• Land Warfare

  Preparations underway for Saudi–US Red Sands exercise

  10th January 2024

  Last year’s Rad Sands Live Fire (RSLF) included a demonstration of C-UAS capability and the second of this year’s events in October/November will be expected to include similar activity and companies from earlier events such as MARSS.

• Defence Notes

  Aging infrastructure is endangering US military’s capacity to innovate

  26th February 2024

  The US’s ability to prepare for future conflicts had been placed at risk with many Pentagon laboratories and testing centres being housed in poorly maintained and aging structures.

• Land Warfare

  Hypersonic threats force Pentagon to modernise its missile defence architecture

  20th December 2023

  The US DoD has been updating policies, enhancing partnerships with allies and acquiring new sensors and systems.

• Land Warfare

  Oshkosh Defense wins contract for more uncrewed JLTV anti-ship rocket systems

  5th October 2023

  Oshkosh delivered six of the JLTV-based anti-ship systems to the USMC earlier this year as part of of the USMC's modernisation plans of Force Design 2030.

• Land Warfare

  NATO tests robotic capabilities at multi-domain operations trials

  2nd November 2023

  The 2023 Next-Generation Communication Networks Technology event featured innovative technologies transforming the battlefield, including drones, ground-robotic systems and a robot dog.

• Land Warfare

  Jankel rolls out armoured Land Cruiser

  7th December 2023

  The British Army is looking to replace its ageing Land Rover fleet in the short term and Jankel’s armoured Land Cruiser could fit the bill.

• Air Warfare

  NATO reveals details of C-UAS exercise

  4th October 2023

  Last month’s completion of NATO’s Technical Interoperability Exercise 2023 (TIE23) C-UAS exercise is expected to inform common standards and policy objectives.

• Land Warfare

  AUSA 2023: New US chassis for Archer

  19th October 2023

  Sweden has placed an order for 48 new Archers for delivery from 2025.

• Land Warfare

  AUSA 2023: US military to progress ‘aggressively’ with the development of C-sUAS solutions

  12th October 2023

  The Pentagon plans to accelerate its development and field efforts as well as improve soldiers’ training to operate the new solutions.

• Land Warfare

  UK fleshes out Boxer programme

  24th January 2024

  ARTEC, a joint venture between Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles and Rheinmetall Military Vehicles Nederland, has produced the Boxer to meet the requirements of several militaries.

• Naval Warfare

  Is Australia’s plan for the surface fleet viable?

  21st February 2024

  Australia’s long-awaited Enhanced Lethality Surface Combatant Fleet review has recommended significant changes to the future make-up of the country’s surface fleet. It has received sharp criticism from some experts who claim the recommendations have not gone far enough, while others have described it as an attempt to run before being able to walk.

• Naval Warfare

  Kongsberg to develop improved Naval Strike Missile

  24th November 2023

  Kongsberg’s Naval Strike Missile was developed in the early 2000s and delivered to the Norwegian Armed Forces from 2011 to 2015. The new missile will be a collaborative project between Norway and Germany and has been planned to be deployed on both countries' naval vessels.

• Training

  Simulated M4 carbine addition to XR platform declared as ‘major leap forward’

  23rd November 2023

  HGXR and Haptech have teamed up to create a realistic virtual military training system that uses a simulated M4 carbine with recoil and data capture features.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  DSEI 2023: BAE Systems and QinetiQ ink UAS partnership

  13th September 2023

  The initial phase of the collaboration involves testing BAE Systems' autonomous mission management system on both companies' UAS.

• 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.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• UAS: communication systems

  UAS: communication systems | Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) (Phase II) [USA]

  In 2018, the US Army selected the FLIR Systems Black Hornet Personal Reconnaissance System (PRS) for Phase I of its Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) programme. ...

• UAS: flight control systems

  UAS: flight control systems | Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) (Phase II) [USA]

  In 2018, the US Army selected the FLIR Systems Black Hornet Personal Reconnaissance System (PRS) for Phase I of its Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) programme. ...

• Military UAS - small

  Black Hornet 3 PRS (UK)

  Programme Background The British Army operated approximately 160 first-generation Black Hornet PD-100 nano UAS between 2013 and 2017, when the decision was made to retire ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  French Operational Pocket Drone / DrOP (France)

  Programme Background French UAV Procurment / DrOP Under its 2019-2025 Military Programming Law (LPM), France aims to introduce 1,200 new UAVs into service with the ...

• Loitering munitions

  Organic Precision Fire - Light (OPF-L) [USMC]

  Programme Background Force Design 2030 The USMC Force Design 2030 is a modernisation effort to create a lighter, more agile maritime force. In May 2022, an annual ...

• Military UAS - small

  Bug Nano UAS (UK)

  Programme Background The British Army previously took delivery of 160 first-generation Black Hornet PD-100 nano UAS in 2013 to support operations in Afghanistan. After these ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) (Phase II) [USA]

  Programme Background Requirement The Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) provides short-range day and night ISR to US Army units at the squad, platoon and other small ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Black Hornet 3 (First Order) [Norway]

  Programme Background First Batch The Norwegian Home Guard has procured the Black Hornet 3 to provide each of its districts with a nano UAS that ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  DEF129 Nano UAS [Australia]

  Programme Background DEF129 The Australian Ground Service has combined various army procurement efforts under the DEF129 programme to increase the abundance and proliferation of UAVs ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Black Hornet 3 (Second Order) [Norway]

  Programme Background First Order The Norwegian Home Guard has procured the Black Hornet 3 to provide each of its districts with a nano UAS that ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Black Hornet 3 (Ukraine Aid) [UK & Norway]

  Programme Background Russo-Ukraine War Since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022, UAVs have proved vital to the country's defence. Consequently, as in this programme, the ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Black Hornet 3 (Ukrainian Aid) [Norway]

  Programme Background Previous Purchases Norway has purchased two batches for its use, the first in October 2020 and the second in June 2022. International Fund ...

• Patrol boats

  Mk VI Patrol Boat - Ukraine (1-6)

  Programme Background The Mk VI is described as the USN's next-generation patrol boat and is currently in service with the US Navy's Coastal Riverine Forces (CRF). The ...

• Patrol boats

  Mk VI Patrol Boat - Ukraine (7-8) Optional

  Programme Background The Mk VI is described as the USN's next-generation patrol boat and is currently in service with the US Navy's Coastal Riverine Forces (CRF). The ...

• Patrol boats

  Mk VI Patrol Boat - Ukraine (9-16)

  Programme Background The Mk VI is described as the USN's next-generation patrol boat and is currently in service with the US Navy's Coastal Riverine Forces (CRF). The ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• EO/IR systems

  FLIR 111

  The FLIR 111 is a compact, lightweight navigation system for attack and utility helicopters. It features integration, low power consumption, a mechanical interface and a ...

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  SWIR Components – FPAs and Sensor Assemblies

  FLIR Systems produces COTS staring focal plane arrays (FPAs) and sensor assemblies based on the company’s InGaAs detectors and integrated circuit technology. FLIR FPAs and ...

• ED 605 Falcon

  The ED 605 is a hexarotor platform designed for light cargo transport, as well as surveillance and infrastructure inspection. The company lists standard payloads as ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  PD-100 Black Hornet

  The PD-100 Black Hornet personal reconnaissance system (PRS) is designed for dismounted close-combat soldiers, providing them with an immediate reconnaissance capability with minimal increase in ...

• Loitering munitions, Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Rogue 1

  Unveiled in May 2024, the Rogue 1 is a rotary-wing quadcopter UAV from Teledyne FLIR. The drone can be armed with an explosively formed penetrator (EFP), ...

• Military UGVs

  Ripsaw M3

  The Ripsaw M3 is a tracked UGV developed by Textron Systems in partnership with Howe & Howe and Teledyne FLIR Systems. The vehicle has been developed ...

• Military UGVs

  Centaur

  The Centaur is a military UGV developed specifically for the US Army's Man Transportable Robotic System Increment II (MTRS Inc II), a requirement for a ...

• EW test systems

  RISS

  The Real-Time IR/EO Scene Simulator (RISS) provides a set of integrated products for development, test and evaluation of IR and EO sensor systems. Software and ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Black Hornet 3

  The Black Hornet 3 is the next generation of the PD-100 Black Hornet, the world's smallest nano-UAS. This new model of the Black Hornet provides ...

• Air: Displays

  MFD66

  The MFD66 Multi-Function Display has been developed by Thales, France. It is a fully coloured high-resolution display with a Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) map capable ...

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

  R80D SkyRaider

  The military-grade R80D SkyRaider VTOL small UAS is an open-architecture, multi-mission aircraft. Manufactured by Teledyne FLIR System exclusively for US DoD and Federal Agencies, the ...

• Naval guns

  Mk 46

  The Mk 46 is a 30mm Naval Weapon System developed and produced by General Dynamics Land Systems. Fitted onboard four different classes of USN vessels, ...

• EO/IR systems

  NTS/NTSA

  Night Targeting System (NTS)/NTS Advanced (NTSA) is an upgrade of the AH-1 Cobra family’s TOW sight. It can designate for laser-guided weapons including Hellfire. NTSA deletes ...

• Maritime patrol

  MSA

  Boeing unveiled its mid-tier MSA at the Farnborough International Airshow in 2014. The aircraft is based on the Bombardier Challenger 604 series. The MSA is ...

• Weapon sights for night use (thermal imaging)

  Firefly

  Britannia’s Firefly thermal weapon sights utilise FLIR Systems' Tau-2 thermal camera to provide imaging at extended ranges. The sights enable target identification in environments including ...