• Uncrewed Vehicles

  DSEI 2017: Wave Glider makes a splash

  14th September 2017

  The latest iteration of the Liquid Robotics Wave Glider USV is now able to survive in demanding environments up to sea state six and greater, the …

• Land Warfare

  Japan puts AAV7 through its paces

  6th September 2017

  For the first time, the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF) performed a mobility demonstration of one of its new BAE Systems AAV7A1 amphibious assault vehicles …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  DSEI 2017: Hensoldt revealed XPeller (video)

  6th September 2017

  As the misuse of small UAVs become an increased threat, Hensoldt spoke to Shephard about its counter UAS system, the XpellerTM, earlier in 2017.

• Land Warfare

  DSEI 2017: UK soldier modernisation marches on

  5th September 2017

  The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) continues to advance its soldier modernisation initiatives including plans to introduce a lighter ballistic plate for dismounted troops by …

• Naval Warfare

  MSPO 2017: Shipbuilders continue to position for Orka programme

  7th September 2017

  European manufacturers continue to jostle for Poland’s ongoing Orka programme, which will see a new class of three submarines constructed for the Polish Navy. The …

• Land Warfare

  Koalitsiya-SV testing on track

  7th September 2017

  Testing of the Russian Army’s new Koalitsiya-SV artillery gun will be completed in 2019, the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on 4 September. The …

• Land Warfare

  MSPO 2017: ​First Krab howitzers delivered

  4th September 2017

  The Polish Army has officially received the first Regina artillery squadron armed with Krab 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzers.  The official handover ceremony took place on …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  MSPO 2017: Raptor hoverbike draws attention

  5th September 2017

  Defence shows and exhibitions often showcase unexpected platforms or designs to the visiting public and VIPs, occasionally presenting a system or technology that flies in …

• Naval Warfare

  DSEI 2017: Maintaining the fleet (video)

  6th September 2017

  As the Royal Navy looks to integrate new vessels into its fleet, including the new Type 26, Shephard spoke with BAE Systems' Type 23 class output …

• Land Warfare

  MSPO 2017: Rafael pushes Trophy in Eastern Europe

  3rd September 2017

  As Russia continues to modernise its land capabilities and pose a potential threat to the region, countries in the Eastern Europe are looking at boosting …

• Training

  Virtual trainers for LCS crew

  15th September 2017

  The US Navy has installed a number of interim virtual training systems for Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) crew training while the LCS Training Facility (LTF) …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Endeavor receives UGV support order

  4th September 2017

  Endeavor Robotics has received a $15 million order from the US government for upgrades and accessories to support currently fielded UGVs, the company announced on …

• Land Warfare

  MSPO 2017: Tracked IFVs remain key focus

  11th September 2017

  Tracked IFVs from both domestic and foreign companies were out in force at this year’s MSPO exhibition, a sign that industry remains focused on a …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  DSEI 2017: Unmanned skies over Europe (video)

  6th September 2017

  UAV programmes in Europe are dominated by France and the UK with work continuing on the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) design between the two nations.  The …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  GA-ASI opens new FTTC hangar

  4th September 2017

  General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) has opened its new Flight Test and Training Centre (FTTC) hangar at the Grand Sky Unmanned Aircraft System Business Park …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• 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) (Uncontracted) [USMC]

  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 update ...

• Loitering munitions

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

  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 ...

• 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

  Black Hornet 4 [Switzerland]

  Background Announcment Teledyne FLIR Defense announced on 2 February 2026 that it had received a $17.5 million contract from armasuisse, the Swiss Federal Office of ...

• 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 - mini

  Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Sensor Integration on Robotic Platforms (CSIRP) [US Army]

  Background  Requirements The purpose of the CSIRP is to repackage and integrate modular CBRN sensors onto uncrewed systems to provide increased situational awareness on the ...

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

  Black Hornet 4 [Germany]

  Programme Background BAAINBw In February 2025, Shephard reported that Teledyne FLIR had been awarded a $15 million contract from Germany’s Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology ...

• 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

  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 - MALE

  Anka-B [Türkiye]

  Programme Background TAI announced in November 2019 that it had delivered a total of 22 Anka-B UAVs to the Turkish Navy. Two large contracts contributing ...

• 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 ...

• Loitering munitions

  Low Altitude Stalking and Strike Ordnance (LASSO) [US Army]

  Background Launch The Program Executive Office Soldier, a US Army organisation responsible for rapid prototyping, procurement, and equipment fielding, launched the effort in May 2023 and ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• EO/IR systems

  FLIR 111

  The FLIR 111 is a field-proven, high-performance, compact, and lightweight Forward Looking InfraRed (FLIR) system designed for utility and attack helicopters.  It is jointly produced ...

• EO/IR systems

  KUH FLIR

  The KUH FLIR is an IR system from Hanwha Systems for the Korean Utility Helicopter (KUH). Hanwha says it provides stable infrared images at night and/or under limited ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• EO/IR systems

  StormCaster-DX

  Unveiled at Modern Day Marine 2022, the Teledyne FLIR StormCaster-DX is a multi-role, low-SWaP laser target designator (LTD) payload designed to affect the STANAG-compliant terminal ...

• EO/IR systems

  Star SAFIRE III

  The Star SAFIRE III was a military-qualified COTS multipurpose and gyro-stabilised airborne platform carrying seven payloads. Manufactured by Teledyne FLIR, the now out-of-production system featured internal navigation, ...

• 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 equipped with an explosively formed penetrator (EFP), ...

• Military UAS - mini

  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 ...

• 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 ...

• Light 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 ...

• EO/IR systems

  Hadron 640 (series)

  The Hadron 640 is a series of dual thermal and visible camera modules from Teleydyne FLIR. The dual-sensor payload is designed to be integrated into UAVs ...

• EO/IR systems

  GS410 Stabilised Multi-Sensor Targeting System

  The GS410 Stabilised Multi-Sensor Targeting System was a single-unit surveillance gimbal with four-axis stabilisation that could be adaptable to various airborne platforms.  It featured a forward-looking infrared ...

• EO/IR systems

  Star SAFIRE 380-HD

  The Star SAFIRE 380-HD is a EO/IR system from Teledyne FLIR. It combines HD IR, colour, and SWIR spectral information in a single video channel downlink. Various customers ...

• EO/IR systems

  Sea Star Safire III

  The Sea Star SAFIRE III is an out-of-production EO/IR system manufactured by Teledyne FLIR. A maritime variant of the Star SAFIRE III, the system had an MWIR ...