• Defence Notes

  Australia selects preferred bidder for JP9102 SATCOM tender

  3rd April 2023

  A contract has not been awarded yet, but Lockheed Martin has been declared the preferred bidder for JP9102 MILSATCOM in Australia.

• Defence Notes

  What is preventing the German defence industry from accelerating production?

  2nd May 2023

  Although Germany has announced investments in its manufacturing capacities and reduced regulatory barriers, there are still challenges to be overcome.

• Land Warfare

  Insight: Why the CV90 infantry fighting vehicle is making a clean sweep of Nordic markets

  19th September 2023

  Shephard Defence Insight explores the evolution of BAE Systems Hägglunds’ CV90 IFV from its inception in the late 1980s to the latest CV90 MkIV, detailing the order history and upgrade packages of its ten European customers.

• Air Warfare

  Updated: Sikorsky accepts FLRAA protest outcome, shifts focus to FARA competition

  19th April 2023

  Sikorsky has opted to take no further legal action over the US Government Accountability Office's rejection of its protest against Bell's V-280 Valor winning the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft competition.

• Naval Warfare

  Royal Navy experiments ship Patrick Blackett gets into its stride

  22nd May 2023

  Having already embarked two experimental capabilities and achieved certification, the UK RN's research ship XV Patrick Blackett is expanding the horizon for the navy's efforts to test and trial new technologies.

• Naval Warfare

  Belgium and Netherlands go Dutch on four billion Euro bill for new frigates

  4th April 2023

  Belgium and the Netherlands have agreed on plans to procure four new Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Frigates under the ASWF project.

• Land Warfare

  Advanced Panther tanks could be supplied to Ukraine

  9th February 2023

  The KF51 Panther was unveiled last year at Eurosatory in Paris and sports a 130mm main gun.

• Land Warfare

  DARPA RACER robotic vehicle programme approaches its second phase

  14th April 2023

  The agency is currently reviewing the results of the last RACER robotic vehicle autonomy experiment and will select partners for phase 2 in the coming weeks.

• Naval Warfare

  The US Navy's 2024 budget request in five charts

  22nd March 2023

  In early March, the Biden administration submitted a proposal to Congress that would see the US DoD funded to the tune of $842 billion, around a quarter of which will go to the US Navy.

• Digital Battlespace

  Northrop Grumman joins USAF effort to build digital network backbone

  6th March 2023

  The company will join Phase 1 of the Common Tactical Edge Network effort to enable Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2).

• Land Warfare

  French Army still not committed to Hornet Air Guardian anti-drone concept

  14th April 2023

  Arquus subsidiary Hornet is still trying to convince French and export customers of the value of the Air Guardian remote weapon station's counter-drone capability.

• Defence Notes

  North Korea launches solid-fuelled ICBM for the first time

  20th April 2023

  In quick speed, North Korea has performed its maiden launch of a solid-fuelled ICBM after parading it just two months ago.

• Air Warfare

  Sweden to extend capacity for Gripen fighter jet engine support

  3rd February 2023

  The Swedish Armed forces will invest to renovate and expand a GKN-run engine test facility for the Saab Gripen's turbofan powerplants.

• Defence Notes

  European defence projects compete for future PESCO funding

  24th January 2023

  New efforts evaluated by the EU's PESCO development mechanism will focus on climate change, hybrid threats, cyber, artificial intelligence and space as well as energy and maritime security.

• Air Warfare

  Australia receives an additional Growler and considers BBJ replacement

  28th March 2023

  The RAAF has returned its Growler fleet to full strength, plus replacements are also needed for two 737 BBJ aircraft used for VVIP transportation.

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 ...

• ISR/special mission

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

  Programme Background The E-6 Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) Recapitalisation Programme (E-XX) provides for air vehicle replacement and mission systems modernization to augment and eventually ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Kfir Replacement (Colombia)

  Programme Background In May 2021, budget constraints prompted new Colombian finance minister José Manuel Restrepo (in post since 3 May) to place on indefinite hold ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  KF41 Lynx [Hungary]

  Programme Background Since 2017, the Hungarian MoD has invested considerable funds into the modernisation of Hungary's Armed Forces. Under its Zrínyi 2026 development plan, the ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  Project Land 400 Phase 3 [Australia]

  Programme Background Requirement: 2015 RfI The Land 400 Phase 3 programme will procure a new tracked IFV to replace the Australian Army's legacy fleet of ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle [USA]

  Programme Background Requirement The OMFV programme is the latest of several attempts to develop a Bradley replacement.  Designed to be capable of operating with or without ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  E-LynX AR

  Elbit Systems' E-LynX AR is a multi-channel SDR designed for operation in airborne platforms, including helicopters, transport aircraft and fighter jets. The MANET-capable radio allows ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  E-LynX Manpack

  Elbit Systems E-LynX Manpack is a multi-band VHF/UHF radio system. The MANET-capable radio features GPS-independent synchronisation, advanced security features and support for multiple waveforms.

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  E-LynX MP Vehicular

  Elbit Systems' E-LynX MP (7200MP-VD55) is a dual-channel vehicular SDR that supports VHF, UHF and L-Band transmissions. The radio features VOIP and analogue interface support, Blue ...

• UAS: communication systems

  E-LynX LX

  Produced by Elbit Systems, the E-LynX LX is a lightweight communication system designed for uncrewed applications in particular. It provides video, audio and data communications ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  MCTR-7200 (E-LynX HH)

  Part of the E-LynX family, the field-proven MCTR-7200 is a tactical software-defined radio with software communications architecture, an intuitive user interface and multiple configuration options. ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  MCTR-7200 MIPR

  Part of the E-LynX family, the MCTR-7200 Military IP Radio (MIPR) is a tactical networking IP data radio that delivers high-speed broadband data communication to ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  PNR-1000

  Part of the E-LynX family, the PNR-1000 IP radio supports up to 64-member ad-hoc networking including full-duplex voice conferencing, data and video simultaneously. As the newest generation ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  PRC-4090

  The Barrett PRC-4090 is a software-defined radio that offers secure e-mail, data transfer and voice connectivity within an HF network. Notably, it can connect to ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  AN/ARC-174

  Rockwell Collins AN/ARC-174 is an HF radio system primarily used in military helicopters. Amongst its several customers, the radio set was notably chosen for the ...

• 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, 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, ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  SOVERON AR

  Developed by Rohde&Schwarz;, SOVERON AR is an airborne SDR that is in use with both fixed and rotary wing platforms. Notably, the radio adheres to ...

• 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

  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 ...