• Uncrewed Vehicles

  AeroVironment awarded TERN Phase II contract

  9th October 2014

  AeroVironment has been awarded a $19 million phase II contract by DARPA for the Tactically Exploited Reconnaissance Node (TERN) programme, the company announced on 8 …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Northrop Grumman selected for TERN Phase II

  1st October 2014

  Northrop Grumman has been awarded a Phase II contract for the DARPA-Office of Naval Research (ONR) Tactical Exploited Reconnaissance Node (TERN) programme. The company will …

• Digital Battlespace

  Northrop Grumman selected for DARPA AESA programme

  11th September 2014

  Northrop Grumman will conduct work to develop and demonstrate advanced wideband digital antenna technology for next generation radio frequency (RF) sensors using active electronically scanned …

• Land Warfare

  DARPA looks to improve armoured vehicle agility

  10th September 2014

  DARPA is set to kick off its Ground X-Vehicle Technology (GXV-T) programme shortly, as it seeks engagement with non-traditional contributors to pursue fundamental research and …

• Digital Battlespace

  Robotic space servicer envisaged by DARPA

  5th September 2014

  The Pentagon is edging closer to its vision of being able to actively service in-orbit satellites and now hopes to demonstrate a robotic servicing mission …

• Defence Helicopter

  DARPA advances Boeing’s Phantom Swift

  28th August 2014

  Boeing’s ‘Phantom Swift’ prototype for DARPA’s VTOL Experimental Aircraft (X-Plane) programme has advanced to the next stage of development.  Valued at $130 million, the VTOL X-Plane …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Boeing advances Phantom Swift

  24th June 2014

  Boeing’s Phantom Works has claimed its offering for DARPA’s Vertical Takeoff and Landing Experimental Plane (X-Plane) programme has the potential to spawn an entirely new …

• Digital Battlespace

  Pentagon ringfences space advancements

  19th May 2014

  The Pentagon’s commitment to satellite and space research – in the midst of an overall decrease in science and technology funding – shows the strategic …

• Land Warfare

  Stealthy moves for bike development

  17th April 2014

  The Pentagon has awarded a development contract to Logos Technologies to manufacture a prototype silent-running hybrid-electric military motorcycle. According to the company, the US Defense …

• Defence Helicopter

  DARPA confirms VTOL X-Plane contract recipients

  19th March 2014

  DARPA has finalised the list of contenders for its VTOL Experimental Plane (VTOL X-Plane) programme, with the awarding of two additional Phase 1 contracts to …

• Digital Battlespace

  PCAS prepares for live weapons drop

  21st February 2014

  The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and Raytheon will demonstrate their Persistent Close Air Support (PCAS) capability with a live fire mission later …

• Defence Helicopter

  Aurora awarded DARPA VTOL X-Plane contract

  7th February 2014

  Aurora Flight Sciences has confirmed that it will build its LightningStrike Vertical Takeoff and Landing aircraft for DARPA’s VTOL X-Plane programme. The company has been …

• Digital Battlespace

  Raytheon to work on DARPA’s Plan X programme

  6th February 2014

  DARPA has awarded a contract to Raytheon to conduct research and development that will enable the US Department of Defense (DoD) to predictably and rapidly …

• Defence Helicopter

  Sikorsky to advance VTOL X-Plane programme

  13th December 2013

  The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded Sikorsky Phase 1 of the VTOL Experimental Aircraft (X-Plane) programme.   The new contract, valued …

• Defence Helicopter

  Rockwell Collins to develop DVEPS for US Army

  5th November 2013

  Rockwell Collins will develop the Degraded Visual Environment Pilotage System (DVEPS) for the US Army’s Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) helicopters. The company was awarded …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

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

  AdvaNced airCraft Infrastructure-Less Launch And RecoverY (ANCILLARY) [US]

  Background Aims & Timeline As stated by DARPA, the ANCILLARY programme aims to develop and fly an X-plane that will provide a “leap-ahead” in long-endurance, VTOL-capable ...

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

  LongShot [USA]

  Programme Background Requirement According to DARPA, the objective of the LongShot programme is "to disrupt the paradigm of air combat operations by demonstrating an unmanned ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Penetrating Counter Air (PCA) [USA]

  Programme Background Requirement Originally conceived as a replacement for the F-22, the PCA was designed to counter various air threats, including integrated air defence systems ...

• AEW&C

  AEW&C Aircraft [South Korea]

  Programme Background Requirement The requirement was initially reported in 2016 when it was noted as being part of a long-term development plan, however, reports from ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Military - UUVs

  Manta Ray

  Manta Ray is an uncrewed underwater vessel (UUV) developed by Northrop Grumman.

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

  LongShot

  The LongShot is a developmental air-launched platform intended to increase the survivability of friendly crewed aircraft. In February 2021, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) ...

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

  XRQ-73

  The US Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) unveiled the flying design of the XRQ-73 in June 2024. The aircraft has been developed under the  Series ...

• Sea: procedural training

  2 Sigma Digital Tutor

  A Digital Tutor that is designed to outperform schoolhouse instructors, bringing CTC training to a broad spectrum of sailors. Specifications include improving student outcomes for ...

• Military - USVs

  NOMARS

  The No Manning Required Ship (NOMARS) is a US Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) effort to develop a first-of-its-kind large uncrewed surface vessel.

• Major networking projects

  CHAIN

  The Compartmented High Assurance Information Network (CHAIN) is described as a robust architecture that improves interoperability of IT systems among the military services and security ...

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

  XV-24A LightningStrike

  The XV-24A LightningStrike, developed by Aurora Flight Sciences and its partners Rolls-Royce and Honeywell, was a project for a tilt-wing UAV powered by an electric-distributed ...

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

  Shrike

  The Shrike was a micro, portable, rugged VTOL-capable UAV designed for frontline day/night ISR.  Development of the Shrike began in 2008 under a $4.6-million contract from ...

• Data links

  QNT

  The QUINT Networking Technology (QNT) programme is intended to develop robust, affordable, miniature networked data link technologies suitable for use on weapons and by tactical ...

• Air: surveillance and maritime patrol radar, Air: surveillance radar, Air: UAS radar

  AN/ZPY-5 VADER

  The Vehicle and Dismount Exploitation Radar (VADER) is an airborne radar system manufactured by Northrop Grumman. It is designed to track vehicles and foot traffic ...

• Data links

  TTNT

  The Tactical Targeting Network Technology (TTNT) programme is intended to develop, evaluate and demonstrate reconfigurable, affordable, robust, interoperable and evolvable communications technologies to support emerging ...

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

  X-61A Gremlin

  Dynetics, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Leidos, is developing the X-61A Gremlin. This low-cost swarming drone can be outfitted with different payloads, launched by a mothership, recovered ...

• Light UGVs

  Crusher

  The Crusher vehicle was designed by DARPA and the National Robotics Engineering Center to evaluate technologies, such as mobility and autonomy systems, applicable to the UGVs ...

• Air: helicopter radar, Air: surveillance radar

  FORESTER

  The Foliage Penetration (FOPEN) Reconnaissance, Surveillance, Tracking and Engagement Radar (FORESTER) is an airborne radar system that provides stand-off, persistent, wide-area surveillance for situational awareness ...

• Sea: tactical training

  Fleet Command

  Fleet Command was developed by Sonalysts, released in 1999, and published by Electronic Arts. Command-level combat simulation where the player is responsible for navy battle ...