• Naval Warfare

  Japan is developing a new small sea mine

  16th August 2023

  Japan is developing a new kind of small sea mine that can be laid from such platforms as its new Mogami-class frigates.

• Defence Notes

  USMC adapts to new strategic realities caused by Chinese actions and ambitions

  23rd August 2023

  Returning to its roots in many senses, the USMC is working hard to transition to expeditionary operations in the Western Pacific region.

• Air Warfare

  Inside Hamas' Arsenal: Rockets, drones, loitering munitions and tactics deployed in the assault on Israel

  10th October 2023

  Hamas has stunned experts with a sophisticated assault on Israel, leveraging Iranian-backed weaponry and training. The attack, featuring swarms of rockets and UAVs, has revealead a diverse arsenal, including the the Al-Zawari UAV and the repurposed Shebab drone.

• Land Warfare

  Australia sees inexplicably steep price rise for additional HIMARS

  21st August 2023

  Questions need to be asked at the steep inflation, in the order of a magnitude of 2.5, that the US is asking for HIMARS.

• Training

  Lockheed wins Littoral Combat Ship trainer contract

  12th July 2023

  Lockheed Martin has been awarded a contract worth up to $99 million to provide modernisation and technical support for Littoral Combat Ship training devices.

• Air Warfare

  Ukraine to receive Rheinmetall LUNA NG recon drones

  14th August 2023

  Ukrainian defence forces will this year receive Rheinmetall LUNA NG short-range reconnaissance UAS, an order described by the company as ‘worth a low double-digit million Euro amount’.

• Land Warfare

  UK's Project Morpheus land forces communications programme falling short

  26th July 2023

  The UK's existing Bowman system will continue to soldier on, as while other aspects of the wider LETacCIS comms programme progress, Morpheus currently does not have an agreed initial operational capability date.

• Air Warfare

  China’s J-20 fighter hits milestone with suspected first flight with WS15 engines

  7th July 2023

  The consensus amongst the open-source community is that China has test-flown a J-20 powered fully by WS15 engines for the first time.

• Land Warfare

  Brazilian Army outlines future acquisitions under Land Forces 2040 programme

  15th August 2023

  The army is interested in procuring C2, EW, ISR and communication solutions as well as helicopters. It also plans to invest in AI, automation and 3D printing as well as in bio, cyber and quantum technologies.

• Land Warfare

  DSEI 2023: UK-developed Venom revolver cannon to equip Turkish remote weapon stations

  8th September 2023

  The Venom LR, revolver cannon developed by UK-based AEI Systems, offers features such as reduced recoil, multiple firing modes and compatibility with standard 30mm ammunition. It is now being integrated onto Unirobotics' Trakon remote weapon station (RWS).

• Digital Battlespace

  Redefining Modern Warfare: Multi-Domain Operations and the Shift to Integrated Communications across the Force (Studio)

  25th October 2023

  The multi-domain operations (MDO) concept is now a core focus for the US and its allies. The paradigm has significant implications for communications technology as militaries seek to integrate platforms and systems across different networked communications domains.

• Air Warfare

  Northrop Grumman opens new hypersonic propulsion facility

  7th August 2023

  Northrop Grumman has opened a hypersonic capability centre (HCC) in Elkton, Maryland, to produce advanced propulsion solutions that can power hypersonic missiles beyond Mach 5, the company announced on 3 August.

• Naval Warfare

  New Babcock-PGZ JV offers export potential

  29th August 2023

  As construction on the first of three new frigates for the Polish Navy got underway, a new Joint Venture (JV) industrial arrangement between the frigate contractors, Babcock and PGZ, was announced.

• Naval Warfare

  HII authenticates keel of Virginia-class attack submarine Oklahoma

  3rd August 2023

  HII's Newport News Shipbuilding division (NNS) has authenticated the keel of the Virginia-class attack submarine Oklahoma (SSN 802), marking an important milestone in the construction process of the first boat built to Block V standard.

• Air Warfare

  Norway to receive three F-35 fighters this week, while new operator gets ready to join the programme

  10th May 2023

  Lockheed Martin is set to deliver three F-35A fighters to Norway this week as the company prepares to integrate an undisclosed customer into the fifth-generation fighter programme.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Data links

  Data links | Future Aircrew Training Program [Fixed-wing Aircraft Procurement] - Canada

  Canada is planning to acquire around 64 fixed-wing trainer aircraft. The Royal Canadian Air Force will renew aircrew training services to help maintain a multi-purpose ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | Future Aircrew Training Program [Fixed-wing Aircraft Procurement] - Canada

  Canada is planning to acquire around 64 fixed-wing trainer aircraft. The Royal Canadian Air Force will renew aircrew training services to help maintain a multi-purpose ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | Future Aircrew Training Program [Fixed-wing Aircraft Procurement] - Canada

  Canada is planning to acquire around 64 fixed-wing trainer aircraft. The Royal Canadian Air Force will renew aircrew training services to help maintain a multi-purpose ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | Future Aircrew Training Program [Fixed-wing Aircraft Procurement] - Canada

  Canada is planning to acquire around 64 fixed-wing trainer aircraft. The Royal Canadian Air Force will renew aircrew training services to help maintain a multi-purpose ...

• Military helicopters - light/training

  Future Aircrew Training Program (Helicopter Procurement) - Canada

  The new procurement will result in one contract covering all the requirements, including maintenance and infrastructure services. Training services are currently provided through two separate ...

• Data links

  Data links | Beechcraft King Air 260 [Canada]

  In January 2025, SkyAlyne, on behalf of the Canadian Airforce's Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) programme, for seven Beechcraft King Air 260 aircraft. SkyAlyne is a joint ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | Beechcraft King Air 260 [Canada]

  In January 2025, SkyAlyne, on behalf of the Canadian Airforce's Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) programme, for seven Beechcraft King Air 260 aircraft. SkyAlyne is a joint ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | Beechcraft King Air 260 [Canada]

  In January 2025, SkyAlyne, on behalf of the Canadian Airforce's Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) programme, for seven Beechcraft King Air 260 aircraft. SkyAlyne is a joint ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | Beechcraft King Air 260 [Canada]

  In January 2025, SkyAlyne, on behalf of the Canadian Airforce's Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) programme, for seven Beechcraft King Air 260 aircraft. SkyAlyne is a joint ...

• Trainer

  Beechcraft King Air 260 [Canada]

  Programme Background  The Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) programme was developed by the Royal Canadian Airforce to renew aircrew training services to help maintain a multi-purpose and ...

• Trainer

  Future Aircrew Training Program [Fixed-wing Aircraft Procurement] - Canada

  Programme Background The new procurement will result in one contract covering all the requirements, including maintenance and infrastructure services. Training services are currently provided through ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  AW101-Norway

  AgustaWestland is also providing initial support and training services, including spares at each of the operating bases and aircrew training. It will then provide performance ...

• Destroyers

  Canadian Surface Combatant/River Class (1-3) [Canada]

  Development and Procurement Requirements Fifteen frigates are being procured to replace the Royal Canadian Navy's 12 ageing Halifax-class frigates and the now-retired Iroquois-class destroyers with ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Future Fighter Capability Project [Canada]

  Programme Background Canada’s defence policy estimates the acquisition of the aircraft, associated equipment and setup to enable entry into service will cost C$15-19 billion ($12.9-14.5 billion). In ...

• Trainer

  Hawk 127 Replacement (Future Lead-In Fighter Training System- Project Air 6002 PH1) [Australia]

  Programme Background Requirements The RAAF is seeking a future solution that provides a ‘relevant, adaptable, affordable and safe LIFTS out to 2050’ for training pilots ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Trainer

  Phenom 100

  Phenom 100 is a very light jet originally developed for single owner-pilot operation but later gained popularity as a jet trainer aircraft. The platform first ...

• Trainer

  T-6A/B Texan II

  The T-6 Texan II is a single-engine trainer aircraft, which was developed from the Pilatus PC-9 to meet the training requirements of USAF and USN ...

• EW test systems

  EWITR

  The EW Instrumented Training Range (EWITR) provides threat radar simulators and master control stations for aircrew training in tactics development using modelling and simulation, and ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  T-38C Talon

  FlightSafety supports nearly 40 T-38 training devices as part of its contract for logistics support for the T-38. The T-38C is a converted T-38A/B that ...

• Air: helicopter flight simulators

  HATS

  In October 2014, the Australian government approved a A$700 million (US$530 million) contract award to Boeing Defence Australia, teamed with Thales Australia, to provide the ...

• Trainer

  Beechcraft King Air 260 (T-54A)

  The Beechcraft King Air 260 is a twin-engine turboprop which the USN has selected as part of the Multi-Engine Training System (METS) programme. Ten aircraft were ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  USAF KC-135 ATS

  The KC-135 Aircrew Training System (ATS) programme delivers initial qualification, requalification, continuation and upgrades training for USAF KC-135 aircrews, including pilots, co-pilots and boom operators. ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  USN T-44C Training Services

  In late 2013, CAE USA received a contract to provide the USN with comprehensive T-44C aircrew training services at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas. CAE USA ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  C-130J MATS

  Lockheed Martin’s C-130J Maintenance and Aircrew Training System (MATS) programme provides a range of training devices and support services including aircrew instruction, operations, contractor logistics ...

• Air: air combat simulators

  HITS-A

  Collins Aerospace is the prime contractor designing and developing the first integrated aircrew training systems for the E-2D, leading the Hawkeye Integrated Training System for ...

• Air: helicopter flight simulators

  Tiger Aircrew Training

  Thales provides Tiger aircrew training solutions for the armed forces in Australia, France and Germany. Thales is currently upgrading the systems under the Tiger aircrew training ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  KC-46A ATS

  FlightSafety supports the USAF aircrew training program for the KC-46A Pegasus tanker aircraft. The program delivers a multi-faceted training package to the USAF from design, ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  RCAF CC-130J Training Services

  CAE is the prime contractor for the Operational Training Systems Provider (OTSP) programme to support the 17-strong CC-130J fleet in RCAF service. The first OTSP ...

• Military helicopters - light/training, Military helicopters - multirole

  H135M

  The H135M (formerly known as the EC635 and also designated as H135) is a light utility variant of the EC135 twin-engine, multipurpose 3t helicopter. In ...

• Air: helicopter flight simulators

  US Army Flight School XXI OFT/RCTD

  L3Harris Technologies is a major subcontractor to CSC on the US Army’s Flight School XXI (FSXXI) programme. L3Harris Technologies has built or is under contract ...