Defence Notes
US service chiefs fear effects of funding impasse
The US armed forces have been funded under a Continuing Resolution that will expire on 18 February —and service chiefs fear that a failure to approve a spending plan for the current fiscal year will adversely affect their ability to progress with modernisation efforts.
Land Warfare
US CATV approaches end of test phase
Trials with the BAE Systems Beowulf and the Oshkosh Defense/ST Engineering Bronco 3 will be concluded by the end of January 2022.
Land Warfare
Czechs suffer lingering IFV headache
In a step forward, the recently appointed Czech Minister of Defence defined the BVP replacement as a priority for the country — but in a potential step backwards, Jana Černochová decided that the MoD will reassess the acquisition of 210 new IFVs.
Training
Brazil releases requirements for ASTROS simulator
The new SIS-ASTROS system will enable improvements to Brazilian artillery training.
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Land Warfare
US Army to select next-gen rifle supplier in Q4 2022
17th January 2022
The US Army will select the supplier of the Rifle (NGSW-R) and the Automatic Rifle (NGSW-AR) and begin equipping the first unit in Q4 2022.
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Land Warfare
Argo and Vanguard join forces to produce battery-powered UGV
14th January 2022
The R8 Integrator is an 8x8 skid steer traction UGV that features an electric drivetrain, amphibious capabilities and payload capacity.
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Land Warfare
Belgium acquires nine recovery armoured vehicles
12th January 2022
The Protected Evacuation Vehicle (PEV) will equip all three logistics battalions of the Belgium Army and will provide safe and swift recovery of ground platforms in zones of operations and conflict abroad.
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Land Warfare
Five step up for Slovak AFV tender with contract set for March
11th January 2022
Proposals to meet a Slovak AFV requirement have been submitted by the Czech, Finnish, Romanian, Spanish and US governments, with a contract due to be signed by late March 2022.
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Land Warfare
Lithuania receives enough Boxers for battalion-sized unit
10th January 2022
Deliveries of the Vilkas IFV to Lithuania have been unaffected by delays to the programme, and the defence ministry expects to receive a final batch of vehicles by the end of 2022.
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Land Warfare
Avon failure leaves US Army undeterred on next-gen body armour
7th January 2022
According to the US Army, failures encountered in tests of body armour plates from one supplier will not impact deliveries in the Vital Torso Protection programme.
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Digital Battlespace
Quantum technology attracts French attention
6th January 2022
The French MoD has launched a national quantum computing platform that will perform calculations up to 1 billion times faster than conventional computing. The system will be available to researchers and specialists.
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Defence Notes
HAWC makes strides with further flight tests planned
27th December 2021
Northrop Grumman continues to work on optimising the performance of US hypersonic missiles.
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Land Warfare
Increased European collaboration gives rise to improved artillery capability
23rd December 2021
European countries involved in the PESCO EuroArtillery project and the EDIDP FIRES and E-COLORSS efforts will enhance their collaboration in 2022, aimed at improving their artillery capacities.
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Land Warfare
Slovakia advances acquisition of IFVs and AFVs
22nd December 2021
The Slovak MoD is on track to receive proposals for the supply of 76 8x8 AFVs and 152 IFVs to replace an ageing fleet of BMP-1, BMP-2 and modernised version of the BMP.
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Land Warfare
Future of Ajax remains cloudy
20th December 2021
While the UK MoD issued 20 recommendations in the Ajax health and safety report, Defence Procurement Minister Jeremy Quin claimed that it is impossible to be 100% confident that the programme will succeed.
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Land Warfare
QinetiQ and AM General advance development of hybrid-electric HMMWV
15th December 2021
AM General and QinetiQ intend to put a hybrid-electric military vehicle on the market by 2025. Their next step will involve 15 months dedicated to developing the prototype, then testing and any further iterations and development required ahead of certification.
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Defence Notes
Ambitious Brazil plans to treble defence exports
14th December 2021
Brazil targets further growth after seeing defence exports reach a new record in 2021 — but is this objective realistic or over-ambitious?
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Defence Notes
EU countries seek ways to foster defence innovation
10th December 2021
EDA member states intend to create a Defence Innovation Hub within the agency in order to equip their armed forces with cutting edge systems and enable them to succeed on the battlefield of tomorrow.
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Defence Notes
EDA members look beyond traditional research partners
9th December 2021
EDA member countries are ramping up efforts to involve universities, academic institutions, start-ups, SMEs and non-defence related companies in their programmes to develop innovative solutions.
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Defence Notes
NATO member states join forces to multiply defence R&D
7th December 2021
The NATO’s Science & Technology Organization’s (STO) Collaboration Support Office (CSO) have been working as a collaborative forum. It involves 5,000 scientists and over 300 research activities per year aiming at accessing emerging and disruptive technologies.
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Land Warfare
Future of MRV-P remains unclear
6th December 2021
Procurement of the Multi-Role Vehicle – Protected was not mentioned in the recent Future Soldier plan or the earlier Integrated Review, but the MoD claims that plans have not yet been finalised.
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Land Warfare
Germany tests upgraded Marders
30th November 2021
The German Armed Forces have been running trials with one prototype of the 1A3 version featuring a full conversion kit and one Marder 1A5 with a new engine and drivetrain.
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Digital Battlespace
COW, FUDGE and VINNI tell a tale for Norwegian 5G research
26th November 2021
The Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency is looking to exploit public and private 5G networks and has conducted trials involving a 5G network aboard a trailer as well as the use of gunshot detection systems and drones.
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Land Warfare
EDA launches new land collaborative projects
25th November 2021
New PESCO initiatives include the EU Military Partnership, a platform to discuss strategies, and establishment of a Main Battle Tank Simulation and Testing Centre.
