• Digital Battlespace

  Kratos wins $579 million space defence contract for ground control system

  27th November 2023

  Kratos Defense and Security Solutions to provide satellite control capabilities to US Space Force and US Space Command.

• Naval Warfare

  Boeing completes Orca large UUV trials and moves to next stage

  4th August 2023

  Boeing has completed months of at-sea testing of its Orca extra-large uncrewed undersea vehicle (XLUUV), an activity which included a series of autonomous surface and submerged manoeuvres.

• Digital Battlespace

  DSEI 2023: First Azalea satellite cluster set for launch in early 2025

  14th September 2023

  The first four multi-sensor Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites forming the first cluster of Azalea will be launched in early 2025 as part of a BAE Systems effort to demonstrate capability to the UK government and other potential customers.

• Air Warfare

  Inmarsat rolls out new terminal to support US airborne reconnaissance missions

  2nd May 2023

  Inmarsat Government has announced the availability of a new-generation L-band Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Ultra-Lightweight (LAISR ULW) user terminal. The terminal, consisting of a …

• Land Warfare

  Hypersonic threats force Pentagon to modernise its missile defence architecture

  20th December 2023

  The US DoD has been updating policies, enhancing partnerships with allies and acquiring new sensors and systems.

• Land Warfare

  Ukraine to receive new type of counter drone system [UPDATED]

  30th August 2023

  Kongsberg is to deliver the Cortex Typhon CUAS through the International Fund for Ukraine (IFU). The systems will provide essential aerial threat protection capabilities, enhancing Ukraine's ability to combat UAVs such as Shahen 136.

• Land Warfare

  IVAS 1.2 receives ‘very positive’ feedback in initial trials, says US Army

  28th September 2023

  Delivered in July, the newest version of the system was tested at Fort Drum (New York).

• Digital Battlespace

  SitaWare C2 software chosen for German Navy

  1st August 2023

  The German defence procurement office (BAAINBw) has signed a contract with Danish C2 software company Systematic for new C4ISR solutions for the German Navy.

• Digital Battlespace

  DSEI 2023: Adarga unveils Vantage AI information and data analysis platform

  14th September 2023

  UK AI company Adarga has unveiled its Vantage information analysis tool at DSEI, a system already in service with the UK MoD, individual forces and Stratcom.

• Defence Helicopter

  DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest

  13th September 2023

  Lockheed Martin promises a boost to the British job market and export opportunities, while strengthening ties with Poland and positioning the UK for a future in rotorcraft technology in the event of a New Medium Helicopter competition triumph.

• Air Warfare

  Australia selects Lockheed Martin for Project Air 6500

  29th August 2023

  Lockheed Martin Australia has emerged as the winner to create a joint air battle management system for the ADF.

• Air Warfare

  Software upgrade to French Reaper UAVs allows for operations over home territory

  9th August 2023

  France has completed trials of a software upgrade to a General Atomics Reaper Block 5 UAV which allows the country’s fleet of aircraft to operate from French bases and over French territory.

• Land Warfare

  AUSA 2023: GMS demos AI-powered X9 Spider manpack

  19th October 2023

  General Micro Systems' solution merges battlefield processing of video, sensors, data and comms with mobile artificial intelligence capabilities.

• Land Warfare

  Elbit Systems wins $55 million contract for Netherlands' counter-UAS solution

  21st August 2023

  Elbit Systems has won a $55 million contract to provide the Netherlands with multi-layered ReDrone C-UAS systems, featuring radar, signal intelligence and electro-optical capabilities. Deliveries will be completed by 2027.

• Land Warfare

  US Marines to test Hanwha Arion-SMET II UGV

  24th October 2023

  The three-week demonstrations will take place in December at the Marines Training Center, in O’ahu, Hawaii.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16V Procurement [Slovakia]

  Programme Background Earlier in April 2018, the US State Department announced that it has approved a possible FMS deal of 14 F-16V aircraft for an ...

• Reconnaissance/patrol vehicles

  Belgium Jaguar Medium Common Armoured Vehicle Platform

  Programme Background In its Strategic Vision for Defence document published in June 2016, the Belgian MoD outlined its aspirations for equipping five motorised manoeuvre battalions ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  Belgium Griffon Light Common Armoured Vehicle Platform

  Programme Background In its Strategic Vision for Defence document published in June 2016, the Belgian MoD outlined its aspirations for equipping five motorised manoeuvre battalions ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  6x6 APC (Philippines)

  Programme Background The Philippine Army has identified an urgent need for new wheeled APCs, after the Battle of Marawi exposed shortcomings in its existing fleet ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  Intercept and Escort Craft (UK)

  Programme BackgroundThe UK MoD launched a programme aimed at developing a class of Intercept and Escort craft intended to replace the existing stock of Avon Sea Rider, Pacific ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  Intercept and Escort Craft (UK) (Option)

  Programme Background The UK MoD launched a programme aimed at developing a class of Intercept and Escort craft intended to replace the existing stock of Avon Sea ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-15SA Saudi Arabia

  The aircraft deal includes 170 APG-63(v)3 AESA radar sets, 193 F-110-GE-129 Improved Performance Engines, 100 M61 Vulcan Cannons, 338 Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems amongst ...

• 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 ...

• 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 UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  Bayraktar TB2 (Qatar)

  Programme Background In 2018 at DIMDEX, it was revealed that Qatar had bought six Bayraktar TB2 UAVs from Turkey. The deal also included three ground control stations, ...

• Military helicopters - scout/light attack

  MD 530F -Kenya

  Crew transition training took place at the MD Helicopters headquarters in Mesa, Arizona, with field service support, armament, and gunnery training scheduled to occur at ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - small

  Tethered UAS (UK)

  Programme Background Requirements The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is seeking one UAV system, two drones, which operate from a tethered power supply and have the 'flexibility ...

• Military helicopters - maritime

  MH-60R (Spain)

  Programme Background On 16 March 2022, the US State Department approved an FMS to Spain for eight MH-60R helicopters and associated equipment and weaponry for $950 ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  Tejas LCA - India Follow-On

  According to the HAL's chairman R Madhavan, 'apart from all the capabilities of IOC aircraft, the FOC variant additionally comes with an air-to-air refuelling capability, close-combat ...

• ISR/special mission

  Pegasus SIGINT Aircraft (Follow-On) [Germany]

  Programme Background Requirement For details of the PEGASUS programme, see the original programme entry. The Pegasus (Persistent German Airborne Surveillance System) project aims to fulfil a ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  BNET-V

  BNET-V is a MANET Software-Defined Radio for vehicles. Designed by Rafael, the multiband radio has a modular architecture and offers compatibility with several legacy systems.

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  Next Generation Survivor Radio

  The Next Generation Survivor Radio (NGSR) is a software-defined radio being developed by General Dynamics Mission Systems. It is expected to enter into service after June 2026.

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  Sentry Mesh 6161

  The Sentry Mesh 6161-L is a software-defined radio produced by Domo Tactical Communications and Codan Communications. Unveiled in 2023, the L-band radio is marketed at soldier ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM, Naval: Radio and SATCOM

  CNHF1

  Produced by KNL, the CNHF1 is a software-defined HF radio system with cognitive radio capabilities. Capable of receiving the entire HF spectrum, it provides secure, ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  MCR1025

  Reutech's LANDSEC MCR1025 is an HF manpack radio system in service with the South African National Defence Force. Notably, it supports Automatic Link Establishment (ALE) ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  F@stnet Twin

  Thales F@stnet Twin is a lightweight, dual-channel software-defined radio for dismounted soldiers. Launched in 2010, it is a member of the PR4G/F@stnet product family.

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  THOR VRM

  THOR VRM (Vehicle Radio Module) is a software-defined radio being developed by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace as of Q3 FY2023. It is expected to enter ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  PRC-525

  The PRC-525 Combat Net Radio is a software-defined radio covering HF, VHF and UHF bands in a single unit. Offered in multiple configurations, it provides ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  MR6000A

  A member of Rohde & Schwarz's M3AR product family, the MR6000A is an airborne software-defined radio. Notably, it features an integrated cryptographic module, and the radio ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  SDR Family

  Designed to provide high-speed data and voice communications to support land, maritime and air platform applications on the digital battlefield. The family of SDRs consists ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  SWave VQ1

  Leonardo SWave VQ1 is a quad-channel software-defined radio node. Designed for headquarters and command vehicles, it provides secure voice and data through multiple legacy and ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM, UAS: communication systems

  R&S SDAR

  The R&S; SDAR is a software-defined airborne radio that extends the R&S; M3AR airborne radio family. The R&S; SDAR offers secure broadband voice and data ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  ESR-P

  Developed by Thales, the ESR-P (Équipement radio standard-Portatif) is a dual-band, handheld software-defined radio designed for France's CONTACT communications programme. Having completed evaluations in December 2023, it ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Aselsan 9681 V/UHF

  Aselsan 9681 V/UHF is a software-defined radio with frequency hopping and encryption capabilities. Designed for air platforms, it has been in service with the Turkish ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  TRC-1222 Rondon

  The TRC-1222 Rondon is a software-defined, multiband radio system produced by IMBEL. Offered in handheld, manpack and vehicular configurations, it is procured by the Brazilian Army.