• Land Warfare

  Colombia’s new recon and patrol vehicles

  19th January 2016

  A new light strike vehicle, the VRC Cobra, designed by Colombian National Army engineers, was launched at the Expodefensa 2015. The 4x4 off-road reconnaissance combat …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2015: Inside the V-280 simulator (video)

  4th December 2015

  During this year's I/ITSEC show in Orlando, Shephard was given special access to Tru Simulation + Training's V-280 Valor technology demonstrator, which is being developed …

• Digital Battlespace

  Model 527 radar signal simulator for KC-46

  1st December 2015

  Textron Systems Electronic Systems’ Model 527 has been selected as the Radar Signal Simulator for the KC-46 aircraft, Textron announced on 30 November.  The Model …

• Defence Helicopter

  Argentina requests US helicopters

  20th November 2015

  The US State Department has approved a potential foreign military sale (FMS) to Argentina for Bell 412EP helicopters and associated equipment, the Defense Security Cooperation …

• Land Warfare

  Dubai 2015: SCTV launches in 2016

  12th November 2015

  Textron Systems Marine and Land Systems is looking launch its Survivable Combat Tactical Vehicle (SCVT), possibly as early as 2016. There are plans for Ukraine and …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Aerosonde sees fee-for-service growth

  29th October 2015

  Textron Systems Unmanned Systems is performing 4,000 hours of fee-for-service operations with the Aerosonde UAS each month, it has been revealed. The OEM is currently …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Unmanned systems head for the fire

  27th October 2015

  The US Department of the Interior (DoI) and US Forest Service are continuing to explore the use of unmanned systems during fire-fighting operations, with further …

• Defence Helicopter

  Bell expands Mexican footprint

  26th October 2015

  Bell Helicopter has opened a new sales office in Mexico City, the company announced on 23 October.  The new office will support local and regional …

• Land Warfare

  AUSA 2015: Textron lines up HMMWV upgrades

  12th October 2015

  With more than 200,000 HMMWV vehicles in-use by militaries across the world, there is a significant market for upgrade packages. Textron Marine and Land Systems …

• Training

  Textron support Afghan training

  7th October 2015

  The US Army has awarded Textron Systems Marine & Land Systems an Interim Contractor Training Support (ICTS) contract to provide next-level training to the Afghan …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Aerosonde UAS supports wildfire effort

  5th October 2015

  Textron Systems Unmanned Systems has provided Aerosonde Small Unmanned Aircraft System (SUAS) to the US Department of Interior and US Forest Service to support a …

• Land Warfare

  Commando select for Afghanistan

  30th September 2015

  The US Army has awarded a contract to Textron Marine & Land Systems for the supply of 55 additional Commando Select four-wheeled armoured vehicles to …

• Military Logistics

  SSC engines make the grade

  28th September 2015

  Engines destined for the new US Navy Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC) hovercraft are close to achieving formal certification ahead of customer delivery, according to manufacturer Rolls …

• Defence Helicopter

  Analysis: Sikorsky purchase great gain for Lockheed Martin

  21st July 2015

  While the purchase of Sikorsky by Lockheed Martin places the company on a good long-term footing, it is unlikely that other OEMs will be ‘losing …

• Naval Warfare

  MPA options pitch up at RIAT

  16th July 2015

  As final preparations for the Royal International Air Tattoo are made, the aerospace industry’s heavy hitters are lining up with MPA and MSA alternatives to …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - tactical

  Nightwarden (Qatar)

  Programme Background The Qatar MoD has established the Surveillance and Reconnaissance Center to carry out ISR missions for the Qatar Armed Forces. Among its roles ...

• Trainer

  Beechcraft King Air 260 [Canada]

  Programme Background  The Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) programme was developed by the Royal Canadian Airforce to renew aircrew training services to help maintain a multi-purpose and ...

• Military UAS - small

  Aerosonde (Qatar)

  Programme Background The Qatar MoD has established the Surveillance and Reconnaissance Center to carry out ISR missions for the Qatar Armed Forces. Among its roles ...

• Trainer

  T-6 Texan II [Japan]

  Programme Background  In January 2025, Textron Aviation confirmed that the T-6C Texan II was selected as the new trainer aircraft for the Japanese Air Self-Defence ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  T-6C (Tunisia)

  Programme Background Requirement The Tunisian Air Force has a requirement for light aircraft in order to replace its ageing SF-206 and L-59T trainers. The country ...

• Landing craft and hovercraft

  LCAC 100 Class (SSC) [USN]

  Programme Background Timeline The major role of the SSC will be deployment from landing ships in support of USN and USMC operations and the transport ...

• Trainer

  Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS)/T-45 Replacement [USN]

  Programme Background Requirements The US Navy’s (USN) Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) programme is intended to replace the troubled T-45 Goshhawk trainer. The June 2024 RFI includes ...

• MPVs - 4x4, Reconnaissance/patrol vehicles

  Iraq Federal Police 4x4 Patrol Vehicle

  The failure of this Iraqi Federal Police requirement for an additional 300 vehicles to translate into a contract may be related to issues encountered with ...

• Military helicopters - light/training

  Bell 505 (Jordan)

  Programme Background Requirement The Jordanian Air Force has a requirement for training helicopters that are to be used in the King Hussein Air College. The country ...

• Military helicopters - light/training

  Bell 505 (South Korea - Army)

  Programme Background Requirement South Korea operates an ageing fleet of Bell UH-1s and MD 500s for training purposes. The country has already replaced a part of ...

• Military helicopters - light/training

  Bell 505 (South Korea - Navy)

  Programme Background Requirement South Korea operates an ageing fleet of Bell UH-1s and MD 500s for training purposes. The country has already replaced a part of ...

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

  Future Tactical UAS (FTUAS) [USA]

  Programme Background Programme Objective The Future Tactical UAS (FTUAS) will provide a tactical ISTAR capability for US Army Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs). It is intended to ...

• Trainer

  T-6C [Thailand]

  Programme Background The contract is for 12 Beechcraft T-6C Texan II advanced military training aircraft, ground-based training systems for pilots and maintenance professionals, a mission ...

• Reconnaissance/patrol vehicles

  ARV (USMC)

  Programme Background The ARV constitutes one component of a wider USMC effort to develop an interconnected network of manned and unmanned platforms more suited to ...

• Data links

  Data links | T-6 Texan II [Japan]

  In December 2024, reports indicated that the Japanese Government selected the T-6C Texan II as the new trainer aircraft for the Japanese Air Self-Defence Forces. ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

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

  Aerosonde HQ SUAS

  The Aerosonde Hybrid Quadcopter (HQ) SUAS is the VTOL version of the Aerosonde SUAS. It combines the capabilities of a multi-rotor platform with the efficiency ...

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

  Aerosonde Mk 4.8 HQ FTUAS

  From the Texton family of Aerosonde UAS, the Aerosonde Mk 4.8 Hybrid Quad (HQ) FTUAS is a tactical drone purpose-built to meet the US Army's Future Vertical Lift ...

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

  Aerosonde Mk 4.7

  Jointly developed by AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems, a unit of Textron Systems, and Aerosonde, the Aerosonde Mk 4.7 is a fixed-wing UAV. First demonstrated in 2009, ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  Cottonmouth

  The Cottonmouth is a purpose-built 6x6 amphibious reconnaissance vehicle designed by Textron Systems to meet the requirements of the USMC's Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV) programme. It ...

• Air: mission management systems

  iCommand 2.5

  The iCommand 2.5 is the latest version of the iCommand integrated command suite, designed by Textron Systems Advanced Information Solutions. The system has been designed ...

• Medium/general-purpose machine guns

  7.62mm CT MMG

  Since June 2014, the US Army has awarded contracts totalling $7.7 million to Textron Systems to develop a 7.62mm version of the 5.56mm light machine ...

• Military helicopters - light/training

  Bell 505

  The Bell 505 is a light, single-engine helicopter initially designed for the utility, executive/passenger and law enforcement markets produced by Bell Textron. The Montenegrin Air ...

• Military UGVs

  Ripsaw M3

  The Ripsaw M3 is a tracked UGV developed by Textron Systems in partnership with Howe & Howe and Teledyne FLIR Systems. The vehicle has been developed ...

• Maritime patrol

  Cessna Maritime Patrol

  The Cessna 'special mission' Maritime Patrol Aircraft is a variant of the Cessna Citation Longitude business jet developed by Textron aviation. Textron has stated the onboard systems, ...

• EW test systems, Air: air combat simulators

  PRTS

  The Portable Range Threat Simulator (PRTS) is a modular package that adds long-range capabilities to Textron Systems' Radar Signal Simulator. 

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

  RQ-7B Shadow v2 Block III

  The RQ-7B Shadow v2 Block III is an upgraded UAS developed by Textron Systems. Compared to previous versions, it has a quieter, more reliable and more powerful ...

• Trainer

  Beechcraft King Air 260 (T-54A)

  The Beechcraft King Air 260 is a twin-engine turboprop which the USN has selected as part of the Multi-Engine Training System (METS) programme. Ten aircraft were ...

• Military UGVs

  Ripsaw M5

  The Ripsaw M5 has been developed to meet the requirements of the US Army's Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) programme for a family of new UGVs. ...

• Military - USVs

  Fleet Class/Common Unmanned Surface Vessel

  Developed for the USN, the Fleet Class Common USV System that can fulfil MCM, ISR and surface combat roles. It is designed by Textron Systems ...

• EW test systems, Air: air combat simulators

  MAST

  The Man-Portable Aircraft Survivability Trainer (MAST) replicates the visual and spectral effects of a shoulder-fired IR missile threat to stimulate UV-based aircraft survivability equipment systems ...