• Training

  UK provides engineering training for Ukraine to protect critical infrastructure

  23rd October 2023

  The training program has been designed to improve Ukraine's capacity to plan the defence of vital infrastructure and safeguard civilian lives.

• Digital Battlespace

  US DoD updates approach to the threats and benefits of AI

  3rd November 2023

  The first DoD AI Strategy, published in 2018, and revised DoD Data Strategy, published in 2020, are two foundational documents that matured the department's data-centric structures to increase the efficacy of fielding modern AI-enabled capabilities.

• Digital Battlespace

  Lockheed Martin deploys ten satellites for Low-Earth Orbit comms

  4th September 2023

  Ten Lockheed Martin Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) Tranche 0 Transport Layer (T0TL) communications satellites have been successfully deployed in support of the US Space Development Agency's (SDA) T0TL mission.

• Air Warfare

  Preparing for mass deployments and improving aircraft fleet among US Air Force priorities for FY2025

  5th February 2024

  The branch’s main concerns for FY2025 will include integrating systems and equipment, improving software, cyber capabilities and aircraft fleet, and preparing for mass deployments.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Analysis: Europe emerges as a crucial strategic market for UAV manufacturers

  5th June 2024

  Europe's fragmented UAV market, driven by geopolitical factors and recent conflicts like the Russo–Ukrainian War, offers significant opportunities for drone manufacturers. Key technological advancements and evolving procurement strategies present a fertile landscape for growth and innovation in the region.

• Air Warfare

  Boeing’s upgraded AH-64 Apache attack helicopter completes first flight

  16th October 2023

  The latest version of the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter has been developed with optimised route and attack planning, advanced Link 16 capabilities and integration with open-systems interfaces.

• Air Warfare

  Altius 700 air-launched UAV completes first successful flight demonstration

  5th January 2024

  The Altius 700 was developed as an air vehicle solution to address the size, weight and power requirements in the approved May 2020 Launched Effects Abbreviated Capabilities Development Document and has marked a further development of the Altius 600.

• Land Warfare

  Next set of orders due for French Army's Serval patrol vehicle

  27th November 2023

  The Serval 4x4 lightweight multi-role armoured vehicle has two prime contractors – Texelis which has been contracted by the French defence procurement agency (DGA) to build and supply the rolling chassis and Nexter Systems which provides the body.

• Naval Warfare

  BlueWhale - A True Submarine Force Multiplier

  26th March 2024

  The seventh annual REPMUS* and Dynamic Messenger naval exercises, organized and led by the Portuguese Navy and NATO, were held over a three-week period in September 2023.

• Digital Battlespace

  Eventide Communications' NexLog DX-FIPS recorders achieve JITC certification

  16th November 2023

  Reliability and security remain at the forefront of technology considerations in the rapidly evolving defence communications industry.

• Defence Notes

  Boom time has arrived for South Korean defence exports (Opinion)

  9th October 2023

  The Asian country to make the most spectacular and stellar success in terms of arms exports is none other than South Korea, a nation of 51.7 million citizens.

• Defence Notes

  BAE Systems grows DI unit with purchase of Eurostep

  1st November 2023

  BAE Systems and Swedish data sharing company Eurostep have been co-operating on projects for a number of years and the deal will help the development of the UK company’s digital asset management suite PropheSEA.

• Air Warfare

  Insight: How will the US Navy keep its EA-18G Growler EW aircraft flying until 2046?

  14th September 2023

  The carrier-based EA-18G Growler entered service in 2010 and is intended to remain in service until 2046. Shephard Defence Insight analyses the key operational technologies on the aircraft and the upgrade path needed to keep it flying and effective for another two decades.

• Defence Notes

  Russia is evading sanctions and purchasing US components for its arsenal, warns US Senate

  13th September 2024

  Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal has claimed that Russian bombs, missiles and drones “supported by American technologies” have been fatally used on Ukrainians soldiers and civilians.

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2023: US Marine Corps seek AI capabilities for training purposes

  28th November 2023

  The US Marine Corps is divesting its legacy training systems and simulations to adopt solutions that can enable replicating current and future operating environments with high fidelity.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - MALE

  Anka-B - Turkey

  Programme Background The Anka is a MALE UAV used by the Turkish Armed Forces. The system is able to perform day and night in all ...

• Maritime patrol

  P-8I Follow-On [India]

  Programme Background The IN currently has eight P-8I aircraft in service, these ordered on 4 January 2009 for $2.1 billion. India inducted its first P-8I ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  T-50 [Thailand]

  The purchase had been earlier approved by the Thai cabinet on 11 July 2017.  AVM Pongsak Semachai revealed that the aircraft would be paid for ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  T-50 Follow-On [Thailand]

  Programme Background The Royal Thai Air Force  (RTAF) exercised its option to purchase additional two aircraft from an earlier deal. The RTAF purchased four T-50 jets in ...

• AEW&C

  E-2D (France)

  Programme Background In July 2020, France revealed its intention of buying a fleet of three E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Aircraft with a $2 billion potential FMS deal, ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing

  Fixed-Wing VTOL UAV (Malaysia)

  Programme Background Tender Issued As reported by Shephard, on 18 June 2021, Malaysia issued a tender for fixed-wing hybrid VTOL UAVs.  Requirement The tender stated that Malaysia required ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  HH-60W - Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH)

  According to the FY2021 Base funding, the HH-60W helicopter unit cost is $43.2 million. The HH-60W will be capable of employment day or night, in ...

• Military UAS - mini

  RQ-20A Puma (Latvia)

  Programme Background The US DoD is financing military modernisation in the Baltic to improve the capabilities of the Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian militaries. This includes ...

• Maritime patrol

  P-8I (13-18) [India]

  Programme Background India previously bought eight P-8Is from Boeing in 2009 in a direct commercial sale, adding four more in 2016. India inducted its first ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  New Water Jet Fast Attack Craft (NWJFAC) (India)

  Programme Background Requirements The Indian Navy is seeking replacements for a large proportion of its 19 46-49m-long waterjet-powered fast attack craft, several of which are approaching ...

• Military UAS - mini

  RQ-11 Raven (US Army)

  Programme Background The AeroVironment RQ-11 Raven began to be deployed by the US Army in 2004 and was selected as its sole small UAS in ...

• Military UAS - tactical

  Skeldar V-200 Dutch Navy

  Programme Background The Dutch Ministry of Defence issued a notice seeking information regarding the potential acquisition of a vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aerial vehicle ...

• Military UAS - micro

  NX70 Microdrone (First Batch)

  Programme Background The French Army procured the NX70 to meet an urgent operational requirement for a small UAS that could provide short-range ISR for dismounted ...

• Military UAS - tactical

  Skeldar V-200 Belgian Navy

  Programme Background For the joint MCM programme between Belgium and the Netherlands, the Dutch Ministry of Defence issued a notice calling for information regarding the ...

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

  Vector / Scorpion [Netherlands]

  Programme Background AeroVironment RQ-11 Raven B The Royal Netherlands Army (RNLA) operates approximately 75 AeroVironment RQ-11 Raven B mini UAVs in the tactical ISTAR role, ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Data links

  MLT 2920

  The MLT 2920 Multi Link Terminal is a Link 11/22 compatible data link solution. Supplied by Elbit Systems Deutschland, it comprises one Link 11 modem ...

• Data links

  MDM-2X02N

  The MDM-2X02N is a tactical data link modem that combines the functionalities of a Link 11 DTS and Link 22 signal processor controller (SPC) into ...

• Data links

  DLP

  The Data Link Processor (DLP) is a TDL server able to support Link 11A, 11B, 16 and 22 data link operations. The DLP receives, transmits ...

• Data links

  TIGER

  The Tactical Data Link Integration Exerciser (TIGER) stimulates systems under test with tactical scenarios. Among TIGER’s capabilities is the abilities, it can simulate multiple tracks: ...

• Data links

  GTS - TCG

  Curtiss-Wright Defence Solutions' Ground Tactical Data Link System (GTS) product line provides operational users with an affordable, interoperable and combat-proven battlefield tactical data link (TDL) system ...

• Data links

  MX-512PV-C

  Similar to the MX-512PV (see separate entry), the MX-512PV-C Link 11/TADIL-A Data Terminal Set/Link 22 SPC communicates tactical C2 data between ship, shore and air ...

• Data links

  Maritime Tactical Data Link

  The Maritime Tactical Data Link (MTDL) is a developmental tactical data link by Hanwha Systems. Offered in 16 configurations, the system is based on the ...

• Data links

  Naval M-DLP

  The Naval Multi-Data Link Processor (M-DLP) is designed for naval forces and was developed to comply with warship operating requirements, with redundant system architecture and ...

• Data links

  Link 22

  Link 22 is an ECM-resistant, BLoS tactical data communication system using fixed frequency or frequency-hopping techniques in the HF (3-30MHz) and/or UHF (225-400MHz) bands. The ...

• Data links

  AN/USQ-125V DTS

  Like its airborne Data Terminal Set counterparts, the AN/USQ-125V performs as a modem, communicating tactical C2 data between ship, shore and air platforms on the ...

• Data links

  Universal Link System

  Developed by Scytalys, the Universal Link System (ULS) is a modular, scalable multi data link processor. It supports all NATO and US standard data links ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  JTRS Later Increment Waveforms

  A number of waveforms are scheduled for implementation in later JTRS increments: WNW with low probability of intercept/detection and bandwidth-efficient advanced modulation; SRW with LPI/LPD; ...

• Data links

  LinkPro

  LinkPro is a standards-based, high fidelity, software-only, multi-link Tactical Data Link (TDL) processing engine that improves tactical communications, reduces the time, risk and expense of ...

• Data links

  Link-M

  Milsoft's Link-M is a tactical data link system which may be integrated into land, naval and air platforms. According to the manufacturer's website, it is ...

• Data links

  Multifunction Advanced Data Link

  Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL) is a Ku-band data link designed for fifth-generation aircraft. The directional, interflight system is integrated into all F-35 variants, allowing ...