• Air Warfare

  UK MoD and Hypersonix commit to hypersonic missile deal

  16th July 2024

  Australia’s Hypersonix Launch Systems has signed a deal with the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) to help the UK develop hypersonic missiles for the Hypersonic Technologies and Capability Development Framework (HTCDF) initiative.

• Defence Notes

  US Senate plans to booster FY2025 acquisitions with an extra $10 billion despite budget cuts to major programmes

  7th August 2024

  While lawmakers intend to provide additional resources for procurement for all US branches, they have reduced the budget for main programmes such as F-35, MQ-25, PIM and AMPV.

• Digital Battlespace

  US Space Force increases efforts to plug training capabilities gaps

  22nd July 2024

  The service has been seeking simulation and emulation solutions capable of reproducing multiple in-orbit threats.

• Air Warfare

  Gripen fighter jet software update move faster than competitors, says Saab

  22nd May 2024

  Saab has touted its rapid software update capabilities for the JAS 39 Gripen, claiming it could deliver updates “in days“ and challenging the generational focus of rivals such as Lockheed Martin.

• Air Warfare

  Raytheon expands air missile production and announces successful use of StormBreaker from F-35C

  23rd July 2024

  Raytheon has been pushing its production line to meet demand for missiles. At the same time, the Farnborough International Airshow exhibitor has been trying to ensure there are no weak links in its supply chain and increase its depth of suppliers.

• Defence Notes

  US Congress urges Pentagon to expand the use of quantum science

  3rd June 2024

  Text proposed by the House Armed Services Committee for the NDAA for FY2025 directed the Pentagon to establish a quantum computing centre of excellence to accelerate the transition of quantum hybrid technology from R&D into operational use.

• Digital Battlespace

  Mini Blackbird 1280 HFM infrared detector unveiled by SCD

  13th June 2024

  Advanced Mid-Wave Infrared (MWIR) high-definition detector to offer users extended operational duration.

• Training

  How US Army aviation training plans to address the service’s accident rate problem

  9th July 2024

  In response to a troubling increase in aviation accidents, the US Army initiated an 'Army Aviation Safety Stand Up', implementing immediate, targeted training for rotary-wing pilots and maintainers.

• Air Warfare

  Staying power: The importance of mid-life upgrades (opinion)

  9th July 2024

  The rapid integration of advanced Western weapons with Soviet-era Ukrainian aircraft and the adaptability shown in makeshift solutions has highlighted the essential role of mid-life upgrades in maintaining effective military forces amid evolving combat and technological challenges.

• Naval Warfare

  US and Japan sign collaborative agreement on Glide Phase Interceptor

  16th May 2024

  Japan and the US will aim to strengthen regional deterrence while enhancing long-standing missile defence cooperation through developing a Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI).

• Air Warfare

  Leonardo’s AW249 to enhance Italian Army capabilities and target export market

  20th June 2024

  Leonardo’s new AW249 attack helicopter has made its international debut at Eurosatory 2024, with the Italian defence manufacturer noting it would provide unprecedented capabilities to the Italian Army.

• Land Warfare

  Italy picks Rheinmetall and Leonardo for MBT and IFV and gives MGCS a boost

  3rd July 2024

  Italy has been looking replace its Ariete MBTs but has gone back and forth between a future European tank, more Leopards, an upgrade of existing vehicles and other options. It now seems to have thrown its hand in with the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS).

• Air Warfare

  Brazil’s first Gripen F reaches final assembly line as delivery edges closer

  20th May 2024

  A concrete delivery timeline for the first Saab JAS 39F Gripen two-seater for Brazil has yet to be confirmed, but with the fighter now in the final assembly stage and undergoing testing, delivery could come soon.

• Air Warfare

  India expands ammunition production with Adani–Thales collaboration

  10th July 2024

  Adani Defence & Aerospace has teamed up with Thales Belgium to manufacture and assemble NATO-standard 70mm calibre ammunition, strengthening India's self-reliance in defence production.

• Air Warfare

  Boeing lines up helicopter deals and delivers first US Army CH-47F Block II

  3rd July 2024

  Boeing is nearing the end of its new-build V-22 but is set to sign new Apache orders, as well as progressing MH-139 and new generation Chinook helicopter efforts.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• AEW&C

  E-7 Wedgetail (737) - UK

  Programme Background Seeking to replace its six ageing Boeing E-3 Sentry AEW&C;, the British Royal Air Force awarded Boeing a £1.89 billion contract in 2019 covering the ...

• AEW&C

  E-7 Wedgetail (Second Order) [U.K.]

  Programme Background Seeking to replace its six ageing Boeing E-3 Sentry AEW&C;, the British Royal Air Force awarded Boeing a £1.89 billion contract in 2019 ...

• AEW&C

  E-7A Wedgetail (1-2) [USA]

  Programme Background Shephard notes that this entry covers the two rapid-prototype E-7 aircraft, whose contract was signed in August 2024. A second programme entry covers the ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | E-7 Wedgetail - UK (Second Order)

  The UK MoD signed a £1.51 billion ($1.98 billion) deal to purchase five E-7 Wedgetail aircraft from Boeing for the Royal Air Force (RAF) in ...

• Data links

  Data links | E-7 Wedgetail - UK (Second Order)

  The UK MoD signed a £1.51 billion ($1.98 billion) deal to purchase five E-7 Wedgetail aircraft from Boeing for the Royal Air Force (RAF) in ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | E-7 Wedgetail - UK (Second Order)

  The UK MoD signed a £1.51 billion ($1.98 billion) deal to purchase five E-7 Wedgetail aircraft from Boeing for the Royal Air Force (RAF) in ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | E-7 Wedgetail - UK (Second Order)

  The UK MoD signed a £1.51 billion ($1.98 billion) deal to purchase five E-7 Wedgetail aircraft from Boeing for the Royal Air Force (RAF) in ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | E-7 Wedgetail (Second Order) [U.K.]

  The UK MoD signed a £1.51 billion ($1.98 billion) deal to purchase five E-7 Wedgetail aircraft from Boeing for the Royal Air Force (RAF) in ...

• Data links

  Data links | E-7 Wedgetail (Second Order) [U.K.]

  The UK MoD signed a £1.51 billion ($1.98 billion) deal to purchase five E-7 Wedgetail aircraft from Boeing for the Royal Air Force (RAF) in ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | E-7 Wedgetail (Second Order) [U.K.]

  The UK MoD signed a £1.51 billion ($1.98 billion) deal to purchase five E-7 Wedgetail aircraft from Boeing for the Royal Air Force (RAF) in ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | E-7 Wedgetail (Second Order) [U.K.]

  The UK MoD signed a £1.51 billion ($1.98 billion) deal to purchase five E-7 Wedgetail aircraft from Boeing for the Royal Air Force (RAF) in ...

• AEW&C

  E-7A Wedgetail (USA - Forecast)

  Programme Background Speaking on 21 September 2021 during the annual Air Force Association (AFA) Meeting in Washington DC, USAF Chief of Staff Gen Charles Brown ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (1-6) [NATO]

  NATO is estimated to procure up to 18 AEW aircraft under the Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (AFSC) programme to replace the current E-3 Sentry fleet when ...

• Data links

  Data links | Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (1-6) [NATO]

  NATO is estimated to procure up to 18 AEW aircraft under the Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (AFSC) programme to replace the current E-3 Sentry fleet when ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (1-6) [NATO]

  NATO is estimated to procure up to 18 AEW aircraft under the Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (AFSC) programme to replace the current E-3 Sentry fleet when ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Fixed wing aircraft engines

  T56-A-15

  The T56-A-15, a member of the T56 family of engines, powers C-130B/E/H and E-2 military aircraft. Other military versions of engines from the T56 family ...

• AEW&C

  737 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C)

  The Boeing 737 AEW&C; is based on Boeing’s 737-700 commercial aeroplane. It is used for airspace surveillance and battle management. Three countries operate it: Australia ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  E-7 Wedgetail Mission Simulator

  E-7 Wedgetail Mission Simulator was developed by Havelsan to meet the requirements of Turkey's Peace Eagle Airborne Early Warning and Control programme. The Mission Simulator ...

• ISR/special mission

  E-4B Nightwatch

  Developed by Boeing based on the 747-200 airliner, the E-4B Nightwatch is a special mission aircraft used as the US National Airborne Operations Centre and is ...

• Air: AEW/fire control radar

  MESA

  The MESA is an L-band active electronically scanned array radar system providing 360-degree coverage for airborne early warning and control missions. The system employs GaN ...

• ISR/special mission

  E-6B Mercury

  The E-6B Mercury is an airborne command post and communications relay for US nuclear forces, including submarine-launched ballistic missiles. The USN operates a fleet of ...

• Land: vehicle surveillance/target acquisition systems

  Savan 15

  Savan 15 is an FCS for tanks and other AFVs designed to provide fire-on-the-move capability. The system includes a day/night gunner’s sight; fire-control computer; gun ...

• ISR/special mission

  E-8C Joint STARS

  The E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (STARS) is an ISR aircraft based on the 707-300 airliner. It is fitted with an 8-meter-long, canoe-shaped radome ...

• Air: Defensive Systems - MLDS

  Elix-IR

  Thales’ Elix-IR is a Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS). It uses infrared sensors to detect the hot exhaust plumes of incoming air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles. ...

• AEW&C

  E-3 Sentry

  The E-3 Sentry, also known as AWACS, is an AEW&C; aircraft developed by Boeing based on the 707-320B airliner. It is powered by four Pratt & ...

• Air: AEW/fire control radar

  Grifo E

  The Grifo-E is an advanced fire-control radar developed by Leonardo, featuring Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) technology for enhanced situational awareness. It employs Active Electronically Scanned ...

• Submarine-launched torpedoes

  VA-111/Shkval

  Shkval is a supercavitation torpedo launched originally in 1977 by the Soviet Union. Today, it is deployed by the Russian Navy and produced by the ...

• EO/IR systems, Land: unattended sensor/surveillance systems, Sea: ship surveillance and fire control systems

  SHAPO

  SHAPO is a multi-sensor, gyro-stabilised observation payload. It is intended for UAVs, helicopters, light aircraft, patrol boats, aerostats, airships, armoured vehicles and masts. Sensors include a ...

• Land: handheld NV devices

  Sophie LITE

  The Sophie LITE is a handheld, integrated multifunction system that allows the user to detect, recognise, identify and locate targets. It can be used standalone ...

• Air: AEW/fire control radar, Air: surveillance radar

  AN/APY-1/2

  The S-band AN/APY-1 radar is installed in a large rotodome above the fuselage of the Boeing KE-3A/E-3A/B Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft ...