• Special Operations

  Netherlands to get new SOCOM training facility

  21st September 2018

  Special operations forces from the Netherlands are set to benefit from a new training facility to support counter-terrorism (CT) and urban warfare mission sets, according …

• Special Operations

  Sharpening the claws of coalition SOF operations

  24th September 2018

  Special operations forces from a coalition of 10 nations initiated Exercise Night Hawk on 17th September, designed to develop skill sets associated with special missions …

• Special Operations

  SOCOM outlines maritime capabilities demonstration

  15th June 2018

  United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has outlined an upcoming technical experimentation (TE) activity focused on SOF maritime surface systems. The research and development opportunity …

• Special Operations

  SOFIC 2018: EaglePicher looks to power SOF warriors

  18th May 2018

  One company exploring SOF applications for its underlying technologies and resulting product designs is EaglePicher Technologies. The company, which currently provides approximately 85% of the …

• Special Operations

  SOFIC 2018: SOCOM looks to next gen communications

  26th May 2018

  The US Special Operations Command’s (USSOCOM’s) Program Executive Office for Command and Control, Communications and Computers (C4) has confirmed to Shephard it is still interested …

• Special Operations

  SOFIC 2018: USSOCOM embraces hackers and makers

  22nd May 2018

  USSOCOM has embraced the potential involvement of so-called “hackers” and “makers” in an accelerated acquisition process. Hacker and maker involvement feeds the process through the …

• Special Operations

  SOFIC 2018: General Dynamics pitches new TUV to SOF

  23rd May 2018

  General Dynamics has unveiled its Flyer 72 Tactical Utility Vehicle (TUV), a design it is pitching as a way to help US special forces transport …

• Special Operations

  SOFIC 2018: SOF community awaiting decisions on new attack helicopter

  29th May 2018

  On the road to developing the US Army's next-generation helicopter fleet, the special forces community is working with the larger service to help guide requirements …

• Special Operations

  DSA 2018: Philippines activates unified SOF command

  11th April 2018

  The Armed Forces of the Philippines stood up a new integrated joint command, called the AFP Special Operations Command (AFPSOCOM), on 6 April. Putting them …

• Special Operations

  Venezuela to enhance SOF capabilities

  12th March 2018

  Venezuela’s special operations forces are set to receive a USD $20 million uplift in materiel and equipment, according to President Nicolas Maduro. Announcing the news …

• Special Operations

  Denmark identifies future SOF upgrades

  13th February 2018

  The Danish Defence Agreement 2018-2023, published on 1st February 2018, has outlined a series of future plans to upgrade the capabilities of the country’s special …

• Special Operations

  ViaSat signs USSOCOM contract

  15th January 2018

  ViaSat has been awarded an IDIQ contract with US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) for mission networking and communications equipment, sustainment and support services, the company …

• Special Operations

  Composite Command for Belgium, Denmark and Netherlands SOF

  19th January 2018

  A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding the generation of the Composite Special Operations Component Command (C-SOCC) by Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands is, pending political …

• Land Warfare

  Ukrainian military receives first 7.62mm M4s

  5th January 2018

  Ukraine’s arms producer and exporter Ukroboronprom has delivered a small batch of new WAC-47 assault rifles to the Ukrainian armed forces, National Guard and other …

• Special Operations

  SOCOM moves from ThunderDrone to Game of Drones

  19th December 2017

  In the aftermath of its recently-completed ThunderDrone Prototype Rodeo, held in early November at the SOFWERX facility in the Ybor City area of Tampa, Florida, …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Reconnaissance/patrol vehicles

  AGMV 1.1

  Programme Background The US Army has been seeking a lightweight, air-droppable, high mobility vehicle since as early as 2014, when it initiated its Ultra Light ...

• ISR/special mission

  Armed Overwatch/Targeting (USA)

  Programme Background The Armed Overwatch programme was revealed in March 2020, during a US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) industry briefing. In June 2021, the USSOCOM awarded a $19.3 ...

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

  K1000ULE [USMC]

  Programme Background Contact Award After a comprehensive down-selection evaluation, Kraus Hamdani Aerospace's K1000ULE drone won the USN's PMA 263 contract in April 2024. The company will now provide the USN ...

• Loitering munitions

  Echelon 0: Ground Organic Precision Strike Systems (GOPSS) [USSOCOM]

  Programme Background Requirements The U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has made loitering capabilities a priority in its efforts to support counter-violent extremist organization (C-VEO) operations ...

• Special operations vehicles

  GMV 1.1

  Programme Background The GMV 1.1 programme commenced with the release of an RfP in June 2012. USSOCOM sought a platform that was lighter than the ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Loitering munitions, Military UAS - mini

  Roadrunner

  Unveiled in late 2023, the Roadrunner family are VTOL-capable autonomous, jet-powered drones designed to be customized for various missions.  The Roadrunner-Munition (Roadrunner-M) is a variant designed to ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  InstantEye Mk2 Gen3

  The InstantEye Mk2 Gen3 is a UAS that has been designed for military, commercial and first responder customers. The UAV is able to operate during ...

• Air: COMINT and ELINT systems

  FlyingFish Xtender

  The FlyingFish Xtender has been designed to provide SIGINT capabilities at the tactical level. As its name suggests, this small and lightweight module extends the ...

• Military UGVs

  Reckless

  Nikola Motor Company is developing a UGV conversion of its Reckless electric 4x4 vehicle that will be able to be operated via remote control. Due ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  AN/PRC-163

  The AN/PRC-163, formerly known as the RF-335M-STC, is a multi-channel, handheld SDR manufactured by L3Harris. Selected by USSOCOM for its Special Operations Forces in 2015, ...

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

  K1000ULE

  The KL1000 Ultra Long Endurance, or KL1000ULE, is an American-made UAV from Kraus Aerospace. Its Lithium-Ion battery and solar technology allow the fully electric aircraft to operate ...

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

  Puma AE

  The Puma All Environment (AE), or RQ-20A in US terminology, is the first generation of AeroVironment's small UAS. Succeeded by the Puma 2 AE, which the ...

• APCs/IFVs - 4x4

  RG33

  BAE Systems RG33 is a family of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles available in both 4x4 and 6x6. The medium-weight class of BAE Systems MRAP ...

• ISR/special mission

  King Air ISR

  Developed by Beechcraft, the King Air ISR special mission family comprises King Air 200, 300 and 350 variants. It is designated as Shadow R.Mk 1 ...

• Crew-served assault/anti-tank weapons

  Carl-Gustaf M4

  In September 2014, Saab Dynamics introduced the Carl-Gustaf M4, the fourth generation of the widely deployed shoulder-fired 84mm recoilless weapon system. It describes the new ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  Combatant Craft Heavy (CCH) SEALION

  The Combatant Craft Heavy (CCH) SEALION (Sea Air Land Insertion, Observation and Neutralization) is a low-observable semi-submersible craft employed by U.S. Naval Special Warfare Special ...

• Land: RWS

  Samson Mini

  The Samson Mini is one of the lightest members of the Samson RWS family. It is a dual-axis, gyrostabilised RWS designed for use on vehicles, ...

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

  Raven B / RQ-11

  The Raven B, named the RQ-11 in US nomenclature, is a UAV that provides a low-altitude ISR capability for commercial and military applications. The system offers day/night aerial observation ...