Defence Notes
US air superiority effort faces uncertain funding
8th August 2019
The USAF is trying to stave off a deep budget cut to its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) technology development programme. While the air force …
Latest news
Defence Notes
Canada weighs up options to replace equipment sent to Ukraine
Canada has been considering its plans for replacing military equipment donated to Ukraine for its fight against invading Russia forces, including howitzers, tanks, missiles and small arms.
Uncrewed Vehicles
US DoD seeks to boost small drone industry
A new Pentagon initiative is aiming to stimulate the development of a domestic SUAS industry to rival China’s DJI, the world’s leading provider of such …
Land Warfare
US kill vehicle terminated
The US DoD is terminating development of an improved kill vehicle for its existing long-range interceptor missile, citing ‘technical design problems,’ and will instead launch …
Naval Warfare
US Navy ponders prolonging Los Angeles subs
The US Navy is studying whether to extend the service life of some of its ageing Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) by 12 years …
Naval Warfare
Elevator woes linger on new US carrier, as ‘nightmare weapon’ concerns raised
2nd August 2019
The US Navy is struggling to fix technical problems with the advanced weapons elevators on the first Ford-class aircraft carrier, according to a key senator. …
Uncrewed Vehicles
How US Army Futures Command is tackling autonomy
31st July 2019
US Army Futures Command (AFC) has been spending much of its time trying to turn cutting-edge unmanned system concepts into reality, according to the command’s …
Naval Warfare
US Southern Command to host Littoral Combat Ship
12th July 2019
The US Navy plans to send a Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) to US Southern Command’s region in October to bolster efforts to stem illegal …
Naval Warfare
US Navy aims for expeditious MCM host alternative
12th July 2019
The US Navy plans to begin testing a Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) mine countermeasures (MCM) mission package (MP) on an Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) this …
Training
US Navy eyes new Arctic training exercise
2nd July 2019
The US Navy and Marine Corps plan to conduct a new, large-scale amphibious training exercise in Alaska this year to improve their ability to operate …
Naval Warfare
US Navy stresses simplicity in unmanned vessel design
25th June 2019
The US Navy wants its future unmanned vessels to have simpler designs than manned ships to ensure they are relatively inexpensive and can therefore be …
Naval Warfare
US Navy pleased with industry input on Large Surface Combatant
23rd June 2019
The US Navy, which released two RfIs for its future Large Surface Combatant (LSC) in February 2019, has received responses from more than 30 potential …
Naval Warfare
US lawmakers raise concerns about enemy swarms
17th June 2019
Worried that the US Navy’s surface ships might be vulnerable to hostile swarms of drones or other unmanned systems, a congressional panel is calling on …
Digital Battlespace
US Air Force studying options for new battle management system
14th June 2019
A key study on the US Air Force’s (USAF) future Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) is on track to be finished this fall, according to …
Naval Warfare
US lawmakers aim to ease ‘Buy America’ restrictions on new frigate
10th June 2019
To avoid a potential snag in the competition to build the US Navy’s future guided missile frigate (FFG(X)) a congressional panel has approved a proposal …
Defence Helicopter
Optionally piloted Black Hawk begins flight tests
7th June 2019
Sikorsky has begun flight testing a UH-60 Black Hawk equipped with a new retrofit kit designed to turn the helicopter into an optionally piloted vehicle …
