (E-XX) will replace the ageing E-6B Mercury and transition the US Airborne Strategic NC3 capability between aircraft. E-XX mission equipment will ...

• AEW&C

  E-2D - Japan

  Programme Background Quantity Required The JASDF is taking delivery of 13 E-2D aircraft. Programme Value The total procurement cost for 13 E-2D aircraft is calculated ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | E-7A Wedgetail (1-2) [USA]

  The USAF is interested in a near-term procurement of the Airborne Moving Target Indicator (AMTI) radar-equipped Boeing E-7A Wedgetail as an interim measure between the retirement ...

• Data links

  Data links | E-7A Wedgetail (1-2) [USA]

  The USAF is interested in a near-term procurement of the Airborne Moving Target Indicator (AMTI) radar-equipped Boeing E-7A Wedgetail as an interim measure between the retirement ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Fixed wing aircraft engines

  T56-A-15

  The T56-A-15, a member of the T56 family of engines, powers C-130B/E/H and E-2 military aircraft. Other military versions of engines from the T56 family ...

• Air: AEW/fire control radar, Air: surveillance radar

  AN/APS-138

  The AN/APS-138 can perform airborne and surface surveillance. The UHF radars use pulse compression to enhance resolution and suppress clutter. With a range of more ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  E-7 Wedgetail Mission Simulator

  E-7 Wedgetail Mission Simulator was developed by Havelsan to meet the requirements of Turkey's Peace Eagle Airborne Early Warning and Control programme. The Mission Simulator ...

• ISR/special mission

  E-4B Nightwatch

  Developed by Boeing based on the 747-200 airliner, the E-4B Nightwatch is a special mission aircraft used as the US National Airborne Operations Centre and is ...

• AEW&C

  737 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C)

  The Boeing 737 AEW&C; is based on Boeing’s 737-700 commercial aeroplane. It is used for airspace surveillance and battle management. Three countries operate it: Australia ...

• Land: vehicle surveillance/target acquisition systems

  Savan 15

  Savan 15 is an FCS for tanks and other AFVs designed to provide fire-on-the-move capability. The system includes a day/night gunner’s sight; fire-control computer; gun ...

• ISR/special mission

  E-8C Joint STARS

  The E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (STARS) is an ISR aircraft based on the 707-300 airliner. It is fitted with an 8-meter-long, canoe-shaped radome ...

• Air: Defensive Systems - MLDS

  Elix-IR

  Thales’ Elix-IR is a Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS). It uses infrared sensors to detect the hot exhaust plumes of incoming air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles. ...

• AEW&C

  E-3 Sentry

  The E-3 Sentry, also known as AWACS, is an AEW&C; aircraft developed by Boeing based on the 707-320B airliner. It is powered by four Pratt & ...

• AEW&C

  Global 6500 AEW&C

  Developed by L3Harris Technologies and Israel Aerospace Industries’ ELTA Systems Group (ELTA), the Global 6500 AEW&C; consists of a conformal airborne early warning (CAEW) mission ...

• Ship-launched torpedoes, Submarine-launched torpedoes

  VA-111/Shkval

  Shkval is a a supercaptivation torpedo launched originally in 1977 by the Soviet Union. Today, it is deployed by the Russian Navy and produced by ...

• Land: handheld NV devices

  Sophie LITE

  The Sophie LITE is a handheld, integrated multifunction system that allows the user to detect, recognise, identify and locate targets. It can be used standalone ...

• Air: AEW/fire control radar, Air: surveillance radar

  AN/APY-1/2

  The S-band AN/APY-1 radar is installed in a large rotodome above the fuselage of the Boeing KE-3A/E-3A/B Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft ...

• OPVs

  Cape Roger Class

  The Cape Roger class features two offshore patrol vessels (OPV) in service with the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG). Built by Ferguson Industries Ltd. the first ship ...

• Air: chaff, flare and decoy systems

  AN/ALE-47A(V)

  The ALE-47A(V) incorporates new technology to update the standard ALE-47 family. It uses information from EW sensors such as RWR and MWS to determine the ...