• Air Warfare

  US Air Force F-15 EW kit completes operational testing

  3rd April 2024

  Designed to offer full-spectrum electronic warfare capabilities for the F-15E and F-15EX fighters, the Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS) will enable freedom of manoeuvre and deeper penetration into battlespaces.

• Training

  US, Japan, Australia and the Philippines conduct major military exercise in South China Sea

  8th April 2024

  The countries conducted a Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) within the Philippine’s Exclusive Economic Zone on 7 April 2024.

• Land Warfare

  Italy picks Rheinmetall and Leonardo for MBT and IFV and gives MGCS a boost

  3rd July 2024

  Italy has been looking replace its Ariete MBTs but has gone back and forth between a future European tank, more Leopards, an upgrade of existing vehicles and other options. It now seems to have thrown its hand in with the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS).

• Naval Warfare

  New medium-class hopper dredge for US Department of Defense

  3rd April 2024

  The medium-class hopper dredge (MCHD) will be constructed in Eastern Shipbuilding Group’s Florida facilities and delivered by 2027.

• Training

  Australian Army acquires immersive countermine training solution

  8th May 2024

  FLAIM Systems announced the award of a $1.32 million contract for the supply of multiple FLAIM Sweepers at the SOF Week 2024 exhibition.

• Defence Notes

  US FY2024 funding package passes as China closes military capability gap

  26th March 2024

  The Pentagon has been operating under temporary funding since October 2023, which has impacted its main acquisition and development programmes, increasing the capability gap between the US and China.

• Land Warfare

  Sweden orders more CV90s to replace vehicles donated to Ukraine

  21st May 2024

  As the domestic manufacturer and original operator of the CV90 IFV, Sweden has had a continuous fleet of CV90s in service since the 1990s. Consisting of a wide variety of variants and upgrade standards, Sweden is reported to have 459 CV90s following the donation of 50 CV90 40Cs donated to Ukraine in 2023.

• Digital Battlespace

  The imperative for a vibrant UK space industry

  6th August 2024

  Ahead of a new Shephard Technology Report to be published in September, senior executives from Lockheed Martin Space have underlined the importance of investing in defence space systems by countries like the UK.

• Training

  Largest combined US-Indian exercise Tiger Triumph 2024 comes to an end

  2nd April 2024

  The bilateral Humanitarian and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise was held from 18–31 March 2024 in India. The 2024 edition marked the third time the exercise had taken place and was the largest to date, according to the US Navy’s Pacific Fleet.

• Land Warfare

  Japan orders THeMIS UGVs

  18th April 2024

  Milrem’s Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System (THeMIS) is a modular, multimission, hybrid UGV. The current fifth-generation model incorporates knowledge gained during tests in the US, Europe and the Middle East, as well as during field-deployment in Mali in the French-led Operation Barkhane.

• Land Warfare

  PAC-3E uses Aegis to intercept live target

  21st May 2024

  The MIM-104F Phased Array Tracking to Intercept of Target (Patriot) Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) is a long-range, medium- to high-altitude, all-weather air defence missile designed to counter tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and advanced aircraft.

• Digital Battlespace

  Space Dominance: How Laser Technologies are Reshaping Modern Military Operations

  27th May 2024

  High-energy lasers and space-based technologies now play a pivotal role in modern military operations, emphasising their role in enhancing communications, surveillance, and security across multi-domain operations, particularly with the increasingly strategic use of space-based capabilities.

• Air Warfare

  How the US Army is preparing its rotary wings fleet for tomorrow’s warfare

  3rd April 2024

  The branch has been upgrading its helicopters with advanced sensors, systems and technologies.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  AI and software companies selected for US Army Robotic Combat Vehicle subsystems

  5th April 2024

  The US Army has intentions to develop light, medium and heavy variants of the Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) as part of the branche’s Next Generation Combat Vehicle family.

• Naval Warfare

  Fincantieri acquires Leonardo underwater business

  10th May 2024

  Fincantieri will acquire the technologies related to Leonardo's torpedo production as well as the control of Italy’s underwater acoustic technologies

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  MiG-35 (Russia)

  The MiG-35 is a new-generation derivative of the twin-engine MiG-29 (NATO code-name ‘Fulcrum’) featuring multi-role combat capabilities, significantly reworked airframe and a vastly expanded arsenal ...

• Loitering munitions

  Organic Precision Fire - Mounted (OPF-M) [USMC]

  Programme Background Armed Vehicles In June 2021, Shephard reported that the USMC had selected the HERO-120 for the OPF-M programme. The USMC planned to integrate ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Tigr-M

  The Tigr-M is a modified variant of the original Tigr design, which replaced the licence-produced Cummins diesel engine with a Russian-designed YaMZ diesel engine. This ...

• Landing platform docks/dock landing ships

  Modified Ivan Green Class (Project 11711)

  Programme Background The modified Ivan Gren class (Project 11711) large amphibious assault ships (LST) have been designed by Nevskoe Design Bureau for the Russian Navy. Two ships ...

• Military UAS - small

  Small UAV (Bulgaria)

  Programme Background The Bulgarian Army wants to procure UAVs to enhance the organic tactical ISR capabilities of its ground forces. According to Bulgarian media, a ...

• Military UAS - mini

  Mini UAV (Bulgaria)

  Programme Background The Bulgarian Army wants to procure UAVs to enhance the organic tactical ISR capabilities of its ground forces. According to Bulgarian media, a ...

• Trainer

  Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS)/T-45 Replacement [USN]

  Programme Background Requirements The US Navy’s (USN) Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) programme is intended to replace the troubled T-45 Goshhawk trainer. The June 2024 RFI includes ...

• OPVs

  Specialised Southern Ocean Patrol Vessel [New Zealand]

  Programme Background Requirements Plans for a new OPV for the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) first came about in April 2016. The RNZN wants to ...

• Tanks

  Viatura Blindada de Combate-Carro de Combate (VBC-CC) [Brazil]

  Programme Background Several key technical requirements have been outlined by the Brazilian MoD. Among the most important are that the platform should weigh less than ...

• VBR-MSR Medium Wheeled Armoured Reconnaissance Vehicle

  Technical Requirements The Brazilian Army released two documents outlining the technical and operational requirements for the VBR-MR programme in early 2020. These outlined a number ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  M-345 (1-18) [Italy]

  Programme Background Requirement Italy operated the MB-339 trainer platform since 1982, procuring 137 aircraft in total. These older airframes required replacement, with the Italian Air ...

• Trainer

  M-345 Italy Future Procurement

  Programme Background On 29 Decemeber 2017, Aermacchi's M-345 High Efficiency Trainer (HET) prototype aircraft successfully completed its first flight from Venegono Superiore airfield in Varese, ...

• Landing platform docks/dock landing ships

  San Antonio LPD 17 Flight I [USN]

  The LPD 17 Flight I ships are the first flight of the San Antonio-class Landing Platform Docks (LPD). Procured between FY1996 and FY2017, the vessels ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | M-346 FA [Brazil]

  Brazil is evaluating the procurement of up to 30 Leonardo M-346 light attack aircraft under a potential agreement with Italy, aimed at modernising its aerial ...

• Data links

  Data links | M-346 FA [Brazil]

  Brazil is evaluating the procurement of up to 30 Leonardo M-346 light attack aircraft under a potential agreement with Italy, aimed at modernising its aerial ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• UAS: Integrated systems - uncrewed

  NavStorm-M

  BAE Systems' NavStorm-M is a gun-hardened, integrated anti-jamming and Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver for artillery rounds, bombs, missiles, and uncrewed systems. It was revealed ...

• UAS: Integrated systems - uncrewed

  LN-251

  Northrop Grumman's LN-251 is an Inertial Navigation System/Global Positioning System (INS/GPS) solution. It is an integrated navigation system with an embedded 12/24 channel, All-In-View, Selective Availability/Anti-Spoofing Module ...

• UAS: Integrated systems - uncrewed

  KN-4074ED SAASM P(Y) Code INS/GPS

  The KN-4074EB SAASM P(Y) Code INS/GPS has an enhanced capability for the KN4074E with P(Y) code equivalent DGPS corrections.

• UAS: communication systems

  N-100-6 GPS Antenna

  The N100-6 GPS antenna offers a polarimetric solution for multiple element outputs, and has been designed to provide a significantly reduced size aperture for anti-jam ...

• Air: Integrated Defensive Systems

  ADA Anti-Jamming System

  The ADA is an airborne GNSS anti-jamming solution manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). It is designed to protect avionics systems from GPS jamming by using digital ...

• Air: Integrated cockpit systems

  Common Open Reuse Environment

  The Lockheed Martin Common Open Reuse Environment (CORE) is an integrated glass cockpit and avionics solution that can interact with both civilian and military systems. ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  PRC-434G/CS

  The PRC-434G/CS personal survival radio is a handheld, lightweight transceiver that is capable of responding to interrogations transmitted by the airborne location system. Short-burst transmissions ...

• UAS: Integrated systems - uncrewed

  KN-4074E

  Produced by Kearfott, the KN-4074E SAASM P(Y) Code INS/GPS is a lightweight navigation system that can be used on various uncrewed or crewed applications, including fixed- and rotary-wing ...

• Subsystems: visual

  EuroSim

  EuroSim is a configurable simulator tool used to support all phases of space and non-space programmes through real-time simulations with a person and/or hardware-in-the-loop, and ...

• Air: surveillance and maritime patrol radar, Air: UAS radar

  Lynx

  The Lynx (AN/APY-8) is a synthetic aperture radar manufactured by General Atomics. It is designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance for manned and unmanned aircraft. According to ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  M-ATV

  The Oshkosh 4x4 MRAP All-Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) family of vehicles is designed to provide high levels of protection and mobility in off-road combat environments such ...

• UAS: Integrated systems - uncrewed

  KN-4075 High Performance INS/GPS

  Kearfott’s KN-4075 High Performance INS/GPS system offers a low weight and small-size navigation system for a variety of rotary- and fixed-wing unmanned and manned aircraft ...

• Air: helicopter flight simulators

  TESS

  The Tactical Engagement Simulation System (TESS) is a transparent training instrumentation system designed for the AH-64 Apache Longbow Force-on-Force collective training for live aerial gunnery ...

• UAS: Integrated systems - uncrewed

  KN-4073C SAASM P(Y) Code INS/GPS

  The KN-4073C SAASM P(Y) Code INS/GPS is a lightweight navigation system that can be used on a range of manned aircraft applications, fixed- and rotary-wing ...

• Maritime patrol

  US-2

  The ShinMaywa US-2 is an amphibious short take-off and landing aircraft used primarily by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) for SAR.