• Defence Notes

  Japan leads way with Li-ion submarines

  16th February 2017

  Japan's first submarine to be powered by lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries will be commissioned in March 2020, doing away with lead-acid batteries and a Stirling air-independent …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  German Heron 1 fully operational in Mali

  11th February 2017

  The Heron 1 deployed by the Luftwaffe to Mali last year reached its full operational capability (FOC) on 1 February after its first flight with …

• Digital Battlespace

  Boeing, USAF sign GPS contract

  3rd February 2017

  Boeing has entered into a sustainment agreement with the US Air Force for the Global Positioning System (GPS) constellations, the company announced on 2 February. …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Kelvin Hughes introduces SMS-D radar

  7th March 2017

  Kelvin Hughes has developed a new UAS detection system called the SMS-D designed for the detection and tracking of small aerial targets.The integrated, medium-range, radar-based …

• Special Operations

  New command transforms European SOF

  2nd March 2017

  On 16 February, three NATO members signed an agreement which could have significant implications for the command and control (C2) structures of the international special …

• Training

  Raytheon developing CCEWIF wargame tool

  20th February 2017

  Raytheon will develop an automated tool that assesses the effectiveness of using kinetic and non-kinetic weapons in wargames, the company announced on 16 February. The …

• Military Logistics

  IDEX 2017: Rubb seeks shelter opportunities

  16th February 2017

  With nations in the Middle East increasing their air power many will now be looking at where to store new aircraft. Hangar systems are an …

• Military Logistics

  IDEX 2017: War reserve win for DynCorp

  14th February 2017

  DynCorp International has been awarded another contract to support the US military's War Reserve Materiel (WRM) programme in the Middle East, following a six-offer competitive …

• Land Warfare

  IDEX 2017: Textron to develop larger turrets

  22nd February 2017

  With an increasing demand for more lethality on vehicles, US vehicle manufacturer Textron has decided to develop its own larger calibre turret line.The company already …

• Land Warfare

  IDEX 2017: Pro-active support offer for high tempo Patriot

  21st February 2017

  The increased use of the Patriot air defence system by Middle East countries means that the maintenance and sustainment requirements become more urgent.Therefore system manufacturer …

• Training

  Aero India 2017: Twin Hawks grow longer talons

  16th February 2017

  Aero India 2017, Bangalore's biennial aerospace show, experienced a convergence of two Hawk flight paths from 14-18 February when both the Advanced Hawk and Hawk …

• Land Warfare

  Raytheon begins Patriot enhancements

  14th February 2017

  Raytheon will enhance the Patriot Air and Missile Defense System under a contract issued by the US Army Contracting Command, the company announced on 13 …

• Military Logistics

  F-22 redelivered to USAF from Speedline facility

  2nd February 2017

  The first F-22 Raptor to undergo work at Lockheed Martin’s Inlet Coating Repair (ICR) Speedline facility has been redelivered to the US Air Force ahead …

• Defence Helicopter

  Sikorsky transfers S-70i to Aselsan

  3rd March 2017

  Sikorsky has transferred an S-70i Black Hawk helicopter to Aselsan for use as the prototype aircraft for the Turkish Utility Helicopter Program (TUHP), the company …

• Digital Battlespace

  Estonia, Spain join EU SatCom Market

  3rd March 2017

  Spain and Estonia have joined the European Defence Agency's (EDA's) EU SatCom Market project, becoming the 21st and 22nd members to join the initiative, the …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

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

  The United States Air Force (USAF) is working on the F-47 Penetrating Counter Air (PCA) aircraft, which is intended to replace F-22s in service and ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

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

  The United States Air Force (USAF) is working on the F-47 Penetrating Counter Air (PCA) aircraft, which is intended to replace F-22s in service and ...

• Data links

  Data links | Penetrating Counter Air (PCA) [USA]

  The United States Air Force (USAF) is working on the F-47 Penetrating Counter Air (PCA) aircraft, which is intended to replace F-22s in service and ...

• Air: Head-up displays

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

  The United States Air Force (USAF) is working on the F-47 Penetrating Counter Air (PCA) aircraft, which is intended to replace F-22s in service and ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | Penetrating Counter Air (PCA) [USA]

  The United States Air Force (USAF) is working on the F-47 Penetrating Counter Air (PCA) aircraft, which is intended to replace F-22s in service and ...

• 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 ...

• Transport

  King Air 360 [Nigeria]

  Programme Background On 7 October 2021, Nigeria’s Budget Office published its proposed budget details. The Nigerian Air Force requested 10.86 billion Nigerian Naira (US$26.4 million) ...

• 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 ...

• Trainer

  PC-21 [France]

  Programme  Background The French Air and Space Force has chosen Dassault Aviation and Babcock to provide between nine and 13 Pilatus PC-21 aircraft for Phase ...

• 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 ...

• Bomber

  B-21 Raider [USA]

  Programme Background Development 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 ...

• 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 ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | KC-130J [Saudi Arabia]

  Royal Saudi Air Force is seeking to purchase three KC-130J tanker aircraft in addition to two units acquired under foreign military sale (FMS) programme. On 9 ...

• Data links

  Data links | KC-130J [Saudi Arabia]

  Royal Saudi Air Force is seeking to purchase three KC-130J tanker aircraft in addition to two units acquired under foreign military sale (FMS) programme. On 9 ...

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 ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• 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. ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing

  CLS-200

  The CLS-200 is part of the Yates Electrospace Corporation Silent Arrow family. It is a powered cargo-carrying one-use UAV, based on the company's GD-2000 glider.  In ...

• 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 ...

• 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: 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 ...