• Defence Notes

  Surface Navy: Textron prepares for SSC testing

  13th January 2017

  The first test and training LCAC under the US Navy's Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC) programme - known as LCAC 100 - is due to be delivered this year. …

• Special Operations

  SHOT Show: Kalashnikov reborn (video)

  20th January 2017

  The AK-47 is an iconic rifle that has shaped warfare for several decades, being utilised on most battlefields by militaries and non-state groups. Now, Kalashnikov …

• Digital Battlespace

  Pentagon warns of cyber weakness

  20th January 2017

  Many US DoD networks, and the majority of the department's current acquisition programmes, are not capable of preventing nation-state adversaries from executing cyber attacks. According …

• Special Operations

  SHOT Show: Polaris reveals initial DAGOR timeline

  25th January 2017

  Polaris has revealed its initial delivery timeline of the DAGOR vehicle for Canada’s Ultra-Light Combat Vehicle (UCLV) requirement. The company was selected by the Canadian government in …

• Defence Helicopter

  Crowsnest to provide eyes to Merlins

  16th January 2017

  The UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced that manufacturing of the Crowsnest airborne surveillance system for its fleet of 30 Merlin Mk2s can now begin, following the …

• Land Warfare

  Japan unveils improved 8x8 APC prototype

  16th January 2017

  Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) announced that the first prototype of the Improved Wheeled Armoured Personnel Carrier (WAPC) was delivered to the Japan …

• Digital Battlespace

  Harris to develop narrowband SRW

  13th January 2017

  Harris Corporation will develop a new narrowband mode of the Soldier Radio Waveform (SRW) for the US Department of Defense under a three year contract …

• Land Warfare

  The year ahead: European land programmes

  4th January 2017

  In Europe, falling defence expenditure means that most countries are struggling to maintain significant force sizes that can sustain one medium sized operation at a …

• Digital Battlespace

  Nebo enhances Russian early warning

  18th January 2017

  Russia’s Air and Space Forces (RuASF) early warning capabilities were strengthened in 2016 through the commissioning of five Nebo-M long-range multi-band radar systems.  It is …

• Military Logistics

  C295W envelope keeps expanding

  18th January 2017

  A new demonstration carried out by Airbus Defence and Space has seen the C295W transport and tanker conduct air-to-air refuelling contacts with an H225M Caracal helicopter. …

• Land Warfare

  Russia to field more SAM

  19th January 2017

  Russia’s Air and Space Forces (RuSAF) has announced plans for introducing more surface to air missile (SAM) systems into its inventory this year. They are …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Frequentis’ LIS in NASA UAS test

  19th January 2017

  Frequentis' Location Information Service (LIS) provided situational awareness for ground control stations during NASA’s latest UAS Traffic Management (UTM) flight tests in Nevada, the company …

• Military Logistics

  Vector Aerospace to overhaul T56 engines

  24th January 2017

  Vector Aerospace has signed a contract with an unnamed European nation to overhaul the customer's Rolls-Royce T56 turboprop engines, the company announced on 19 January. …

• Defence Helicopter

  Myanmar bulks up on helicopters and aircraft

  23rd December 2016

  The Myanmar Air Force inducted four Airbus Helicopters H120 rotorcraft in a ceremony to mark the service’s 69th anniversary on 15 December.  These are believed …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  CUSV enters water-based testing

  13th January 2017

  On-water testing has begun for the fourth-generation Common Unmanned Surface Vehicle (CUSV), Textron Systems Unmanned Systems announced on 11 January. The company is developing the …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military helicopters - multirole

  UH-60M Black Hawk [Latvia]

  Programme Background In August 2018, the Latvian government approved the acquisition of four UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters. The UH-60Ms are intended for both military and ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  Light Attack/Trainer Aircraft - Ghana

  In 2013, the Chief of Ghana Air Force stated that A-29 is their preferred platform and this position was also submitted to the Government. In ...

• Transport

  C-130J - USAF

  Programme Background The C-130J Super Hercules is a four-engine turboprop transport aircraft developed by Lockheed Martin to replace aging C-130 variants. The US and FMS ...

• Bomber

  B-21 Raider (USA)

  Programme Background The US DoD is developing a new long-range bomber called the B-21 Raider, previously known as LRS-B. At least 100 units are expected ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  T-2E Replacement - Greece

  The average unit cost is estimated to be around $12 million based on the Czech Republic's $48.5 million deal for the purchase of four L-39NG ...

• Trainer

  Trainer Aircraft (1-12) [Vietnam]

  Programme Background After years of operating Russian-built military equipment, Vietnam is more willing to procure US-supplied equipment following the lifting of the arms embargo in ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  UH-60M Black Hawks [Greece]

  Programme Background In October 2023, Greece submitted a formal request to acquire 49 Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters as replacements for the Army's Bell UH-1s after launching ...

• Military helicopters - light/training

  Bell 505 (Jordan)

  Programme Background Requirement The Jordanian Air Force has a requirement for training helicopters that are to be used in the King Hussein Air College. The country ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  Huey II

  The last announced contract, valuing at $19 million, was awarded to Bell by US Army to supply Lebanon Air Force with there furnished Huey IIs ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Penetrating Counter Air (PCA)

  USAF is working on Penetrating Counter Air (PCA) aircraft concept which may replace F-15C/Ds and F-22s in service and complement F-35s. Boeing, Lockheed Martin and ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | Penetrating Counter Air (PCA)

  USAF is working on Penetrating Counter Air (PCA) aircraft concept which may replace F-15C/Ds and F-22s in service and complement F-35s. Boeing, Lockheed Martin and ...

• Data links

  Data links | Penetrating Counter Air (PCA)

  USAF is working on Penetrating Counter Air (PCA) aircraft concept which may replace F-15C/Ds and F-22s in service and complement F-35s. Boeing, Lockheed Martin and ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | Penetrating Counter Air (PCA)

  USAF is working on Penetrating Counter Air (PCA) aircraft concept which may replace F-15C/Ds and F-22s in service and complement F-35s. Boeing, Lockheed Martin and ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | Penetrating Counter Air (PCA)

  USAF is working on Penetrating Counter Air (PCA) aircraft concept which may replace F-15C/Ds and F-22s in service and complement F-35s. Boeing, Lockheed Martin and ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Penetrating Counter Air (PCA) [USA]

  USAF is working on Penetrating Counter Air (PCA) aircraft concept which may replace F-15C/Ds and F-22s in service and complement F-35s. Boeing, Lockheed Martin and ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: EO/IR – Jamming Systems

  AN/AAQ-45

  Leonardo’s AN/AAQ-45 Distributed Aperture Infrared Countermeasures is designed to equip rotorcraft. The system is being installed on Sikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawk medium-lift utility helicopters used ...

• Air: Electronic Attack - Jamming

  J/ALQ-8

  Like Israel, Japan elected to outfit its McDonnell Douglas/Boeing F-15J/DJ combat aircraft with an indigenous self-protection system. This takes the form of Mitsubishi Electric’s J/ALQ-8 ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  FAB-T Force Element Terminal

  The Family of Advanced Beyond Line-of-Sight Terminals - Force Element Terminal (FAB-T FET) is a nuclear-hardened SATCOM solution designed for airborne applications. Produced by Raytheon, ...

• 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.

• Unguided Medium Calibre Ammunition

  25mm PGU-23/U

  The 25mm PGU-23/U is a medium-calibre training round manufactured by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems. The US Air Force utilises it with its AC-130 and ...

• Fighter - air superiority

  F-5E/F Tiger II

  The F-5E (single-seat)/F (twin-seat) Tiger II is an air superiority fighter developed by Northrop Grumman based on the original F-5 Freedom Fighter. Production of the ...

• Land: soldier modernisation systems - industry programmes

  Warrior Systems

  General Dynamics Mission Systems is prime contractor and system integrator for the US Army’s Warrior soldier systems, which include Air Warrior, Future Force Warrior, Land Warrior ...

• Air: mission management systems

  TBMCS

  Theater Battle Management Core Systems (TBMCS) is a US joint C2 integrated BMS used to plan and execute air campaigns in theatres of operations worldwide. ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• Unguided Medium Calibre Ammunition

  30mm PGU-13B High Explosive Incendiary

  The 30mm 30mm PGU-13B High Explosive Incendiary (HEI) is a medium-calibre munition manufactured by Northrop Grumman. The US Air Force uses the PGU-13B HEI with ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-4 Phantom II family

  The F-4 Phantom II is a two-seat multirole fighter developed originally by McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) to meet USN interceptor requirements. It soon became a unified ...

• 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 ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  EMB-312 Tucano

  The EMB-312 Tucano (Brazilian designation T-27) is a trainer and light attack aircraft developed by Embraer to meet the training requirements of the Brazilian Air ...

• Air: Integrated Defensive Systems

  AN/ALQ-213(V) DAC

  Terma’s AN/ALQ-213(V) electronic warfare management unit is used extensively on General Dynamics/Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon series combat aircraft around the world. The AN/ALQ-213(V) is ...