• Training

  ITEC 2016: Helo gunner training goes virtual (video)

  18th May 2016

  Australian company Virtual Simulation Systems is displaying its complete aircrew training system (CATS) at this year's ITEC exhibition in London. The system is designed for …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  SAS 2016: Proteus progress proclaimed

  18th May 2016

  Huntington Ingalls Industries and Battelle used this week’s Sea-Air-Space exposition to spotlight their ‘Proteus’ dual-mode submersible prototype. The undersea vehicle development by the two companies …

• Defence Helicopter

  Leonardo introduces TH-119 helicopter

  18th May 2016

  Leonardo-Finmeccanica has introduced the TH-119, a military training variant of the AW119 single engine helicopter, the company announced on 16 May. The aircraft is specifically …

• Defence Notes

  SAS 2016: Kinetic generators unveiled – but concerns remain

  18th May 2016

  The US Marine Corps (USMC) Expeditionary Energy Office unveiled the latest models of its kinetic energy knee generators at the Sea-Air-Space exposition in Washington DC. …

• Digital Battlespace

  Malaysia continues network-centric funding

  18th May 2016

  The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) needs to continue adequately funding its Network-Centric Operations (NCO) project if it is to reap future rewards. This was the …

• Training

  ITEC 2016: BAE to invest in joint training

  18th May 2016

  BAE Systems is putting significant investment into its training capabilities specifically focusing on joint training between land, sea and air. ‘We are in a unique …

• Defence Helicopter

  ASIO system to be displayed on H145

  18th May 2016

  Kazakhstan Aviation Industry and BIRD Aerosystems have developed an Airborne Surveillance, Intelligence and Observation (ASIO) package for the H145s in service with the Kazakhstan Armed Forces. The …

• Training

  ITEC 2016: Robotic arm aids immersive sim (video)

  17th May 2016

  German company BEC Motion Simulators is showcasing a unique simulator system that utilises technology from industrial robotics.  Shephard caught up with the company on the …

• Military Logistics

  Mantech wins support contract

  17th May 2016

  ManTech International announced that it has been awarded a potential $44.2 million prime contract by the US Department of Defense on 16 March to provide …

• Training

  ITEC 2016: Porrima Simulations makes an entrance

  17th May 2016

  Porrima Simulations is presenting its company and solutions for the first time at ITEC in London. The joint venture between VEAO Simulation and Eventuality UK …

• Defence Helicopter

  SAS 2016: ShotFinder to be tested in the US

  17th May 2016

  Orbital ATK is advancing its ShotFinder acoustic hostile fire detection system, company representatives explained at the ‘Sea-Air-Space’ exposition in Washington DC. The system provides detection …

• Training

  ITEC 2016: Airbus UAS trainer ready to fly

  17th May 2016

  Airbus Defence and Space (DS) is showcasing its customer-ready UAS Mission and Tactics Training (MTT) at ITEC in London. The generic system can be used …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  AeroVironment details Blackwing UAS

  17th May 2016

  The US Navy plans to deploy a new small tube-launched UAS called Blackwing from its submarines and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), AeroVironment announced on 16 …

• Training

  ITEC 2016: BMT opens VR record store

  17th May 2016

  First time exhibitors BMT Reality Studios is showcasing its new virtual reality immersive training offering Engage at ITEC in London. The company is showcasing two scenarios at the …

• Digital Battlespace

  Cobham introduces SOLSTx family

  17th May 2016

  Cobham has announced the development of a new family of Gallium-Nitride (GaN) solid state transmitter solutions for ground, maritime and airborne radar applications. Called SOLSTx, …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Light attack, Trainer

  PC-21 (Project Air 5428) [Australia]

  The new PTS, including aircraft, flight training simulators and learning environments is being acquired from a single capability contractor, Team 21, which consists of Lockheed ...

• Transport, Transport/tanker aircraft

  Project Air 7404 [Australia]

  Programme Background Requirement Australia is thinking ahead to an enlarged transport fleet to replace the current C-130Js. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) was the second ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-35A (Project Air 6000 Phase 2A/B) [Australia]

  Programme Background The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) took delivery of 18 F-35A aircraft as of March 2020 and the remaining aircraft are expected to ...

• Military UAS - HALE

  MQ-4C Triton (5-6) [Australia]

  Background Four Contracted Units In the summer of 2020, Northrop Grumman announced that the Australian Government provided $333 million for three MQ-4C Tritons and associated GCS. ...

• Medium Range Missile Defence Systems: 20-90km range

  Medium Range Air Defence [Australia]

  Background Faced with a growing threat from China and a vast land and sea territory to protect, Australia is seeking to establish a medium-range ground-based ...

• Patrol boats

  Evolved Cape Class (13-14) [Australia]

  Programme Background Austal was awarded a contract to build six 'Evolved'Cape-class patrol boats for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) on 1 May 2020 (see separate ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) [Australia]

  Background Older Efforts On 23 April 2021, the US State Department's Foreign Military Sales (FMS) approval announcement revealed that Australia had requested to buy up ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  Project Air 7003 [Australia]

  Programme Background Requirement The Royal Australian Air Force has been without a UAS capability since the Heron was withdrawn in mid-2017. According to Defence Minister Linda Reynolds, ...

• OPVs

  Arafura Class (Project SEA 1180) (1-6) [Australia]

  Programme Background Australia's new class of Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV), the Arafura-class, will replace the Royal Australian Navy's (RAN) fleet of Armidale and Cape-class patrol ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  MQ-28 Ghost Bat [Australia]

  Background Goal As stated by the Head of Air Force Capability, Air Vice-Marshal Robert Denney, in March 2022, the Ghost Bat will be an "operational system ...

• Loitering munitions

  Mission Talon Strike [Australia]

  Background Request for Tender (RFT) On 19 May 2025, the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA), an agency aimed at streamlining defence invocation for the Australian Defence ...

• Military UAS - small

  VTOL UAV [New Zealand]

  Background Defence Capability Plan (DCP) In April 2025, the New Zealand government published the DCP, a document that is essentially a blueprint for what procurements ...

• 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 ...

• Military UAS - small

  DEF129 (Tactical UAS) [Australia]

  Programme Background Programme Announcement The Australian Army announced the Project Land 129 Phase 3 programme in 2017. This announcement led to the release of an industry ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  Harpii Szpon (Loyal Wingman) [Poland]

  Background Market Evaluation On 6 November 2023, speaking at the IQPC International Fighter Conference (IFC) 2023 in Madrid, Major General Cezary Wiśniewski, the Deputy General Commander of the ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: Integrated Defensive Systems

  Air-5416 Project Echidna

  Air-5416 Project Echidna was an initiative launched in 2001 by BAE Systems for the Australian DoD. Its goal was to overhaul the self protection systems ...

• Trainer

  King Air trainer

  Textron / Beechcraft King Air trainers are a family twin-engine aircraft based on King Air 90, 100, 200 and 350 utility aircraft. The King Air ...

• Air: helicopter flight simulators

  Australian Defence Force MRH90 Training

  As prime contractor for the ADF's MRH90 training programme, CAE has provided two MRH90 full-flight mission simulators (FFMS), training facilities and engineering and support services. ...

• Air: air combat simulators

  RAAF Hawk Mk 127 FMS

  Under subcontract to BAE Systems, CAE is designing and manufacturing three Hawk Mk 127 full-mission simulators (FMS) for the Royal Australian Air Force that will ...

• Military UAS - mini

  Wanderer

  The Wanderer is a low-altitude, low-cost, long-endurance UAV produced in-house by the Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) Jericho Disruptive Innovation Group and the Australian Government's Defense Science ...

• Light attack

  Hawk 200

  The Hawk 200 is a single-seat light attack iteration of the Hawk 100 (see separate entry) and Advanced Jet Trainer or AJT (see separate entry). ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  MQ-28A Ghost Bat

  The MQ-28A Ghost Bat is a loyal wingman-type, Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), MALE fixed-wing drone being developed by Boeing Defence Australia. Its development began in ...

• Military - USVs

  Bluebottle

  Bluebottle is a persistent, autonomous, uncrewed surface vessel from Ocius Technology in service with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF). In ...

• Air: UAV simulators

  Predator Mission Trainer (PMT)

  The CAE Predator Mission Trainer (PMT) is an integrated platform that combines the features of CAE's UAS mission trainer with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems' Predator-specific ...

• Maritime patrol

  Challenger 604

  Bombardier Challenger CL-604 MPAs are in service with the Royal Danish Air Force and the Korea Coast Guard. The first of three Danish aircraft entered ...

• Military UAS - micro

  Phantom 4 (Series)

  Designed for aerial photograph applications by DJI, the Phantom 4 series of UAVs includes the Phantom 4 Pro, Phantom 4 Pro V2.0, Phantom 4 Advanced ...

• LTVs - 4x4

  Hawkei

  Thales Australia developed the 4x4 Hawkei for the Australian Army's Land 121 Phase 4 Protected Mobility Vehicle – Light (PMV-L) project.  The prototype was unveiled in ...

• Air: COMINT and ELINT systems

  AN/ALR-2001

  BAE Systems’ AN/ALR-2001 Electronic Support Measure (ESM) is thought to be based on Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI) Elta Systems division’s EL/M-8382 ESM. The AN/ALR-2001 is ...

• Air-to-surface missiles

  AGM-88E AARGM

  The AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) is a supersonic, medium-range, air-launched tactical missile compatible with US and allied strike aircraft. Designed to upgrade the AGM-88 ...

• Military UAS - mini

  M Solar-X

  First revealed in August 2020, in February 2024, at its symposium, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) showcased the M Solar-X. This solar-powered fixed-wing drone was ...