• Defence Helicopter

  Sikorsky secures contract modification for USMC H-53K services

  29th May 2020

  Sikorsky on 28 May secured a modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract worth $17.9 million for support services for the USMC’s H-53K fleet. The …

• Land Warfare

  Sherpa passes production milestone

  20th May 2020

  Arquus has completed production of the 1,000 armoured vehicle in the Sherpa family at its Limoges factory. ‘The Sherpa’s commercial success, in all versions and configurations, …

• Defence Helicopter

  Bell announces FARA development partners

  5th June 2020

  Bell Textron, which has been selected as one of two prototype providers for the US Army’s Future Attack and Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) programme, has confirmed …

• Digital Battlespace

  US Army advances ALE electronic warfare ambitions

  12th June 2020

  The US Army has confirmed it is in the process of testing a number of small Air Launched Effects (ALE) in EW scenarios for FVL …

• Land Warfare

  Algeria donates combat and transport vehicles to Mali

  5th June 2020

  The Armed Forces of Mali (FAMa) received a donation of 53 vehicles from Algeria on 27 May, under a bilateral defence agreement that included logistics, …

• Defence Notes

  Senate panel authorises defence spending at Trump-requested level

  13th June 2020

  The Senate Armed Services Committee on 11 June approved its mark-up of the Pentagon’s FY2021 defence policy bill, authorising $740 billion for national defence spending …

• Digital Battlespace

  Singapore F-16 photo-recon capability breaks cover

  28th May 2020

  Recent imagery reviewed by Shephard confirms a long-range oblique photography (LOROP) sensor capability on Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-16s. The images depict twin-seat …

• Digital Battlespace

  European team seeks holy grail of unifying airborne EM systems

  17th June 2020

  More light can be shed on the European Defence Agency’s (EDA’s) CROWN initiative to develop a scalable, single architecture for airborne radar, EW and communications …

• Special Operations

  GSA awards SOF light tactical vehicle contract to Polaris

  5th June 2020

  The US General Services Administration (GSA) awarded a follow-on contract worth up to $109 million to Polaris Government & Defense for its MRZR Alpha vehicle, …

• Defence Notes

  USMC must transform to compete with China

  14th May 2020

  The US Marine Corps has a long and storied history in the Pacific, but the rise of China’s military is forcing the corps to either react …

• Training

  Meggitt Training Systems awarded BlueFire virtual weapons contract

  15th May 2020

  Meggitt Training Systems has been awarded a $2.6 million contract to supply BlueFire wireless virtual weapons to be used in the USMC Indoor Simulated Marksmanship …

• Land Warfare

  Portugal rolls out Glock 17 Gen5 for army

  10th June 2020

  The Soldier Combat Systems (SCS) programme for the Portuguese Army passed another milestone in early June, with delivery of Glock 17 Gen5 9mm pistols to …

• Land Warfare

  BAE Systems selects MCT-30 for USMC vehicles

  14th May 2020

  BAE Systems has selected Kongsberg’s MCT-30 turret for use in its USMC Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) programme. The company will deliver up to 150 turrets …

• Air Warfare

  IAF commissions second Tejas squadron

  10th June 2020

  The Indian Air Force (IAF) commissioned its second squadron of Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) in a ceremony at Air Force Station Sulur in southern …

• Training

  ATAC adds to CASP work

  25th May 2020

  Textron subsidiary Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (ATAC) has been awarded a $34.5 million modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost-reimbursable, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to provide contracted …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• ARV (USMC) [USA]

  Programme Background The ARV constitutes one component of a wider USMC effort to develop an interconnected network of manned and unmanned platforms more suited to ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  ACV (US - USMC)

  Programme Background The Armored Combat Vehicle (ACV) programme is intended to provide a replacement for the USMC's fleet of Amphibious Assault Vehicle 7 (AAV7) tracked ...

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

  Medium Range/Medium Endurance (MR/ME) [USMC]

  Programme Background Force Design 2030 The USMC Force Design 2030 is a modernisation effort to create a lighter, more agile maritime force. The update to ...

• Military helicopters - maritime, Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  CH-53K - US Navy

  Programme Background The Marine Corps is replacing its aging CH-53E helicopters with the CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter. Designed as an evolution of the CH-53E, the CH-53K ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  UH-1Y Venom (Czechia)

  Programme Background Czech Armed Forces intended to use the UH-1Y Venom helicopters in various missions including utility, search and rescue, aerial reconnaissance, air-to-ground support and ...

• Main battle tanks

  M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams [Morocco]

  Programme Background The Moroccan Armed Forces have received substantial investment in recent years as the country seeks to maintain parity with its regional rival, Algeria. ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Type 25 Reconnaissance and Surveillance Vehicle (CTWV) [Japan]

  Programme Background The CTWV was developed from the Mitsubishi Armoured Vehicle (MAV) that Mitsubishi developed in the early 2010s. In October 2022, the Japanese MoD ...

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

  Joint Tactical Autonomous Aerial Resupply System (JTAARS) / Medium ULS-A [USA]

  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 ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Type 24 Armored Wheeled Combat Vehicle (CTWV) [Japan]

  Programme Background The CTWV was developed from the Mitsubishi Armoured Vehicle (MAV) that Mitsubishi developed in the early 2010s. In October 2022, the Japanese MoD ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Type 24 Mobile 120mm Mortar (CTWV) [Japan]

  Programme Background The CTWV was developed from the Mitsubishi Armoured Vehicle (MAV) that Mitsubishi developed in the early 2010s. In October 2022, the Japanese MoD ...

• 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 ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  JLTV Procurement (USMC) [US]

  Programme Background The USMC is expected to procure 10,859 JLTVs to replace all of its HMMWVs on a like-for-like basis. Since the USMC has already ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  VBMR Griffon (Batch 1) [Belgium]

  Programme Background In its Strategic Vision for Defence document published in June 2016, the Belgian MoD outlined its aspirations for equipping five motorised manoeuvre battalions ...

• Military UAS - small

  RQ-21A Blackjack / STUASLO - Replacement Units (USMC)

  Programme Background Joint USN and USMC Procurment The RQ-21 Blackjack, or STUALSO, was a combined United States Navy (USN) and United States Marine Corps (USMC) programme ...

• Loitering munitions

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

  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 update ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Crew-served assault/anti-tank weapons

  Yanjing Sabre-ER

  The Sabre-ER is a protective multipurpose missile launching system developed by Beijing Zhongzi Yanjing Automobile Co. It is integrated into their YJ2080C2 light armored vehicle, ...

• LTVs - 4x4

  LTMPAV Dino 519

  The Dino 519 is a light tactical multi-purpose armored vehicle (LTMPAV) developed by Team Concept, a Poland-based armored vehicle manufacturer. 

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  ACV

  BAE Systems teamed with Iveco Defence to offer a version of Iveco Defence Vehicle's Superav for the USMC's Armored Combat Vehicle Phase 1 Increment 1 ...

• Self-propelled rocket launchers, Unguided Artillery Ammunition

  73mm Recoiless Round

  US-based LD Systems' 73mm Recoiless Round is supplied with a thermobaric warhead designed to destroy targets in enclosed spaces. 

• Armoured engineer vehicles

  JAB

  The US Army is leading the Joint Assault Bridge (JAB) project to replace legacy M60A1-based bridge launchers in service with itself and USMC with an M1-based ...

• Light UGVs

  XM1216 SUGV

  The XM1216 Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle (SUGV) is a tactical system that can enter and secure areas that are either inaccessible or too dangerous for ...

• Crew-served assault/anti-tank weapons

  Corsar

  The Corsar (RK-3) is a light, portable anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) system designed and manufactured by the Ukrainian state enterprise State Kyiv Design Bureau 'Luch'. ...

• Unguided Mortar Ammunition

  81mm Mortar Bomb HE

  Franco-German KNDS-Nexter's 81mmMortar Bomb HE is a medium-calibre mortar bomb. It provides high-explosive indirect fire, effective against light structures, vehicles, non-armored assets and infantry troops, due to its ...

• LTVs - 4x4

  ALTV

  The ACMAT Light Tactical Vehicle (ALTV) is the first military pickup produced in France that is dedicated to tactical missions. Available as a two-seater single ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  EBRC Jaguar

  The Jaguar Armored Reconnaissance and Combat Vehicle (EBRC) is a 6x6 armoured reconnaissance vehicle manufactured by a consortium formed of Nexter Systems, Arquus (formerly Renault Trucks Defense) and ...

• Military - USVs

  AIRCAT Bobcat USV

  The AIRCAT Bobcat is an Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) developed by Eureka Naval Craft. It is designed as an optionally crewed light supply vessel, specifically ...

• LTVs - 4x4

  Flyer 60 ALSV

  General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS), in partnership with Flyer Defense, developed the Flyer 60 Advanced Light Strike Vehicle (ALSV) in parallel with the ...

• Land: RWS

  LW30/RS6

  The LW30 (since rebranded RS6) is part of the Protector RWS family developed by Kongsberg. Designed to carry a heavier armament than earlier Protector systems, ...

• Armoured engineer vehicles

  M1150 ABV

  The M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicle (ABV) project, launched by the USMC in 2002, is a joint programme to meet the requirements of both the US ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  Cottonmouth

  The Cottonmouth is a purpose-built 6x6 amphibious reconnaissance vehicle designed by Textron Systems to meet the requirements of the USMC's Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV) programme. It ...