• Naval Warfare

  Is the US Navy’s new DDG(X) destroyer facing cancellation?

  6th June 2024

  The projected costs for the DDG(X) destroyer project are spiralling, its technologies need to be matured and the USN has more pressing priorities. If the programme begins to repeat some of the mistakes made on previous major surface combatant procurements then DDG(X) is likely to face the axe.

• Defence Helicopter

  Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters

  25th September 2023

  The Argentinian Air Force (FAA) and the Argentinian Naval Aviation Command (COAN) are looking for options to upgrade their helicopter fleets.

• Training

  Saab awarded contract for T-7A aft section, while US Air Force tests ejection seat

  29th January 2024

  Saab has secured a contract from Boeing to manufacture vital components for the T-7A Red Hawk trainer jet amid ongoing ejection seat tests and undisclosed delivery timelines.

• Training

  Boeing T-7A Red Hawk arrives at Edwards to begin testing

  10th November 2023

  The US Air Force awarded Boeing a $9.2 billion contract for the T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer and supporting equipment in 2018.

• Air Warfare

  Israel prepares F-35s for potential mission in Iran

  21st February 2024

  The threat of Iranian nuclear weapons has led Israel to make changes to its F-35s while Russian actions in Syria have acted as a catalyst for action in developing anti-jamming systems.

• Naval Warfare

  DSEI 2023: Orbit unveils MPT family of SATCOM terminals for USVs and small craft

  13th September 2023

  Israeli company Orbit unveiled a family of new multipurpose satellite communications systems for small ships and uncrewed surface vehicles (USV) at DSEI 2023.

• Air Warfare

  Embraer C-390 triumphs in South Korea's transport aircraft competition

  5th December 2023

  Embraer's C-390 Millennium has secured a contract with South Korea, outperforming industry rivals such as Lockheed Martin and Airbus, marking a pivotal moment as the nation is set to become the first C-390 customer in Asia.

• Defence Helicopter

  Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter

  6th October 2023

  The Italian Navy now boasts a fleet of 56 NH90 helicopters comprising 46 SH-90As and 10 MH-90As.

• Air Warfare

  Airbus signs French A330 tanker upgrade deals worth $1.7 billion

  23rd October 2023

  Airbus will transform the French Air Force's A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) fleet into a robust high-bandwidth communication relay, starting deliveries in 2028, the European aerospace giant has revealed.

• Training

  Australia deploys F-35s as part of Indonesian military exercise

  10th October 2023

  The deployment involved planning and executing air combat exercise missions, including offensive and defensive counter-air missions, basic fighter manoeuvres, and air-to-air refuelling with a Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircrat.

• Defence Notes

  Budgetary uncertainty threatens Argentinian modernisation plans

  29th January 2024

  The new Argentina government has reduced the defence budget request for 2024 and enabled the use of FONDEF for expenses not related to equipment improvement.

• Training

  US Air Force's largest exercise bolsters combat readiness and joint force integration

  26th July 2023

  Amidst a complex threat environment, this year's Red Flag exercise prioritises joint force operations, agility and aerial refuelling capabilities while preparing for nation-state and non-state actor threats.

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2023: CAE unveils US Air Force digital F-16 cockpit

  30th November 2023

  For the first time CAE exhibited a digital F-16 cockpit integrated with the Simulators Common Architecture Requirements and Standards (SCARS) marking a major step forward in training equipment virtualisation.

• Air Warfare

  NATO nears end of multi-tanker air-to-air refuelling exercise in Canary Islands

  26th October 2023

  The 9th European Air Refuelling Training began on October 16 from Gando Air Base in Gran Canaria, Spain, and has involved air tankers from France, Italy and Spain.

• Air Warfare

  Two ready to tango in South Korean helicopter competition

  20th October 2023

  Two US-based OEMs will be vying for supremacy in a forthcoming competition for special forces heavy helicopters for the South Korean military.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-46A (USA)

  Programme Background The first four Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) KC-46A aircraft were delivered to McConnell AFB in Kansas in January 2019. As of December 2020, a ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | KC-Y Tanker Aircraft (USA)

  The USAF is looking to procure tanker aircraft to bridge the gap between the delayed KC-46 fleet and the future Advanced Air Refueling Tanker (known also ...

• Data links

  Data links | KC-Y Tanker Aircraft (USA)

  The USAF is looking to procure tanker aircraft to bridge the gap between the delayed KC-46 fleet and the future Advanced Air Refueling Tanker (known also ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | KC-Y Tanker Aircraft (USA)

  The USAF is looking to procure tanker aircraft to bridge the gap between the delayed KC-46 fleet and the future Advanced Air Refueling Tanker (known also ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-Y Tanker Aircraft (USA)

  Programme Background The USAF is replacing its fleet of 396 KC-135 Stratotanker refuelling aircraft, built in the 1950s and 60s, and 59 KC-10 Extenders, which entered service ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-46A (Israel)

  Programme Background Boeing, according to reports, would not grant Israel Aerospace Industries permission to convert used 767s into tanker planes. Consequently, according to Channel 12 ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-46A Forecast (Israel)

  Programme Background Boeing, according to reports, would not grant Israel Aerospace Industries permission to convert used 767s into tanker planes. Consequently, according to Channel 12 ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  Heavy Multirole Tanker [Italy]

  Programme Background Requirement Italy operates four Boeing KC-767As, which provide the Italian Air Force with tanker capability. According to the Italian MoD, this tanker fleet ...

• APCs/IFVs - 4x4, Mine-protected vehicles

  Kirpi (Tunisia)

  Programme Background The Tunisian Armed Forces require mine-resistant vehicles to support its troops engaged in counter-terrorism missions, who face a high risk of attack from IEDs. ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-130J - US Marine Corps

  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 ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | KC-130J [Saudi Arabia]

  Royal Saudi Air Force is seeking to purchase three KC-130J tanker aircraft in addition to two units acquired under FMS programme. On 9 November 2012, ...

• Data links

  Data links | KC-130J [Saudi Arabia]

  Royal Saudi Air Force is seeking to purchase three KC-130J tanker aircraft in addition to two units acquired under FMS programme. On 9 November 2012, ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | KC-130J [Saudi Arabia]

  Royal Saudi Air Force is seeking to purchase three KC-130J tanker aircraft in addition to two units acquired under FMS programme. On 9 November 2012, ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | KC-390 (Option) [Portugal]

  The Portuguese Air Force is planning to purchase one KC-390 aircraft in addition to the five platforms under a contract signed in August 2019 to supply ...

• Data links

  Data links | KC-390 (Option) [Portugal]

  The Portuguese Air Force is planning to purchase one KC-390 aircraft in addition to the five platforms under a contract signed in August 2019 to supply ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-46A Pegasus

  In February 2011, Boeing received a USAF contract to build 179 KC-46A tankers, developed from the KC-767A. The first phase of the USAF's tanker recapitalisation ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-135 Stratotanker

  The KC-135 entered service in 1957 with the USAF, which plans to keep the type flying beyond 2040 when it will be replaced by the ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  KC-46A ATS

  FlightSafety supports the USAF aircrew training program for the KC-46A Pegasus tanker aircraft. The program delivers a multi-faceted training package to the USAF from design, ...

• Subsystems: visual

  VITAL 1100

  FlightSafety’s VITAL 1100 visual system provides pilots with simulator training that features realistic, detailed, high-resolution views designed to enhance safety. VITAL 1100 is combined with ...

• Air: Defensive Systems - Radar Warning Receivers, EW test systems

  Model 527

  The Model 527 radar signal simulator is used for end-of-runway and walk-around radiated RWR testing to verify the operational status of the aircraft and its ...

• Air: Defensive Systems - MLDS, Air: Defensive Systems - Laser Warning Receivers

  AN/AAR-47B(V)2

  The AN/AAR-47B Missile Warning System (MWS) is an EW system designed to protect low/slow-flying aircraft against surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles. The MWS will detect a ...

• Air: chaff, flare and decoy systems

  Alloy Surfaces and Kilgore IRCM flares

  Chemring Countermeasures develops and manufactures the Alloy Surfaces and Kilgore range of airborne IR flares that are compatible with most available dispensers on a variety ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-10 Extender

  The KC-10 Extender is a tanker/transport aircraft developed for the USAF by McDonnell Douglas (now part of Boeing). It was derived from the company’s three-engine ...

• Air: Defensive Systems - Radar Warning Receivers

  APR-39(V)

  The ARP-39(V) is an RWR system for combat helicopters, low-speed aircraft and fast attack craft. The system comprises two dual-video receivers, four spiral cavity-backed antennas, ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-130J Super Hercules

  The KC-130J Super Hercules is a tanker variant of the C-130J Super Hercules. It is designed to deliver fuel to several platforms, including helicopters and ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  USAF KC-135 ATS

  The KC-135 Aircrew Training System (ATS) programme delivers initial qualification, requalification, continuation and upgrades training for USAF KC-135 aircrews, including pilots, co-pilots and boom operators. ...

• Towed guns

  M-46

  The M-46 130mm field gun was developed to meet a Soviet Army artillery requirement developed in 1946 and it entered production in 1951. The M-46, ...

• Air-launched ASW torpedoes, Ship-launched torpedoes

  MK 46 Mod 5A (SW)

  The MK 46 Mod 5A (SW) is the latest model of the MK 46 family, used by 25 countries, in service with the USN and ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  KC-10A Training

  FlightSafety supports USAF Air Mobility Command with 4,000-6,000 initial, upgrade and recurrent training events each year for KC-10 pilots, boom operators and flight engineers. It ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  USMC KC-130J Training Devices

  CAE delivered a KC-130J cockpit avionics part-task trainer to MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina. The device is used for classroom training of ground maintenance personnel ...