• Digital Battlespace

  Orbit contributes to next-gen F-16 avionics suite

  24th August 2020

  The US subsidiary of Israeli electronics company Orbit Communications Systems has been selected by Lockheed Martin to develop and produce audio management systems for the future …

• Air Warfare

  Sweden again proposes Gripen for Croatia

  9th September 2020

  Saab announced on 9 September that representatives of the Swedish Defence Material Administration (FMV) and the Swedish Embassy in Croatia have submitted a government-to-government proposal …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Japan may renege on its Global Hawk acquisition

  18th August 2020

  Domestic media in Japan reported on 13 August that Tokyo is considering cancelling its purchase of the RQ-4B Block 30(I) Global Hawk. The Japan Air …

• Defence Notes

  Russia eyes its chances as time runs out on Iranian arms embargo

  24th August 2020

  The UN Security Council (UNSC) on 14 August rejected a US call to extend the arms embargo on Iran that was imposed as part of …

• Digital Battlespace

  F-15E core processor to be repaired

  21st August 2020

  Honeywell International will repair the advanced display core processor (ADCP) and digital mapping service on Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft. Under a $20.8 million contract …

• Air Warfare

  Offers on the table as Canada edges closer to future fighter buy

  31st July 2020

  Canada will move immediately to examine three government proposals as part of the country’s C$15-19 billion ($11-14 billion) Future Fighter Capability Project (FFCP), following 31 July …

• Defence Notes

  Lockheed Martin homes in on Europe for F-35 growth

  24th July 2020

  In attempting to reach a F-35 Lightning II programme of record amounting to 3,500 aircraft, Lockheed Martin remains firmly focused on maximising business opportunities in …

• Land Warfare

  Latest BMP-3 upgrade includes increased protection and firepower

  1st September 2020

  Russian manufacturer Kurganmashzavod unveiled the BMP-3M Manul, the latest heavily upgraded version of the BMP-3 IFV, at the Army 2020 exhibition near Moscow on 23-29 …

• Defence Notes

  IDF demands extra funding with Iran in its sights

  6th August 2020

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is proposing a funding boost for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), citing ongoing tensions with Iran and its proxies in …

• Air Warfare

  New AMRAAM sale to Japan moves closer

  27th August 2020

  Japan is set to receive more AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM, after the US State Department gave the green light for Raytheon Missile Systems to sell 32 of …

• Air Warfare

  USAF favours Lockheed for follow-on Raptor sustainment

  21st August 2020

  The USAF has earmarked Lockheed Martin to provide sole-source lead integrator services for future modernisation of the F-22A Raptor.  A presolicitation notice for the Advanced …

• Air Warfare

  More F-16s in the pipeline for FMS customers

  17th August 2020

  Lockheed Martin is to produce new F-16 fighter aircraft for FMS customers over the next ten years, under a $62 billion contract from the US Air …

• Military Logistics

  Philippines pursues new transport aircraft

  12th September 2020

  The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is looking to purchase five Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Hercules aircraft to bolster its inadequate transport fleet, according to the head …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  First Loyal Wingman ground tests occur in Australia

  16th September 2020

  Boeing Australia announced on 15 September that the first ground engine tests of the Loyal Wingman unmanned aircraft had taken place. This is a necessary step before …

• Training

  AI proves its mettle in AlphaDogfight

  21st August 2020

  The third and final competition in the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) AlphaDogfight Trials has now taken place to evaluate how AI algorithms …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A Denmark

  Denmark joined the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program in 2002 during the System Development and Demonstration phase and has influenced technical elements of the ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A Japan

  In 2019, Japan requested to be an official partner in the F-35 programme, but this request was rejected by the Pentagon. The F-35 Joint Strike ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Multirole Fighter [Turkiye]

  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that Turkey had already paid $1.4 billion into the programme, while its defence industry has ploughed significant sums into ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A (61-75) [Italy]

  Programme Background Requirement In 2009, the Italian MoD planned to purchase 131 F-35 aircraft, which was later reduced to 90. According to the MoD documentation, ...

• Fighter - naval

  F-35B (31-40) [Italy]

  Programme Background Requirement In 2009, the Italian MoD planned to purchase 131 F-35 aircraft, which was later reduced to 90. According to the MoD documentation, ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | F-X III Phase II (F-35)

  South Korea is purchasing an additional 20 F-35 aircraft for about $3.3 billion under the second phase of F-X III programme, according to the Defense ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | F-X III Phase II (F-35)

  South Korea is purchasing an additional 20 F-35 aircraft for about $3.3 billion under the second phase of F-X III programme, according to the Defense ...

• Data links

  Data links | F-X III Phase II (F-35)

  South Korea is purchasing an additional 20 F-35 aircraft for about $3.3 billion under the second phase of F-X III programme, according to the Defense ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | F-X III Phase II (F-35)

  South Korea is purchasing an additional 20 F-35 aircraft for about $3.3 billion under the second phase of F-X III programme, according to the Defense ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | F-X III Phase II (F-35)

  South Korea is purchasing an additional 20 F-35 aircraft for about $3.3 billion under the second phase of F-X III programme, according to the Defense ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  Next-Generation Trainer Aircraft - UAE

  The UAE has a requirement for a next-generation fighter aircraft and possible platforms include F-35, F-16V, F/A-18, Rafale and Su-35. The UAE has historically sought ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A (1-32) [Poland]

  Programme Background During MSPO 2021, Lockheed Martin announced details related to F-35A manufacturing for the Polish Air Force. According to J.R McDonald, Lockheed Martin’s VP, business ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A Japan Follow On

  The F-35 full-rate production is expected to be further delayed following an October 2020 US DoD announcement that postponed the simulation tests, originally planned for 2017 ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | F-35B Follow-On [UK]

  The Royal Air Force is planning to acquire 90 F-35B Joint Strike Fighters from 2026, in addition to the 48 aircraft which London had ordered for delivery ...

• Data links

  Data links | F-35B Follow-On [UK]

  The Royal Air Force is planning to acquire 90 F-35B Joint Strike Fighters from 2026, in addition to the 48 aircraft which London had ordered for delivery ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air-to-surface missiles, Anti-ship missiles

  JSM

  The Joint Strike Missile (JSM) is a multi-role version of the Naval Strike Missile. Norway funded the programme to develop and produce the JSM for the ...

• EO/IR systems

  F-35 Lightning II Advanced EOTS

  The F-35 Lightning II Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) is a sensor that combines targeting forward-looking IR (FLIR) and IR search and track (IRST) capabilities for ...

• Fixed wing aircraft engines

  F135

  The F135, designed and developed by Pratt & Whitney, is one of the most advanced fighter engines in the world that delivers more than 40,000lb ...

• Fighter - multirole, Fighter - naval

  F-35B

  The F-35B Lightning II is a fifth-generation multirole combat aircraft with short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) capability. The USMC is the main customer for the F-35B, ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  F-35 Gen III HMDS

  The F-35 Gen III helmet-mounted display system (HMDS) is provided by a joint venture between Elbit Systems of America and Rockwell Collins, developed for the F-35 ...

• Unguided Medium Calibre Ammunition

  25mm PGU-48/B

  The 25mm PGU-48/B is a medium-calibre armour-penetrating round manufactured by American Rheinmetall. The US Air Force uses the PGU-48/B with its F-35 aircraft.

• Fighter - multirole, Fighter - naval

  F-35C

  The F-35C Lightning II, also known as the F-35 carrier variant (CV), is a fifth-generation multirole combat aircraft in carrier configuration. It has larger wings and ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A

  The F-35A Lightning II is a fifth-generation multirole combat aircraft with CTOL capabilities. It is a multinational programme led by the US DoD, bringing together ...

• Air: AEW/fire control radar

  AN/APG-81

  AN/APG-81 is operating in the X-band active electronically scanned array (AESA) fire control radar designed by Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems for the F-35 “Lightning” all-weather ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  F-35 Training System

  BAE Systems is involved in F-35 Lightning II Training System design and sustainment, working with prime contractor Lockheed Martin. BAE Systems leads the instructional systems ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-130J Super Hercules

  The KC-130J Super Hercules is a tanker variant of the C-130J Super Hercules. It is designed to deliver fuel to several platforms, including helicopters and ...

• Air: Displays

  Panoramic Cockpit Display

  Developed by L3Harris and Elbit Systems America, the Panoramic Cockpit Display (PCD) is a touchscreen MFD integrated into F-35 aircraft. It provides two electronically divided ...

• Fixed wing aircraft engines

  F414-GE-400

  The F414-GE-400 is a turbofan engine manufactured by GE Aviation and has various advanced technology features such as a Full Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC), ...

• Guided munitions

  GBU-53/B StormBreaker

  GBU-53/B StormBreaker is a precision-guided glide bomb developed by Raytheon to equip F-15, F/A-18 and F-35. It is also known as the Small Diameter Bomb II. The StormBreaker includes a ...

• Data links

  Multifunction Advanced Data Link

  Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL) is a Ku-band data link designed for fifth-generation aircraft. The directional, interflight system is integrated into all F-35 variants, allowing ...