• Digital Battlespace

  Saab to upgrade Thai air C2 network

  8th August 2018

  Saab announced on 7 August that it has been contracted to upgrade and enhance the Royal Thai Air Force’s (RTAF) existing Air Command and Control …

• Digital Battlespace

  Silentium Defence awarded two contracts

  25th July 2018

  The Australian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded two contracts to Silentium Defence. Under the first contract worth $870,000, the company will advance the concept …

• Digital Battlespace

  BIRD to enhance capabilities of ASIO-equipped aircraft

  3rd August 2018

  BIRD Aerosystems has received a contract to enhance operational capabilities of the current fleet of Airborne Surveillance, Intelligence and Observation (ASIO) solution-equipped aircraft of a …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Textron demonstrates simulated manned-unmanned teaming capability

  2nd August 2018

  Textron Systems has successfully integrated and demonstrated manned-unmanned teaming capability via its Synturian control and collaboration technology and Textron Aviation Defense’s Scorpion jet, Textron announced …

• Naval Warfare

  Hercules to fill Philippines maritime patrol gap

  27th July 2018

  The Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) plan to buy two long-range patrol aircraft may have stalled, but the capability gap will be partially filled by a …

• Digital Battlespace

  ARGOS–II HD for German Federal Police helicopters

  27th July 2018

  Hensoldt’s Optronics business line has received a three-year supply contract to deliver electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) system, ARGOS–II HD, to ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik for …

• Military Logistics

  Last AH-1W Super Cobra undergoes IMP

  2nd August 2018

  The Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) Site Camp Pendleton has put the last AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter for the Integrated Maintenance Program (IMP), the FRCSW …

• Military Logistics

  Airbus assesses A320neo multi-mission version

  24th July 2018

  Airbus is evaluating a military multi-mission version of its A320neo aircraft for a wide range of ISR and military transport operations, the company announced on …

• Naval Warfare

  Japan invests in BMD ships and radar

  3rd August 2018

  The new Aegis destroyer Maya (DDG-179) of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) was launched by Japan Marine United on 30 July. Possessing a ballistic …

• Defence Notes

  Team Shadow unveiled at Farnborough Airshow (video)

  18th July 2018

  At Farnborough International Airshow 2018, Raytheon unveiled Team Shadow, a partnership between the company, the UK Ministry of Defence and Textron Aviation. Studio spoke with …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  GA-ASI selected for Netherlands UAS

  23rd July 2018

  General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has announced its selection to provide its UAS to the Royal Netherlands Air Force, following consideration by the Ministry of Defence. …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  IAI, SNC to develop tactical VTOL UAS

  23rd July 2018

  Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) have signed a strategic collaboration agreement to support the development of a new tactical vertical takeoff …

• Defence Notes

  Stability in Iraq could hinge on rebuilding 'failed social contract'

  30th July 2018

  At a time when Iraqis are taking to the streets protesting a lack of basic services and jobs, a US military commander is warning that …

• Defence Notes

  What does layered missile defence really mean? (video)

  18th July 2018

  Studio spoke to Wes Kremer, President, Integrated Defense Systems at Raytheon, about the latest technology developments in the company's sensors, radar and missile defence areas, as …

• Special Operations

  COBRA becomes option for AT-802L Longsword

  19th July 2018

  Air Tractor and L3 Technologies have added BAE Systems’ COBRA multi-function signals intelligence and electronic warfare sensor family of systems as an option for the …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• ISR/special mission

  MC-27J [Algeria]

  Programme Background Algeria has a long standing ISR aircraft requirement to support its Beech 1900 fleet comprised of six aircraft. The new ISR fleet is ...

• ISR/special mission

  C-208B ISR [Tunisia]

  Programme Background Requirement The acquisition of the C-208B Grand Caravan EX aircraft is part of Tunisia’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its ISR capabilities in response ...

• Military UAS - mini

  U&C reconnaissance drones [US Army]

  Methodology PGO The programme has been assigned a PGO of 100%, as a contract has been awarded. Unit cost It has not been clarified what ...

• ISR/special mission

  King Air 350ER ISR [Kuwait]

  Programme Background In February 2018, the US State Department has approved an estimated $259m potential foreign military sale of King Air 350ER intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  Long-Endurance UAV [US AFRICOM]

  Programme Background Ageing MQ-9A Reapers In November 2022, Shephard reported that GA-ASI would continue supporting contractor SMX with its MQ-9A after winning a $2.3 billion task ...

• Military UAS - small

  Black Hornet 3 PRS (UK)

  Programme Background The British Army operated approximately 160 first-generation Black Hornet PD-100 nano UAS between 2013 and 2017, when the decision was made to retire ...

• ISR/special mission

  Shadow R1 [UK]

  Background The RAF is moving forward with an ambitious plan to transform its intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) force to enable greater interoperability ...

• ISR/special mission

  Baekdu-II [South Korea]

  Programme Background This ISR aircraft programme, which first appeared on the 2020-24 Mid-Term Defense Acquisition Plan, comprises four Baekdu-II aircraft. These will add to two ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  ISR Civilian-Made UAVs [Taiwan]

  Background Civilian-made, Military-specification As reported by Shephard in April 2025, to accelerate the acquisition process and urgently build a larger UAV inventory, Taipei is enlisting the private ...

• Military helicopters - light/training

  SW-4

  The SW-4 is aimed at the basic and advanced pilot training, troop transport and ISR missions. Its Polish designation is Puszczyk. The SW-4s are based ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  A-29 Super Tucano Afghanistan

  Media reports suggest that with the hourly cost of $1000, the A-29 is a successful platform for counter-insurgency missions. Its operational capability from unprepared airstrips, ...

• UAS: communication systems

  UAS: communication systems | Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) services [USN]

  In April 2026, AeroVironment (AV) and Shield AI announced that they had been selected to compete for a US$800 million task order to provide Contractor-Owned, ...

• UAS: flight control systems

  UAS: flight control systems | Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) services [USN]

  In April 2026, AeroVironment (AV) and Shield AI announced that they had been selected to compete for a US$800 million task order to provide Contractor-Owned, ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Multi-Mission Aircraft (1-14) [Canada]

  The objective of the Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft project is to equip the Canadian Armed Forces with a long-range manned Command, Control, Communications and Computers (C4) and ...

• Data links

  Data links | Multi-Mission Aircraft (1-14) [Canada]

  The objective of the Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft project is to equip the Canadian Armed Forces with a long-range manned Command, Control, Communications and Computers (C4) and ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  Zeus

  The Zeus is an Argentine tactical-class UAV from Aerotec, in partnership with its Polish technology partner, Ekolot Aerospace & Defense (EAD). The aircraft is modular and ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  Silent Falcon

  The Silent Falcon is a solar-electric sUAS with long-endurance capabilities for extended-range missions. The UAS can be used for commercial and military applications. The entire ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - small

  Jackal

  The Jackal is a small UAV manufactured by FLY BVLOS, Flyby Technology and Maxwell Innovations. The system features a plug-and-play system, meaning new equipment and technologies can be ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini

  Delta

  The Delta is a UAV with a VTOL capability before rotating and operating as a conventional fixed-wing aircraft when airborne.  Manufactured by Fly BVLOS, Nigeria was expected ...

• Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Indago

  Indago is a small quadrotor UAV with VTOL. It is equipped with a large-screen handset and is marketed as 'whisper-quiet' with a noise level of ...

• Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Canary

  Volatus Aerospace has stated that its civilian Canary rotary-wing cargo-carrying UAV can be adapted for military use in last-mile resupply operations.  Payloads are housed internally ...

• Air: mission management systems

  Ageon ISR

  Ageon ISR is a multi-INT C2/PED solution supporting cross-domain collection, ingestion, processing, exploitation and dissemination from tactical units to the global enterprise and cloud. Ageon ...

• Land: battle management systems

  AIMS-ISR

  AIMS-ISR is a software package used to process the video footage and data gathered from the cameras and other sensors fitted to airborne, ground-based and ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  ENVOY

  The ENVOY is a multi-mission rotary-wing UAV with a tandem-rotor design and a payload carrying capacity of 180kg. General Dynamics renamed the system ENVOY in mid-2025.  ...

• Air: UAS radar

  EchoFlight

  The Echoflight radar by Echodyne is a Lightweight Metamaterials ESA (MESA®), a Detect-and-Avoid (DAA) 4D radar designed for mid-sized UAVs flying below the visual line of sight (BVLOS) ...

• UAS: communication systems

  muLTElink

  Produced by uAvionix, the muLTElink is a multiple-link airborne radio system designed for uncrewed platforms in particular. It combines C-Band, LTE, ISM and Viasat L-Band communications, ...

• Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  DrN-15 (series)

  The DrN-15 is a hexacopter mini-UAV from ST Engineering. The platform is highly customizable and can carry various payloads depending on a user's requirements.  All DrN ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  Nauru 500C

  The Nauru 500C ISR is a VTOL-capable small fixed-wing UAV from Xmobots. Designed for ISR missions, the UAV features XSIS-EO and XSIS-EOLWIR stabilised sensors. The UAV features ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  Outlaw SeaHunter

  Outlaw UAVs are used by military and research agencies for training, testing, data collection and system development. In the 114-137kg maximum take-off weight class, SeaHunter ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  Viper 1000C

  The Viper 1000C is a fixed-wing MALE UAS. Designed to carry EO/IR sensors over vast distances, it can be employed in a wide variety of ...