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Global defence news, analysis and data insights across air, land, naval and military training. Shephard’s team of expert journalists cover new equipment and technology coverage, capability development, acquisition plans, contract awards and more.

Air Warfare

CH-47 Chinook: why the timeless helicopter design is still a heavy-lift contender on the modern battlefield

From its emergence as a ground-breaking design in the 1950s to its widespread deployment in diverse operations worldwide, the Chinook continues to leave an indelible mark on the aviation landscape. Shephard sums up the latest developments and tells you everything you need to know about the workhorse of many armies and air forces in the 2020s.

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Training

US Navy embraces AI to enhance training

25th September 2023

In a strategic move to expedite training development and analysis, the US Navy is planning to harness the power of AI.
Defence Helicopter

Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters

25th September 2023

The Argentinian Air Force (FAA) and the Argentinian Naval Aviation Command (COAN) are looking for options to upgrade their helicopter fleets.
Digital Battlespace

Leidos to support DoD Joint Staff C2 system under $74 million contract

22nd September 2023

Leidos has been awarded a five-year, $74 million contract to provide analytical and engineering support for Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2) to the US DoD Joint Staff (JS) J6 Joint Assessment Division (JAD).
Training

US assists Philippine Air Force ISR training

22nd September 2023

At the request of the Philippine government, the 505th Training Squadron located at Hurlburt Field, Florida sent a team of USAF Air Operations Center Formal Training Unit instructors to Villamor Air Base, Philippines.
Naval Warfare

German Armed Forces successfully concludes laser weapon demonstrator trials

22nd September 2023

The German Armed Forces has successfully completed trials of the laser weapon demonstrator (LWD) at sea, proving its combat effectiveness against various targets in realistic operating conditions.
Defence Notes

US provides a further $325 million worth of arms and equipment to support Ukraine, taking total to $43.9 billion since invasion

22nd September 2023

The US on 21 September announced another $325 million in arms and equipment to Ukraine, including missiles, air defence systems, ammunition and vehicles in support of the Eastern European country’s operations against the Russian invasion.
Naval Warfare

Norwegian navy ready to make decision on frigate life support contract

22nd September 2023

The future maintenance and modification of the Royal Norwegian Navy’s (RNoN’s) four remaining Fridjtof Nansen-class frigates is to be decided by the end of the year.
Uncrewed Vehicles

NATO uncrewed maritime exercise under way off the coast of Portugal

21st September 2023

Twenty-five navies, eight NATO entities and more than thirty companies and universities are currently involved in Robotic Experimentation Prototyping Augmented by Maritime Unmanned Systems Exercise 2023 (REPMUS 23), held off the coast of Portugal until 29 September.
Naval Warfare

General Dynamics Electric Boat wins Virginia-class submarine supply contract

21st September 2023

General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) has been awarded a $517.2 million delivery order against a previously issued basic agreement for procurement and delivery of initial Virginia-class attack submarine spare parts to support maintenance availabilities.
Digital Battlespace

DSEI 2023: Controp unveils Smart Vision AI software for EO/IR payloads

21st September 2023

Controp Precision Technologies unveiled its Smart Vision AI software for enhancing the level of autonomy and automation for a variety of surveillance and reconnaissance missions at DSEI 2023.
Training

Elbit UK’s Joint Fires Synthetic Trainer delivers nearly 5,000 training hours

21st September 2023

Elbit Systems UK’s Joint Fires Synthetic Trainer (JFST) has officially achieved Initial Operating Capability (IOC).
Land Warfare

Russia details new T-80 tank variant, reports plans for renewed production

21st September 2023

Russia has introduced an upgraded version of the T-80BVM main battle tank, designed for increased survivability based on combat experiences in Ukraine and aims to restart production of the type after a 20-year gap.
Air Warfare

Honeywell urges Pratt & Whitney to share F-35 engine data or risk costly maintenance and reduced reliability

21st September 2023

'We're getting into a zone where [the engine and the cooling] are going to be out of phase with each other... which means you're going to have to take the [F-35] jet down twice for overhaul and replacement of systems,' Honeywell official tells Shephard.
Land Warfare

Babcock and Cosworth to test hybrid propulsion in militarised Land Cruiser 70

21st September 2023

Babcock has signed an MoU with propulsion experts Cosworth to investigate the use of hybrid power systems in military vehicles and will begin with integrating a Catalytic Generator (Cat Gen) into a 70 Series Toyota Land Cruiser.
Air Warfare

Australia reverses decision on Schiebel Camcopters for naval UAVs

21st September 2023

It turns out that Australia has made absolutely no progress in obtaining shipborne UAVs in the past 18 months or so.
Land Warfare

US increases investments in mortar production capacities

20th September 2023

The US Army and companies of the defence industrial base have been expanding and upgrading their facilities as well as improving capabilities to produce mortar systems and rounds.
Air Warfare

Austria to replace C-130 Hercules with C-390

20th September 2023

Austria plans to replace its retiring C-130 Hercules fleet with Embraer's C-390 military transport aircraft, Defence Minister Klaudia Tanner said on 20 September.
Naval Warfare

L3Harris Technologies awarded $212 million contract for Royal Australian Navy's maritime underwater tracking ranges

20th September 2023

L3Harris Technologies has been awarded a contract valued at A$328 million ($212 million) for the delivery of new Maritime Underwater Tracking Ranges (MUTR) to the Royal Australian Navy as part of SEA1350 Phase 3.
Defence Notes

DSEI 2023 in review: Ukraine, AI and the real world

20th September 2023

DSEI 2023 took place in the shadow of the largest European land war in more than seven decades and a growth in conversations about artificial intelligence (AI) with limited UK immediate defence programme opportunities; many of the new products and exhibitors' announcements reflected this.