• Defence Notes

  US Congress to cut budget of hypersonic programmes

  12th July 2023

  The House Appropriations Committee’s proposal would affect the US Navy’s Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) and the US Air Force’s Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) efforts.

• Naval Warfare

  Textron awarded UAS contract for Littoral Combat Ships

  11th August 2023

  The US Navy (USN) is expanding the airborne surveillance capabilities of three of its Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) with the addition of new UAS capabilities.

• Land Warfare

  DSEI 2023: Sentinel UAS offers solution for communications relay and black holes

  12th September 2023

  UK company Drone Evolution is showing for the first time its tethered UAS, Sentinel, and outlined future plans for the system as a radio relay as well as surveillance asset.

• Naval Warfare

  Anglo-French uncrewed minehunting project moves forward with assurance trials

  14th June 2023

  The joint Maritime Mine Counter Measures (MMCM) effort is delivering an autonomous minehunting capability to the Royal Navy and Marine Nationale.

• Defence Helicopter

  Boeing receives $22.5 million contract for CH-47 Chinook long lead items

  13th July 2023

  Boeing has received a $22.5 million firm-fixed-price contract from the US DoD for CH-47 Chinook helicopter long lead items.

• Defence Helicopter

  US approves $203 million sale of Hellfire missiles for French Tiger helicopters

  10th July 2023

  The US State Department has approved the sale of AGM-114R2 Hellfire missiles to France for use on Tiger HAD attack helicopters.

• Air Warfare

  Updated: Pratt & Whitney's F-35 engine upgrade gets another boost

  18th July 2023

  The extra money for Pratt & Whitney's F-35 Core Engine Upgrade programme reinforces its position as the preferred solution for advanced Block 4 capabilities. The impact on the future price of the fighter remains uncertain, but Lockheed Martin is confident in maintaining or potentially lowering costs going forward.

• Air Warfare

  Chinese air power – analysing the bigger picture

  14th September 2023

  Admitted by the US to be a ‘pacing threat’, the development of Chinese air power will continue to be a core measure of Beijing’s military capability.

• Air Warfare

  US Navy F/A-18s return to the Hornets' nest for Block III upgrades

  26th July 2023

  Boeing's Super Hornet Block III modernisation programme promises to significantly extend the jet's service life, while also introducing advanced capabilities.

• Air Warfare

  Australia reverses decision on Schiebel Camcopters for naval UAVs

  21st September 2023

  It turns out that Australia has made absolutely no progress in obtaining shipborne UAVs in the past 18 months or so.

• Land Warfare

  GDLS awarded $257.6 million contract for 26 M10 Booker combat vehicles

  10th July 2023

  General Dynamics Land Systems has been awarded a contract modification for the LRIP of the M10 Booker combat vehicle, providing enhanced firepower and mobility to Infantry Brigade Combat Teams.

• Land Warfare

  KMW rolls out new 120mm mortar and drone recon modules for Boxer armoured vehicle

  2nd June 2023

  KMW has displayed two new mission modules for the 8x8 Boxer armoured vehicle, one housing a Patria NEMO 120mm mortar turret, and the other equipped for launch and recovery of multiple UAVs for short- and long-range reconnaissance.

• Land Warfare

  Galvion releases upgraded MAX-8 charging station for tactical forces

  1st August 2023

  Galvion has enhanced its MAX-8 Mission Adaptive Charging Station, boosting power output, AC/DC supply, and enabling faster firmware upgrades. The upgrade meets customer demands for more charging power without compromising ruggedness.

• Air Warfare

  A welcome observer? Workshare wrangles loom as Belgium joins SCAF future fighter effort

  12th September 2023

  Of the three major Western next-generation fighter programmes, the (arguably) French-led SCAF has received the least attention in English-speaking media. As Belgium gains observer status on the programme, what will this mean for the workshare arrangements between France, Germany and Spain?

• Defence Helicopter

  Boeing receives last contract for CH-47F Chinook Block I

  6th July 2023

  Boeing has received a contract worth up to $793 million to produce 18 CH-47F Chinook helicopters for South Korea and an additional aircraft for Spain, marking the conclusion of Block I orders.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-130J - US Marine Corps

  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 ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6, APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Otaman (Ukrainian Marine Corps)

  Programme Background Practika first unveiled the Otaman family of 6x6 and 8x8 armoured vehicles in late 2016. These were developed to meet the requirements of ...

• Loitering munitions

  Loitering Munition 1 [Taiwan]

  Programme Background 2023 At Taichung in March 2023, NCSIST unveiled the loitering munition. The munition showed the country's focus on asymmetric capabilities to defend itself ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  BTR-4E (Ukrainian Marine Corps)

  Programme Background The Ukrainian Navy is seeking to standardise the armoured vehicle fleet of the Ukrainian Marine Corps in order to simplify maintenance, logistics and ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  JLTV (Brazil - 1st Batch)

  Programme Background Under its PROADSUMUS programme, the Brazilian Marine Corps is procuring new equipment to support its deployment in expeditionary operations. One of the new ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Medium Landing Ship (9-18) [USMC]

  The US Marine Corps is looking to develop a new platform to bridge the gap between its large assault ships and smaller landing craft. This ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Medium Landing Ship (9-18) [USMC]

  The US Marine Corps is looking to develop a new platform to bridge the gap between its large assault ships and smaller landing craft. This ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  JLTV [Brazil - 2nd Batch]

  Programme Background Under its PROADSUMUS programme, the Brazilian Marine Corps is procuring new equipment to support its deployment in expeditionary operations. One of the new ...

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

  QX-2 (Forecast) [Brazilian Marine Corps]

  Programme Background Four-Day Tour On 3 August 2023, EDGE Group announced that it had hosted a four-day delegation from the Brazilian Marine Crops, showing it ...

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

  Large ULS-A / Aerial Logistics Connector (ALC) [USMC]

  Background US Marine ULS-A programmes The US Marines are seeking a family of Unmanned Logistics Systems-Air (ULS-A), which will provide logistics and ground units with their ...

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

  Tactical Resupply Unmanned Aircraft System (TRUAS) / Small ULS-A (US)

  Programme Background US Marine ULS-A programmes The US Marines are seeking a family of Unmanned Logistics Systems-Air (ULS-A), which will provide logistics and ground units with ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  F-5E/F Adversary Trainer US Navy

  The F-5N is a single seat, dual engine supersonic land based fighter. It is designed to a service life of 9000 flight hours. The aircraft ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Medium Landing Ship (1-8) [USMC]

  The US Marine Corps is looking to develop a new platform to bridge the gap between its large assault ships and smaller landing craft. This ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Medium Landing Ship (1-8) [USMC]

  The US Marine Corps is looking to develop a new platform to bridge the gap between its large assault ships and smaller landing craft. This ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  BTR-4E Second Batch (Ukrainian Army)

  Programme Background Ukraine began to operate the BTR-4E in 2014, when examples that had been manufactured for the Iraqi Army were pressed into service with ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Unguided Mortar Ammunition

  81mm Flash Bang Munition

  The 81mm Flash Bang Munition is a special-purpose mortar round designed by the Marine Corps Combat Development Command for use by the US Marine Corps. The USMC ...

• Unguided Artillery Ammunition

  M795 High Explosive Round

  The M795 High Explosive Round is a 155mm artillery shell manufactured by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems.

• Laser pointers

  AN/PEQ-16 MIPIM

  The AN/PEQ-16 MIPIM (Mini Integrated Pointer Illuminator Module) is a multi-function laser pointer that incorporates an IR laser pointer, an IR illuminator, a visible red ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  RG33

  BAE Systems RG33 is a family of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles available in both 4x4 and 6x6. The medium-weight class of BAE Systems MRAP ...

• Air: helicopter flight simulators

  MCAT

  The Marine Common Aircrew Trainer (MCAT) has been designed to train CH-53E Super Stallion, MV-22B Osprey and UH-1Y Venom enlisted aircrew. The single training device ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  R600

  The R600 8x8 armoured vehicle is an amphibious IFV designed by Panus for the Royal Thai Marine Corps. It completed testing by the marines in ...

• Land: Electronic Attack - Jamming

  AN/PLQ-9 Thor-III

  Sierra Nevada’s AN/PLQ-9 Thor-III is the standard Counter Improvised Explosive Device (CIED) manpack system in service with the US Army and US Marine Corps (USMC). ...

• Counter-UAS systems

  CLWS

  Developed by Boeing, Compact Laser Weapon System (CLWS or CLaWS) is a medium-range, low-power laser C-UAS system. According to the reports, the CLWS prototype has ...

• Land: Electronic Attack - Jamming

  AN/PLT-5 Thor-II

  Sierra Nevada Corporations’s (SNC's) AN/PLT-5 Thor-II Counter Improvised Explosive Device (CIED) system is designed to equip CIED teams and is used throughout the US armed ...

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

  Archer

  The Archer family are an FPV-style loitering munitions and UAVs from Neros. Certified by BlueUAS, the drone is designed and manufactured in Los Angeles, California.  In February 2025, ...

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

  Shadow M2

  The Shadow M2 builds on the Shadow 200, but has greater endurance and payload capability, quieter and more reliable propulsion and an optional SATCOM capability ...

• Assault rifles/carbines/shotguns

  6.5mm CT Carbine

  The 6.5mm Cased Telescoped (CT) Carbine is a closed-bolt, forward-feed, gas piston-operated weapon being developed as part of the US Army's Lightweight Small Arms Technology ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  AAV SU

  In May 2014, BAE Systems and SAIC received contracts from the USMC to develop survivability upgrade proposals for a portion of its 1,060-strong BAE Systems ...

• Air: mission management systems

  AFATDS

  Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) is a multi-service (US Army/USMC) joint and combined forces fire support battle command system. It provides automated support ...

• Unguided Medium Calibre Ammunition

  M433 HEDP LV

  The M433 high-explosive dual-purpose low-velocity 40mm round is a medium-calibre ammunition manufactured by AMTEC. The round is designed for use with M203 or M320 Grenade Launchers.