Air Warfare
US Air Force prepares next stage of E-3 Sentry modernisation
12th May 2026
The USAF intends to conduct the second phase of the DRAGON programme from FY2026 to FY2030, while the future of the E3 replacement remains unknown.
Latest news
Air Warfare
Pentagon confirms it will continue with the acquisition of E-7 Wedgetails for US Air Force
The Pentagon has sent an amendment to the Office of Management and Budget, according to Pete Hegseth, including funds for the procurement of E-7 Wedgetails in FY2027.
Naval Warfare
A closer look at the US Navy’s $268 billion investment in shipbuilding by 2031
The recently released USN 2026 Shipbuilding Plan anticipates the procurement of 185 crewed and uncrewed platforms in the next five years.
Air Warfare
US Air Force prepares next stage of E-3 Sentry modernisation
The USAF intends to conduct the second phase of the DRAGON programme from FY2026 to FY2030, while the future of the E3 replacement remains unknown.
Naval Warfare
Australia’s Mogami-class frigates to feature RTX SeaRAM defence system
Under a contract with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Raytheon will provide SeaRAM launchers, blast test vehicles and technical services for the Royal Australian Navy’s Sea3000 General Purpose Frigate programme.
Naval Warfare
First Canadian River-class destroyer to have its keel laid in June
12th May 2026
Currently at the block fabrication and construction stage, the HMCS Fraser’s keel-laying ceremony is scheduled to take place next month as a step towards increasing the Royal Canadian Navy's anti-submarine and air defence capabilities.
Naval Warfare
Australia’s Mogami-class frigates to feature RTX SeaRAM defence system
11th May 2026
Under a contract with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Raytheon will provide SeaRAM launchers, blast test vehicles and technical services for the Royal Australian Navy’s Sea3000 General Purpose Frigate programme.
Land Warfare
Rheinmetall’s Lynx XM30 to go to “shakedown testing” ahead of its delivery to the US Army
8th May 2026
The first Lynx XM30 platforms are in the final stages of construction and integration, to be handed over to the US Army in the coming months. Shephard caught up with Rheinmetall to find out more about the programme's progress.
Naval Warfare
Canada boosts Arctic presence as CCGS Donjek prepares for sea trials this year
6th May 2026
CCGS Donjek is currently being prepared to start testing and be handed over to the Canadian Coast Guard in the second half of 2026.
Naval Warfare
US Navy to accelerate the replenishment of SM-6 stocks as demand continues to surge
5th May 2026
The Naval Sea Systems Command exercised a US$335 million modification to a contract with RTX Raytheon to support increasing the production of Standard Missiles 6 by 2030. Shephard spoke with the company president about how the company has scaled to meet demand.
Land Warfare
Textron unveils a smaller, low-cost variant of the Ripsaw family of UGVs
29th April 2026
Ripsaw M1 has been designed to support the US Marine Corps’ littoral missions by carrying diverse types of payloads and performing multiple missions. Shephard spoke with Textron to find out more.
Defence Notes
Teledyne FLIR adds GPS-denied 3D-mapping capabilities to its CBRN uncrewed platforms
28th April 2026
In a partnership with Emesent, Teledyne FLIR will equip its autonomous air, ground and detection systems with the Hovermap LiDAR payload in a move that highlights a broader market shift towards modular architectures, shared payloads and interoperability across platforms.
Naval Warfare
US Coast Guard to receive the first three Offshore Patrol Cutters in FY2026 and FY2027
27th April 2026
After recording a nearly six-year delay in the OPC schedule, the USCG intends to advance with the programme, reaching multiple milestones in the short term.
Naval Warfare
Lockheed Martin confirms 2029 target date for US Navy’s Aegis/PAC-3 MSE integration
23rd April 2026
Enabling Aegis-equipped vessels to launch PAC-3 MSE interceptors will give the USN more options to engage highly manoeuvrable hypersonic missiles – including the ones China has been developing.
Defence Notes
US seeks 32% boost for missile defence budget with $23 billion earmarked for interceptors
22nd April 2026
The Pentagon’s proposed budget for the next fiscal year includes an impressive increase in the procurement of interceptors, with the number of the US Army’s PAC-3 MSE rounds expanding by 683%, the US Navy’s Standard Missile by 365% and the MDA’s SM-3 IIA by more than 1,000%.
Land Warfare
Raytheon unveils land version of the Next Generation Jammer
20th April 2026
The ground-based NGJ is designed to work as an “invisible shield” to protect land structures and assets. Shephard spoke with Raytheon to find out more.
