• Air Warfare

  Boeing joins Airbus team in bid for UK New Medium Helicopter

  6th March 2023

  Boeing has teamed up with the Airbus-led H175M Task Force in the $1.15bn New Medium Helicopter programme bid to replace the UK armed forces' ageing Puma fleet from 2025.

• Air Warfare

  BAE Systems FalconWorks air R&D division takes flight

  11th July 2023

  BAE Systems FalconWorks division's ambitious mission is to shape the future of aviation by pushing boundaries and delivering groundbreaking solutions for the UK and international customers.

• Land Warfare

  US approves HIMARS sale to Morocco, allowing deep strikes against potential threats

  13th April 2023

  Morocco's ambitions to strengthen border security and the capability to detect and neutralise potential threats could soon come to fruition with a $524 million HIMARS, missile and guided rocket purchase from the US.

• 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.

• Training

  Boeing partners with Shield AI on autonomous pilot programme

  17th March 2023

  The agreement between Boeing and Shield AI will explore autonomous systems implemented into existing and future aircraft.

• Naval Warfare

  Anadolu showcases Turkiye's indigenous endeavours, but will its drone carrier concept take off?

  20th April 2023

  In April, Turkey commissioned TCG Anadolu, the country's future drone-carrying amphibious assault ship, highlighting the capabilities of its indigenous defence industry.

• Digital Battlespace

  Lockheed Martin satellite with military potential rolls out for 2023 maiden launch

  1st February 2023

  The low-cost LM 400 satellite bus is customisable for multiple applications and supports the Pentagon's Modular Open Systems Architecture for defence missions.

• Air Warfare

  F-16 fighter jet backlog will increase before production rate can improve

  30th January 2023

  Lockheed Martin is facing a backlog of F-16 aircraft that is set to increase as the list of countries that want the jet grows. However, the company is convinced it can increase production rates significantly throughout 2023.

• Land Warfare

  Counter-drone solutions from East and West proliferate at IDEX 2023

  27th February 2023

  There was no shortage of UAVs on display at IDEX 2023 in Abu Dhabi, and many companies brought their counter-drone systems too.

• Air Warfare

  General Atomics sole awardee for second phase of DARPA’s LongShot UAV project

  7th March 2023

  Under LongShot, DARPA aims to increase the standoff range at which fighters can launch air-to-air weapons with an air-released UAV.

• Air Warfare

  Turkey considers ditching F-16 Block 70 request in favour of non-US alternative

  16th March 2023

  Turkish officials are signalling dissatisfaction and contemplating abandoning plans to purchase F-16 Block 70s from the US as the deal stalemates, and the country faces hard economic decisions.

• Air Warfare

  Indonesian light transport progamme stalls, while fighter plans make slow progress

  27th February 2023

  Indonesia's transport and fast jet air force modernisation efforts continue to proceed at a slow pace.

• Air Warfare

  Bell makes move on FLRAA test lab construction despite ongoing Defiant protest

  27th March 2023

  Bell Textron began laying the foundations for a new testing facility for its V-280 Valor helicopter despite protest over its US Army Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) contract win.

• Air Warfare

  HAWC missile completes flight trials as focus turns to maturing hypersonic technology

  31st January 2023

  Completion of HAWC flight testing means the US has two viable hypersonic missile designs that can be matured into future programmes of record.

• Training

  Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023 was all about countering China (Opinion)

  16th August 2023

  The recently concluded Talisman Sabre exercise in Australia, the largest ever in the series, was conducted with the threat of an aggressive China and PLA uppermost in mind.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16V Block 70 (Bahrain)

  Programme Background In 2018, the US government awarded a $1.12 billion contract to Lockheed Martin to produce 16 F-16 Block 70 aircraft for Bahrain, which ...

• Frigates

  Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)

  Programme Background The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) programme was developed in 2003 as a cheap and fast way to increase the size of the fleet ...

• Destroyers

  Canadian Surface Combatant/River Class [Canada]

  Development and Procurement Requirements Fifteen frigates are being procured to replace the Royal Canadian Navy's 12 ageing Halifax-class frigates and the now-retired Iroquois-class destroyers with ...

• Frigates

  Multi-Mission Surface Combatant (MMSC) [Saudi Arabia]

  Programme Background The US State Department approved a possible $11.25 billion Foreign Military Sale to the KSA for MMCS ships and associated equipment, parts and ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | C-130J (1-2) [Egypt]

  In September 2024, Egypt confirmed the order of two C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft from Lockheed Martin. The announcement follows the US State Department's approval of ...

• Data links

  Data links | C-130J (1-2) [Egypt]

  In September 2024, Egypt confirmed the order of two C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft from Lockheed Martin. The announcement follows the US State Department's approval of ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | C-130J (1-2) [Egypt]

  In September 2024, Egypt confirmed the order of two C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft from Lockheed Martin. The announcement follows the US State Department's approval of ...

• Military helicopters - maritime

  MH-60R Seahawk (India)

  Programme Background On 25 February 2020, a letter of acceptance for 24 MH-60Rs, worth approximately $2.12 billion, was signed by India and the US in Delhi. ...

• Maritime patrol

  Maritime Airborne Warfare System (MAWS) [Germany]

  Programme Background In 2017, Germany and France announced that they would be developing an MPA to replace their current fleets in service. The MAWS programme ...

• 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 ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Submarines Procurement Programme [Saudi Arabia]

  The Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) is in the process of a fleet transformation plan which, so far, has seen the procurement of corvettes from ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Submarines Procurement Programme [Saudi Arabia]

  The Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) is in the process of a fleet transformation plan which, so far, has seen the procurement of corvettes from ...

• Transport

  C-130J - USAF

  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 ...

• Fighter - multirole

  MRCA - Multi Role Combat Aircraft (Fighter)

  Launched years ago, the Medium Multirole Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) programme is notorious internationally of the serpentine nature of Indian military procurements. Under the MMRCA, the ...

• Fighter - multirole, Trainer

  MRCA - Multi Role Combat Aircraft (Trainer)

  Launched years ago, the Medium Multirole Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) programme is notorious internationally of the serpentine nature of Indian military procurements. Under the MMRCA, the ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Land: battlefield and ground surveillance radar

  AN/TPQ-53

  The AN/TPQ-53 counterfire target acquisition radar can track incoming rounds at a range of 60km when using its 90° search mode or at 20km range ...

• Fighter - air superiority

  F-22A Raptor

  F-22A Raptor is a fifth-generation stealth air superiority fighter with air-to-ground attack capability. It was developed by Lockheed Martin to meet the requirement of the USAF ...

• Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Indago 3/4

  The Indago 3 and Indago 4 are rotary-wing UAVs manufactured by Lockheed Martin. Ruggedised, backpackable, and rapidly deployable, the Indago system fits within a small backpack and ...

• Military UGVs

  AMAS

  The Autonomous Mobility Appliqué System (AMAS) is a multi-platform kit designed to integrate low-cost sensors and control systems onto US Army and USMC tactical vehicles ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  CMS 330

  Lockheed Martin Canada's CMS 330 is a combat management system designed as a modern, affordable solution for mid-life upgrades in particular. Initially developed for the ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  Singapore BWC

  The Singapore Basic Wings Course (BWC) is a 20-year service contract awarded to Lockheed Martin in November 2006 to provide the Republic of Singapore Air ...

• Air: mission management systems

  ABCCC III

  The Airborne Battlefield Command and Control Centre (ABCCC) is a capsulised, integrated battle management and communications system that is installed in USAF EC-130E Hercules aircraft ...

• Sea: naval surveillance radar

  AN/SPY-7(V)1

  The AN/SPY-7(V)1 is a Solid State Radar (LM SSR) developed and produced by Lockheed Martin. The system will be fully integrated onboard the Royal Canadian Navy's future Surface ...

• Sea: sonar systems

  TB-37/U MFTA / AN/SQR-20

  The TB-37/U, also known as the AN/SQR-20, is a Multi-Function Towed Array (MFTA) developed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin. The sonar has both active and ...

• Air: Integrated Defensive Systems

  Falcon Edge/IEWS

  Northrop Grumman’s Falcon Edge Integrated Self-Protection System (ISPS) equips the United Arab Emirates Air Force’s (UAEAF) Lockheed Martin F-16E/F Block-60 fighters. 

• Anti-ship missiles

  AGM-158C LRASM

  The Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) is a precision-guided, anti-ship standoff missile based on the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range. It is intended to meet the requirements ...

• Artillery rockets

  GMLRS

  The Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) is an extended-range guided version of the MLRS.  GMLRS rockets are surface-to-surface artillery rockets fired from the Multiple ...

• Air: COMINT and ELINT systems

  AN/ALQ-217

  Lockheed Martin’s AN/ALQ-217 is an Electronic Support Measure (ESM) designed to equip large, fixed-wing aircraft. Although not mentioned in the company’s official literature, it is ...

• Land: C2 simulators

  JLCCTC

  The Joint Land Component Constructive Training Capability (JLCCTC) integrates seven command and battle staff training tools into a simulation-based system. JLCCTC will support US Army, ...

• EO/IR systems

  IRST

  IRST is a passive, long-range IR search and track (IRST) sensor system that detects and tracks airborne threats in electronic attack and heavy countermeasure environments. ...