• Air Warfare

  FIA 2026: Vectored thrust boosts Shield AI X-BAT's VTOL capability

  22nd July 2026

  Integration of the Axisymmetric Vectoring Exhaust Nozzle (AVEN) has been achieved by Shield AI and GE Aerospace on the X-BAT vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) uncrewed strike aircraft.

• Air Warfare

  “Fifth-gen capability without the cost”: how autonomous strike can change the face of air warfare

  13th July 2026

  In Conversation… Armor Harris, Senior Vice President for Aircraft at Shield AI, talks to Shephard’s Gerrard Cowan about why cost-effective autonomous aircraft are a game-changer for air forces worldwide, and the key roles played by VTOL and AI as enabling technologies.

• Air Warfare

  Eurosatory 2026: How could air forces integrate autonomous wingmen into existing fleets?

  15th June 2026

  From mobile launch trailers to ship decks, software and platforms such as Shield AI’s Hivemind and its X-BAT and V-BAT are positioning autonomous systems as a credible force option for militaries priced out of traditional airpower.

• Air Warfare

  European Defence Agency picks Airbus Helicopters’ Capa-X for M2UAS project

  5th March 2026

  The multi-mission uncrewed platform project is aiming to help the EU agency define new drone designs that are capable of performing a wide range of mission sets with one adaptable airframe.

• Naval Warfare

  How far will the US Navy’s FF(X) design deviate from the Legend-class?

  21st January 2026

  The new frigate class’s focus on modularity, speed to build and enhanced armament align with the priorities of the US Navy’s Golden Fleet.

• Air Warfare

  Eurosatory 2026: L3Harris prepares ground for future Polish AEW&C replacement

  17th June 2026

  L3Harris is positioning its AERIS X aircraft and a planned Polish industrial partnership as it anticipates a competition to replace Poland’s Saab 340 fleet.

• Land Warfare

  Milrem outlines plans for Havoc and Vector as Ukrainian THeMIS numbers set to double

  5th March 2026

  Milrem’s THeMIS uncrewed ground vehicle is one of the most battle-proven medium UGV platforms in service, with the company looking to have production versions of new large platforms ready before the end of the decade.

• Air Warfare

  L3Harris begins work on South Korean AEW&C aircraft, eyes further international opportunities

  18th February 2026

  The company remains upbeat about its Indo-Pacific and European prospects, with its AERIS X system onboard a Bombardier 6500 proving an attractive option for air forces’ growing AEW&C needs.

• Naval Warfare

  Funding for the future US Navy Trump-class battleship sparks controversy in Congress

  26th June 2026

  Lawmakers question the US Navy’s proposed $2 billion investment in the Trump-class battleship as concerns over cost, technology maturity and operational relevance fuel growing bipartisan scrutiny on Capitol Hill.

• Land Warfare

  DroneShield signs agreements and US contract in the face of surging demand

  30th June 2026

  DroneShield has been at the forefront of CUAS capability despite being founded only 12 years ago. The company’s early move into the counter-drone arena has put it on the crest of the rapidly expanding technology field.

• Air Warfare

  US Air Force prepares to test uncrewed F-16 VISTA in challenging scenarios

  8th January 2026

  Th mission systems upgrade of the X-62 VISTA variant of the F-16 will allow the air force to evaluate the jet in more demanding environments.

• Air Warfare

  “A dominant force”: empowering Europe’s airborne ISR in a new era

  1st May 2026

  European militaries face a new security landscape, with the proliferation of drones, theatre ballistic missiles and other threats boosting requirements for airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and related systems. For L3Harris, missionised business jets are central to meeting these needs, providing capability and flexibility in a cost-effective package.

• Land Warfare

  NATO’s Crystal Arrow factors in Ukrainian UGV lessons as European interest grows

  19th May 2026

  One goal of NATO’s Exercise Crystal Arrow was to identify the potential uses of uncrewed ground vehicles – as seen on the Ukrainian battlefield – and put platforms into the hands of users.

• 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.

• Air Warfare

  Singapore Airshow 2026: CCA manufacturers eye growing opportunities in Asia-Pacific

  9th February 2026

  Companies offering collaborative combat aircraft say there is a massive potential for countries adopting the capability in the Asia-Pacific region.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - small

  Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) Project [UK]

  Programme Background Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) Project The British Army launched the RAS project to provide the "direction required to exploit emerging technologies to ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  6x6 APC (Batch 2) [Philippines]

  Programme Background First Contract The Philippine Army has identified an urgent need for new wheeled APCs, after the Battle of Marawi exposed shortcomings in its ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  RQ-21 Integrator [Belgium]

  Programme Background Strategic Vision for Defence The Belgian MoD outlined plans to procure more mini and tactical UAS in its Strategic Vision for Defence published ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  6x6 APC [Philippines]

  Programme Background Programme Background The Philippine Army has identified an urgent need for new wheeled APCs, after the Battle of Marawi exposed shortcomings in its ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | TF-X Kaan Next Generation Fighter [Türkiye]

  The Turkish government announced the TF-X program, also known as the Milli Muharip Uçak (MMU)- National Combat Aircraft, in 2010 to replace its F-16 fleet. ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | TF-X Kaan Next Generation Fighter [Türkiye]

  The Turkish government announced the TF-X program, also known as the Milli Muharip Uçak (MMU)- National Combat Aircraft, in 2010 to replace its F-16 fleet. ...

• Data links

  Data links | TF-X Kaan Next Generation Fighter [Türkiye]

  The Turkish government announced the TF-X program, also known as the Milli Muharip Uçak (MMU)- National Combat Aircraft, in 2010 to replace its F-16 fleet. ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | TF-X Kaan Next Generation Fighter [Türkiye]

  The Turkish government announced the TF-X program, also known as the Milli Muharip Uçak (MMU)- National Combat Aircraft, in 2010 to replace its F-16 fleet. ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | TF-X Kaan Next Generation Fighter [Türkiye]

  The Turkish government announced the TF-X program, also known as the Milli Muharip Uçak (MMU)- National Combat Aircraft, in 2010 to replace its F-16 fleet. ...

• Fighter - multirole

  TF-X Kaan Next Generation Fighter [Türkiye]

  Programme Background Requirement Geopolitical factors have spurred aircraft development in Türkiye. With its removal from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter project following the Russian S-400 ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  X-Bat [Poland]

  Background Polish involvement Speaking in June 2026, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that Shield AI offered Poland a role in the X-Bat programme, with the ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | SSN(X) Programme [USN]

  The US Navy may be far from reaching the end of procuring the current Virginia-class nuclear attack submarines (SSNs), but that does not mean planning for ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | SSN(X) Programme [USN]

  The US Navy may be far from reaching the end of procuring the current Virginia-class nuclear attack submarines (SSNs), but that does not mean planning for ...

• Submarines: nuclear/attack

  SSN(X) Programme [USN]

  Programme Background Requirements The CRS SSN(X) report states the USN is examining three broad design options for future submarines. One is based on the current ...

• Destroyers

  Next-Generation Large Surface Combatants (LSC) - DDG(X) [USN]

  Programme Background Requirements The US Navy (USN) is acknowledging a need to move away from the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer design, which is slowly outgrowing. Flight III ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Land: battle management systems

  Torch-X HQ

  Torch-X HQ is a C4ISR solution for tactical and strategic-level headquarters. Procured by Elbit Systems, the platform provides real-time data integration, advanced voice and video services as ...

• Land: battle management systems

  Torch-X Mounted

  Elbit Systems Torch-X Mounted is a battle management solution that notably includes fire control capability and AI-powered decision support tools. According to news sources, the ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Torch-X Maritime

  Produced by Elbit Systems, the Torch-X Maritime is a combat management system which combines mature COTS components into an open-architecture C4I suite. Notably, the system ...

• Air: mission management systems, Land: battle management systems

  Torch-X Air

  Elbit Systems Torch-X Air is an integrated solution aimed at the tactical air controller operational process. The system is capable of providing a common operational ...

• Light UGVs

  Probot

  The 4x4 Professional Robot (Probot) is suitable for various applications, both indoor and outdoor, and is designed to carry a payload of up to 700kg. ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  E-LynX MP Vehicular

  Elbit Systems' E-LynX MP (7200MP-VD55) is a dual-channel vehicular SDR that supports VHF, UHF and L-Band transmissions. The radio features VOIP and analogue interface support, Blue ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - small

  Thor

  Thor is a VTOL small-UAV manufactured by Elbit Systems. The platform is designed for ISR missions and features a real-time HD data link and unique ...

• Medium UGVs

  Rook

  The Rook is a 6x6 multipurpose UGV developed by Elbit in partnership with Roboteam. Conceived to carry heavy payloads in a wide range of environments, the ...

• Space: radar systems

  TerraSAR-X and ​TanDEM-X

  TerraSAR-X and the more advanced TanDEM-X (TerraSAR-X add-on for digital elevation measurement) are designed to operate closely together to generate an accurate 3D image of ...

• Unguided Medium Calibre Ammunition

  PELE Ammunition

  Rheinmetall's Penetrator with Enhanced Lateral Effect (PELE) Ammunition is available in 20 mm x 102, 25 mm x 137, 27 mm x 145 and 30 mm ...

• Unguided Medium Calibre Ammunition

  FAPDS

  Rheinmetall's Frangible, Armour-Piercing, Discarding Sabot Ammunition (FAPDS) is designed to defeat hard and semi-hard targets and is available in 25 mm x 137, 27 mm x 145 ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems, Land: unattended sensor/surveillance systems

  Spynel-X

  Spynel-X is a passive wide-area surveillance system with automatic intrusion detection and tracking capabilities. The sensor can perform 24/7 early human intrusion alerts over a ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  Rapier X-SkySAR

  The Rapier X-SkySAR is an Italian UAV designed by Sky Eye Systems for civil and military missions. As its name suggests, the UAV features an ...

• Unguided Medium Calibre Ammunition

  APFSDS-T Ammunition

  Rheinmetall’s APFSDS-T is available in 25 mm x 137, 30 mm x 173 and as ballistically matched practice ammunition.

• Land: air defence radar

  X-TAR

  The X-Band Tactical Acquisition Radar (X-TAR) is a fully coherent X-band radar designed for such applications as early warning for MANPADS and guns or tactical ...