• Training

  Royal Air Force begins training instructors on Protector UAV simulator in the US

  31st August 2023

  Personnel from the RAF's 54 Squadron are currently undertaking the first Instructor Operating Course (IOC) on Protector simulators at the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) Flight Test & Training Center in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

• Air Warfare

  Insight: Is the Bayraktar TB2 UAV living up to expectations?

  15th September 2023

  Sold to well over 20 countries and combat-proven in Nagorno-Karabakh, Ukraine and elsewhere, the Bayraktar TB2 has been an export success for its Turkish manufacturer. Shephard Defence Insight analyses the aircraft's design and capabilities and reviews in depth who is buying it and why.

• Land Warfare

  Hensoldt releases containerised version of Twinvis passive radar

  7th August 2023

  Hensoldt has developed a mobile containerised version of its Twinvis passive radar system which provides long-range military airspace surveillance or, in the medium term, in civil air traffic control.

• Defence Helicopter

  IAI and Odysight.ai unveil visual health monitoring system for UH60 helicopters

  31st July 2023

  IAI and Odysight.ai have unveiled a visual-based health monitoring system for UH-60 helicopters, enhancing safety and availability through real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance.

• Naval Warfare

  New Exocet variants secure anti-ship missile capability for the future

  16th October 2023

  MBDA and the French Navy have completed the test firing of a new Exocet MM40 Block 3c anti-ship missile (AShM) from Aquitaine-class frigate FS Alsace.

• Digital Battlespace

  The Global Quest for Seamless Communication: Bridging the Communication Gap (Studio)

  7th September 2023

  The evolution of the global satellite communications industry highlights the importance of interoperability, connectivity, and technological advancements to address modern warfare challenges and ensure resilient coalition operations.

• Air Warfare

  B-2 stealth bomber receives new digital communications system

  10th August 2023

  Northrop Grumman and the USAF have completed an integrated airborne mission transfer (IAMT) demonstrator with the B-2 Spirit at Whiteman Air Force Base.

• Land Warfare

  DSEI 2023: Australian companies launch rockets from Funnel Web robot, point to Ukraine potential

  7th September 2023

  Australian companies Black Sky Aerospace and Funnel Web Systems showcased a demonstration of rocket-firing from a UGV at Poland's MSPO, specifically pointing to potential in the war in Ukraine as a scenario where they could be used.

• Air Warfare

  PLA shows off new UCAV, while CH-5 achieves sale to Iraq

  27th September 2023

  China's aerospace industry continues to develop and sell advanced UAVs both at home and on the international market and has displayed UCAVs at the China Helicopter Exhibition in Tianjin.

• Land Warfare

  Russian Army to boost wheeled artillery forces with series of major contracts

  4th September 2023

  During the Army-2023 event in August, a series of major contracts were inked between the Burevestnik company and the Russian Ministry of Defence, aimed at pushing new wheeled artillery systems into service.

• Naval Warfare

  Elbit completes sea trials of Deseaver Mk-4 countermeasure system

  1st August 2023

  Elbit Systems has successfully completed sea trials of the Dseaver Mk-4 counter measure dispensing system, enhancing the Israeli Navy's protection against complex missile threats in maritime environments.

• Training

  Quantum3D introduces latest platform support for flight simulator

  18th August 2023

  Quantum3D has launched the latest iteration of its mixed reality (MR) flight simulator solution featuring motion platform, seamless calibration and alignment wizard.

• Naval Warfare

  Greece faces reduced buy of ex-Dutch mine countermeasure vessels after Ukraine donations

  16th August 2023

  The Hellenic defence procurement agency GDDIA has reconfirmed its interest in procuring mine countermeasure vessels (MCMVs) from the Netherlands despite only three now being available.

• Naval Warfare

  Japan proceeds with modified Mogami-class frigate for maritime self-defence force

  31st August 2023

  Instead of producing 22 Mogami-class frigates, the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) will transition to an improved design around halfway through the programme.

• Land Warfare

  DSEI 2023: BAE ready to transfer CV90 upgrade work from Sweden to Netherlands

  13th September 2023

  BAE Systems Hägglunds has completed its first four upgraded CV9035NL infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) for the Royal Netherlands Army (RNLA), and the programme remains on track deliver to 122 enhanced platforms by the end of 2026.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  M1135 Stryker NBC Reconnaissance Vehicle

  Programme Background According to the DSCA's notification to Congress, the acquisition of 50 M1135 Strykers was intended to allow the Iraqi government to identify harmful ...

• 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 ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  French Operational Pocket Drone / DrOP (France)

  Programme Background French UAV Procurment / DrOP Under its 2019-2025 Military Programming Law (LPM), France aims to introduce 1,200 new UAVs into service with the ...

• Loitering munitions

  Organic Precision Fire - Light (OPF-L) [USMC]

  Programme Background Force Design 2030 The USMC Force Design 2030 is a modernisation effort to create a lighter, more agile maritime force. In May 2022, an annual ...

• Military UAS - small

  Bug Nano UAS (UK)

  Programme Background The British Army previously took delivery of 160 first-generation Black Hornet PD-100 nano UAS in 2013 to support operations in Afghanistan. After these ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) (Phase II) [USA]

  Programme Background Requirement The Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) provides short-range day and night ISR to US Army units at the squad, platoon and other small ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Black Hornet 3 (First Order) [Norway]

  Programme Background First Batch The Norwegian Home Guard has procured the Black Hornet 3 to provide each of its districts with a nano UAS that ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  HH-60W - Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH)

  According to the FY2021 Base funding, the HH-60W helicopter unit cost is $43.2 million. The HH-60W will be capable of employment day or night, in ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Black Hornet 4 [Germany]

  Programme Background BAAINBw In February 2025, Shephard reported that Teledyne FLIR had been awarded a $15 million contract from Germany’s Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Black Hornet 3 (Second Order) [Norway]

  Programme Background First Order The Norwegian Home Guard has procured the Black Hornet 3 to provide each of its districts with a nano UAS that ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  DEF129 (Nano UAS) [Australia]

  Programme Background DEF129 The Australian Ground Service has combined various army procurement efforts under the DEF129 programme to increase the abundance and proliferation of UAVs ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  Anka-B [Türkiye]

  Programme Background TAI announced in November 2019 that it had delivered a total of 22 Anka-B UAVs to the Turkish Navy. Two large contracts contributing ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Black Hornet 3 (Ukraine Aid) [UK & Norway]

  Programme Background Russo-Ukraine War Since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022, UAVs have proved vital to the country's defence. Consequently, as in this programme, the ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Black Hornet 3 (Ukrainian Aid) [Norway]

  Programme Background Previous Purchases Norway has purchased two batches for its use, the first in October 2020 and the second in June 2022. International Fund ...

• Patrol boats

  Mk VI Patrol Boat - Ukraine (1-6)

  Programme Background The Mk VI is described as the USN's next-generation patrol boat and is currently in service with the US Navy's Coastal Riverine Forces (CRF). The ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

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

  R80D SkyRaider

  The military-grade R80D SkyRaider VTOL small UAS is an open-architecture, multi-mission aircraft. Manufactured by Teledyne FLIR System exclusively for US DoD and Federal Agencies, the ...

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

  SICX-25

  The SICX-25 is a rotary-wing UAV suitable for a range of military, commercial and civil missions, including tactical ISTAR, bomb damage assessment, civil air surveillance, ...

• Light UGVs

  PackBot

  PackBot, previously designated 510 PackBot, is a tracked, tactical, mobile UGV with forward-articulated flippers that can perform multiple missions. PackBot is being delivered to customers ...

• EO/IR systems

  FLIR 111

  The FLIR 111 is a field-proven, high-performance, compact, and lightweight Forward Looking InfraRed (FLIR) system designed for utility and attack helicopters.  It is jointly produced ...

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  Reveal D&I

  Reveal D&I; is a real-time gas detection and identification chemical imaging software for hyperspectral data. This software allows the real-time detection of a large portfolio ...

• EO/IR systems

  KUH FLIR

  The KUH FLIR is an IR system from Hanwha Systems for the Korean Utility Helicopter (KUH). Hanwha says it provides stable infrared images at night and/or under limited ...

• Land: infantry weapon simulators

  Less Than Lethal Weapon Simulators

  Meggitt produces wireless simulators for the X26 Taser and chemical spray less-lethal weapons. These accessories are supported with specialised courseware.

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  Hyper-Cam

  The Hyper-Cam is a passive IR hyperspectral imaging system that combines high spatial and spectral resolution. It provides real-time radiometrically calibrated data for gas and ...

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  SWIR Components – FPAs and Sensor Assemblies

  FLIR Systems produces COTS staring focal plane arrays (FPAs) and sensor assemblies based on the company’s InGaAs detectors and integrated circuit technology. FLIR FPAs and ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  PD-100 Black Hornet

  The PD-100 Black Hornet personal reconnaissance system (PRS) is designed for dismounted close-combat soldiers, providing them with an immediate reconnaissance capability with minimal increase in ...

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  HD-IR

  HD-IR high-resolution cameras have high sensitivity for surveillance and airborne mapping applications. The camera features a four-position filter wheel, 1.3MP spatial resolution and an IP67-certified ...

• EO/IR systems

  StormCaster-DX

  Unveiled at Modern Day Marine 2022, the Teledyne FLIR StormCaster-DX is a multi-role, low-SWaP laser target designator (LTD) payload designed to affect the STANAG-compliant terminal ...

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

  Rogue 1

  Unveiled in May 2024, the Rogue 1 is a rotary-wing quadcopter UAV from Teledyne FLIR. The drone can be armed with an explosively formed penetrator (EFP), ...

• EO/IR systems

  Star SAFIRE III

  The Star SAFIRE III was a military-qualified COTS multipurpose and gyro-stabilised airborne platform carrying seven payloads. Manufactured by Teledyne FLIR, the now out-of-production system featured internal navigation, ...

• ED 605 Falcon

  The ED 605 is a hexarotor platform designed for light cargo transport, as well as surveillance and infrastructure inspection. The company lists standard payloads as ...