• Naval Warfare

  Babcock to support design of Swedish Navy’s new Luleå-class surface combatant

  16th May 2024

  It is believed the Luleå-class will be about 100m-long and displace about 3,000–4,000 tonnes. The ships will be designed to operate in the Baltics, the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, and will incorporate capabilities to conduct AAW, ASuW and ASW operations.

• Digital Battlespace

  US Space Force focuses acquisition efforts on capabilities for contested scenarios

  10th July 2024

  The service plans to invest nearly US$23 billion in procurement and RDT&E efforts over FY2025.

• Naval Warfare

  Raytheon wins $677 million radar order

  12th June 2024

  Raytheon’s Air and Missile Defence Radar (AMDR), now officially designated as AN/SPY-6(V), will be purchased by the US Navy to equip the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers the service has been procuring under its Flight III initiative.

• Air Warfare

  How the US decision to divert Patriot and NASAMS deliveries to Ukraine will impact NATO countries

  24th June 2024

  Short-term shipments of US-made missiles will be delayed and a new delivery schedule is yet to be defined.

• Digital Battlespace

  Orbit upgrades two multi-purpose terminals and carries out land testing

  11th April 2024

  The communications company has upgraded two of its Beyond Line-of-Sight Multi-Purpose Terminals (MBTs) by introducing advancements in satellite communication technology and AI-driven maintenance capabilities.

• Land Warfare

  MDI solution offers to solve power and data issues for dismounted soldiers

  29th March 2024

  Ultra Precision Control Systems’ Mounted/Dismounted Interface (MDI) was unveiled in London this month with the offer of enhancing situational awareness and communication for dismounted soldiers.

• Land Warfare

  PAC-3E uses Aegis to intercept live target

  21st May 2024

  The MIM-104F Phased Array Tracking to Intercept of Target (Patriot) Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) is a long-range, medium- to high-altitude, all-weather air defence missile designed to counter tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and advanced aircraft.

• Land Warfare

  As the Ukraine war passes the 18-month mark, how are NATO’s factories meeting the artillery challenge?

  18th September 2023

  NATO is rapidly increasing its supply of equipment to Ukraine in a number of key areas including tube artillery and, crucially, its ammunition. Shephard analyses how the alliance's members are stepping up to this challenge after years of industrial neglect.

• Naval Warfare

  UK Royal Navy orders more Remus UUVs

  7th May 2024

  HII’s Remus UUVs can be used for mine-countermeasure, harbour security and reconnaissance operations, as well as hydrographic surveys, environmental monitoring and debris field mapping.

• Naval Warfare

  VideoRay awarded $92 million for MK20 Mission Defender USV development

  13th May 2024

  The VideoRay Mission Specialist Defender underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) is designed to handle unexploded munitions and has seven thrusters to allow a high standard of manoeuvrability.

• Naval Warfare

  Fincantieri begins cutting steel for the Italian Navy’s new OPVs

  25th September 2024

  The company will build four offshore patrol vessels for the Italian Navy, with an option for another two. The first of the new vessels will not be expected to launch until 2027.

• Defence Notes

  US tests Minuteman III as Sentinel successor ICBM programme struggles

  7th June 2024

  In service for nearly 60 years, the Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile is due to be replaced by the Sentinel, but cost overruns and delays continue to plague this successor programme.

• Training

  Krauss-Maffei Wegmann to supply Leopard trainers for Sweden

  13th February 2024

  The Leopard 2 MBT has benefited from continuous development both to meet the requirements of the German Army and export customers. The Leopard 2A5, of which Sweden has 120, was the first model to feature arrowhead-shaped armour on the front of the turret.

• Air Warfare

  Norway joins air defence coalition in support of Ukraine

  7th March 2024

  Norway’s proactive involvement in supporting Ukraine’s air defence and other initiative stood in contrast to the broader trend of diminishing military aid pledges.

• Land Warfare

  MoD awards NP Aerospace US$94.6 million spares and repairs contract

  20th September 2024

  The CVSSP contract will run for the next four years, with two one-year extension options beyond that point.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  ACV-30 PRTV (USA)

  Programme Background The Armoured Combat Vehicle (ACV) programme is intended to provide a replacement for the USMC's fleet of Amphibious Assault Vehicle 7 (AAV7) tracked ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  BvS10 (Sweden)

  Programme Background The FMV announced that it had signed a contract with BAE Systems Hägglunds for 127 BvS10 MkIIBs in May 2021. These will fulfil ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  ACV (US - USMC)

  Programme Background The Armored Combat Vehicle (ACV) programme is intended to provide a replacement for the USMC's fleet of Amphibious Assault Vehicle 7 (AAV7) tracked ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  ACV - Additional Order 1 (US - USMC)

  Programme Background The Armoured Combat Vehicle (ACV) programme is intended to provide a replacement for the USMC's fleet of Amphibious Assault Vehicle 7 (AAV7) tracked ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  CV90 (Czech Republic)

  Programme Background The Czech Republic has been working on modernising its mechanised units at least since 2017, when the country launched its "Tracked IFV" programme ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  ACV - Additional Order 2 (US - USMC)

  Programme Background The Armoured Combat Vehicle (ACV) programme is intended to provide a replacement for the USMC's fleet of Amphibious Assault Vehicle 7 (AAV7) tracked ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  ACV - Additional Order 3 (US - USMC)

  Programme Background The Armoured Combat Vehicle (ACV) programme is intended to provide a replacement for the USMC's fleet of Amphibious Assault Vehicle 7 (AAV7) tracked ...

• ISR/special mission

  Airborne Electonic Attack (1-2) [Italy]

  Programme Background The acquisition effort involves a Direct Commercial Sale (DCS) for the procurement and installation of modifications and a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of ...

• OPVs

  River Class Batch 2

  Programme Background BAE Systems developed an improved version at the River class Batch 1 ships (which first entered service in 2003), to be dubbed the ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  AAV7A1 RAM/RS (Japan - 2nd Batch)

  Programme Background The Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) has procured the AAV7A1 RAM/RS to equip its Amphibious Assault Brigade formed in 2018. Tasked with ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  AMPV (USA)

  Programme Background The US Army initiated the AMPV programme to acquire a replacement for several variants of the M113 tracked APC, which has been in ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) [Japan]

  Programme Background Shephard notes that GCAP's Japanese, British and Italian components are tracked in separate entries. Programme Timeline 2020: The Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency of Japan issued ...

• Submarines: nuclear, attack

  Astute Class (1-7) [UK]

  Programme Background The Astute-class nuclear attack submarines (SSN) are the replacement for the UK Royal Navy's Swiftsure and Trafalgar classes of SSNs. The initial contract ...

• Tanks

  M10 Booker (US)

  Programme Background Inception & NGCV The US Army launched the MPF programme in 2015 when it unveiled its Combat Vehicle Modernization Strategy. This new platform will ...

• Trainer

  Future Lead-In Fighter Training System (Project Air 6002 PH1) - Australia

  Programme Background Requirements The RAAF is seeking a future solution that provides a ‘relevant, adaptable, affordable and safe LIFTS out to 2050’ for training pilots ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: Integrated cockpit systems

  BAE Systems Avionics

  The avionics suite developed by BAE Systems, USA, is specifically designed for aircraft operating in harsh environments. The integrated suite includes caution and warning systems, ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  F-35 Training System

  BAE Systems is involved in F-35 Lightning II Training System design and sustainment, working with prime contractor Lockheed Martin. BAE Systems leads the instructional systems ...

• Naval: RF, IR and acoustic decoys

  Sea Lightning

  Developed by a joint venture between BAE Systems and General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Sea Lightning is being offered to the USN for the Block ...

• Land: air defence radar

  Celldar

  BAE Systems and Roke have developed the Celldar passive radar which detects disturbances to civilian Global System for Mobile Communications digital cellphone networks operating in ...

• Naval guns

  Bofors 40 mk4

  Bofors 40 Mk4 is a naval gun system developed and produced by BAE Systems. It was originally produced by Swedish Bofors, which was acquired by ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  Fast Interceptor Craft

  The Fast Interceptor Craft (FIC) is a high-speed insertion craft developed and built by VT Halmatic, now part of BAE Systems Maritime. According to BAE ...

• Air: mission management systems

  BAE Systems Mission Computers and Display Systems

  The Mission Computers and Display Systems has been designed and developed by BAE Systems, UK, for military platforms. These systems are fully qualified to military, ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Training Services

  Working in Saudi Arabia, BAE Systems is the prime contractor supplying training solutions. These include managing the design, development, delivery and integration of pilot and ...

• Major networking projects

  Defence Architecture Framework

  BAE Systems is developing a broad base of systems architecture expertise to execute network-centric warfare projects on behalf of the Australian Defence Force. This is ...

• Tanks

  MPF Prototype

  In 1992, the US Army selected the M8 to meet its requirement for an air-transportable Armored Gun System, but the programme was cancelled for budgetary ...

• Air: air combat simulators

  Hawk Oman Training System

  In 2014, L3 Link (now L3Harris Technologies) received a contract from BAE Systems to develop the Hawk Oman Training System (HOTS). The training system will ...

• 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 ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Wide-angle holographic HUD

  The wide angle holographic Head-up Display (HUD) was been developed by GEC Marconi (now BAE Systems). 

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  TTF

  BAE Systems manages the Typhoon Training Facility (TTF) for the UK MoD at RAF Coningsby, England. The facility supports the operational conversion unit and squadron ...

• Naval guns

  Bofors 57 mk3/mk110

  Bofors 57 mk3, known as mk110 in the United States, is a naval gun system produced by BAE Systems. It was originally designed in the ...