• Defence Notes

  FY2022 budget request delivers air power spending hit

  2nd June 2021

  Unsurprisingly, fifth-generation fighter funding dominates air power spending in the latest US defence budget request, but the retirement of over 200 US Air Force aircraft and a one-year delay to MH-139A helicopter plans are among the more eye catching subplots this time around.

• Land Warfare

  Kromek participates in large-scale US CBRN exercise

  2nd July 2021

  The exercises demonstrated the importance of radiation detectors that operate with speed and sensitivity of detection.

• Training

  US base selected to host Singapore F-16s and F-35s

  6th June 2021

  Singapore has selected a new American base from which to locate its F-16 and F-35 training detachments.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Boeing completes historic unmanned air-to-air refuelling test

  10th June 2021

  Boeing and the US Navy have demonstrated the first successful test of unmanned air-to-air refuelling.

• Air Warfare

  Bell pushes on with V-280

  25th June 2021

  Team Valor is applying lessons learned from a multiyear flight-test programme and Soldier Touchpoint events, in preparation for an RfP from the US Army for the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft.

• Land Warfare

  Bumerang takes a small step towards autonomy

  1st July 2021

  Manufacturer VPK claims to have made progress on developing a remotely controlled version of the Bumerang 8x8 — but it hard to see the Russian Ground Forces adopting it soon.

• Digital Battlespace

  USAF issues Silent Barker contract

  17th June 2021

  L3Harris supports programme to improve satellite threat intelligence and space situational awareness.

• Air Warfare

  DoD awards Polish F-35 support contract

  1st June 2021

  Lockheed Martin receives a support contract from the US DoD for F-35s on order from Poland.

• Land Warfare

  India, Netherlands and Spain to receive Excalibur

  17th June 2021

  Three FMS customers will obtain the M982 Excalibur 155mm guided shell.

• Naval Warfare

  USN seeks minehunting technical support

  17th June 2021

  Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific will source hardware and software support for surface and subsurface mine countermeasure systems.

• Naval Warfare

  Competition kindled for Korea’s controversial carrier

  10th June 2021

  An as-yet-unapproved light carrier, and an indigenous close-in weapon system (CIWS), grabbed the headlines at South Korea's MADEX naval exhibition.

• Naval Warfare

  USN issues shipboard ASW contract to Leidos

  14th June 2021

  AN/SQQ-89 systems receive, combine and process active and passive sensor data from the hull-mounted array, towed array and sonobuoys.

• Air Warfare

  Rafael sells BNET-AR to Asian air force

  15th June 2021

  Israeli company finds Asian customer for airborne software-defined radios.

• Military Logistics

  RUAG receives US approval for J85-GE21 engine repair and maintenance

  1st June 2021

  Source Approval Request means that RUAG can conduct MRO work on engines powering the F-5 fighter.

• Land Warfare

  Singapore introduces new mortar carrier and weapon locating radar

  30th June 2021

  In pursuit of its overarching 'next-gen' modernisation philosophy, the Singapore Army has inducted the AN/TPQ-53 radar and Belrex 120mm SRAM

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | F-35A (61-75) [Italy]

  In September 2024, the Italian MoD launched a white paper with provisions for an additional 15 F-35A and 10 F-35B aircraft for €7 billion ($7.79 billion). ...

• Data links

  Data links | F-35A (61-75) [Italy]

  In September 2024, the Italian MoD launched a white paper with provisions for an additional 15 F-35A and 10 F-35B aircraft for €7 billion ($7.79 billion). ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | F-35A (61-75) [Italy]

  In September 2024, the Italian MoD launched a white paper with provisions for an additional 15 F-35A and 10 F-35B aircraft for €7 billion ($7.79 billion). ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | F-35A (61-75) [Italy]

  In September 2024, the Italian MoD launched a white paper with provisions for an additional 15 F-35A and 10 F-35B aircraft for €7 billion ($7.79 billion). ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | F-35A (61-75) [Italy]

  In September 2024, the Italian MoD launched a white paper with provisions for an additional 15 F-35A and 10 F-35B aircraft for €7 billion ($7.79 billion). ...

• 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 - multirole

  F-35I Adir (51-75) [Israel]

  Programme Background On 15 February 2015, Israel signed an FMS deal to procure 33 F-35A (F-35I Adir) fighter aircraft with an option of 17. Israel ...

• 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 ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | 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 ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | 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 ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | 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 ...

• 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 ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | F-35B (31-40) [Italy]

  In September 2024, the Italian MoD launched a white paper with provisions for an additional 15 F-35A and 10 F-35B aircraft for €7 billion ($7.79 billion). ...

• Data links

  Data links | F-35B (31-40) [Italy]

  In September 2024, the Italian MoD launched a white paper with provisions for an additional 15 F-35A and 10 F-35B aircraft for €7 billion ($7.79 billion). ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: Displays

  GH-4200

  L3Harris GH-4200 Electronic Standby Instrument System (ESIS) is a repeater display designed for F-15 and F/A-18 aircraft.

• Fighter - air superiority

  F-15J/DJ

  The F-15J and F-15DJ "Peace Eagle" are variants of the F-15 Eagle air-superiority tactical fighter aircraft manufactured by Mitsubishi for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.  

• Air: Integrated Defensive Systems

  F-15 Tactical Electronic Warfare Suite (TEWS)

  The F-15 Tactical Electronic Warfare Suite (TEWS) is an integrated defence system manufactured by Northrop Grumman. It is designed for the F-15, F-15K and F-15E ...

• Fighter - air superiority

  F-15 Eagle

  The F-15 Eagle is a group of air-superiority tactical fighter aircraft that includes the F-15A/B/C/D models. The F-15A "Streak Eagle" and F-15C are single-seat versions used ...

• Air: Electronic Attack - Jamming

  AN/ALQ-135

  The AN/ALQ-135, manufactured by Northrop Grumman, is a mounted active jamming system carried on the F-15C and F-15 E combat aircrafts. The system is a ...

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  Ophir Lightweight IR Zoom Lenses

  The LightIR thermal imaging zoom lenses include the 20-275mm f/5.5 mediumwave IR(264gr) and the 15-75mm f/1.2 longwave IR (320gr). Both lenses are lightweight and high-performance, ...

• Guided munitions

  Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM)

  The Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) is a guidance kit developed for the USAF and USN that converts unguided bombs into all-weather ‘smart’ munitions. JDAM-equipped ...

• EO/IR systems

  IRST

  IRST is a passive, long-range IR search and track (IRST) sensor system that detects and tracks airborne threats in electronic attack and heavy countermeasure environments. ...

• Air: chaff, flare and decoy systems

  FG-3/-6/-9 IR Flares

  The FG-3/-6/-9 IR Flares are fully compatible in form, fit and function with M206 and MJU-7B flares respectively, and they all use magnesium/PTFE cartridge pellets. ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  JHMCS II

  The Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) is a joint USAF/USN programme that has fielded over 5,000 systems. The JHMCS is qualified on F-15, F-16 and ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16A/B Block 1, 5, 10, 15, 20

  The F-16 Fighting Falcon programme started as a low-cost, highly manoeuvrable day fighter to complement the higher-cost, heavier McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle air superiority fighter. ...

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  7020-1-D-01

  The 7020-1-D-01 is an athermal longwave infrared fixed-focal-length assembly, 25mm F/1.0. It supports multiple detectors with pitch from 15-50µm and designed for general thermal imaging ...

• Air: air combat simulators

  Pakistan Air Force F-16C ATDs

  The F-16C Aircrew Training Devices built by L3Harris Technologies for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) became ready for training in 2014. Both simulators, one a ...

• 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 ...

• Air: chaff, flare and decoy systems

  IRCM Flares

  Kilgore develops and manufactures a range of airborne IR decoy flares. These are compatible with most available dispenser systems. Standard flare products manufactured include: MJU-7A/B, ...