• Training

  First US Air Force T-7 Red Hawk jet trainer poised to be delivered

  19th September 2023

  Boeing has completed crucial inspections of the T-7 Red Hawk, and five development aircraft are set to be delivered to the US Air Force, with hopes of completion by year-end. Despite setbacks, the programme is moving ahead, with further testing and detailed plans to replace the ageing T-38 Talon fleet.

• Digital Battlespace

  BAE Systems Australia secures deal to maintain RAAF's E-7A Wedgetail aircraft fleet

  19th July 2023

  BAE Systems Australia has secured a two-year contract extension to sustain the electronic warfare systems of the RAAF's E-7A Wedgetail aircraft.

• Air Warfare

  Dubai Airshow 2023: How the MQ-9 Reaper UAS came to rule the skies

  10th November 2023

  Ahead of the 2023 edition of the Dubai Airshow, Shephard looks at the GA-ASI MQ-9A Reaper UAS, its role in shaping modern conflict dynamics, and its deployment for surveillance and precision strike throughout the Middle East.

• Air Warfare

  Australia, UK, US join forces on E-7 Wedgetail development

  17th July 2023

  The agreement signed by Australia, the UK and the US signifies a commitment to cooperation on E-7 Airborne Early Warning and Control capability development, testing, interoperability, operations, and training.

• Air Warfare

  Doubts about C-130J triggers $62 million contract to determine suitability for US next-gen TACAMO programme

  19th April 2023

  The US Navy has awarded Lockheed Martin a $62 million contract modification to study the suitability of the C-130J aircraft for the E-XX TACAMO programme.

• Digital Battlespace

  RTX demonstrates AI-enabled communications systems for battlefield networking at Northern Edge 2023

  3rd August 2023

  RTX showcased advanced AI-enabled communications systems during Northern Edge 2023 exercise, connecting coalition partners and enabling rapid data distribution for enhanced joint force capabilities on the battlefield.

• Air Warfare

  Australia receives its first UH-60M Black Hawks

  8th August 2023

  Sikorsky has been extremely rapid in delivering Black Hawks to Australia, with the first two already handed over.

• Air Warfare

  India looks locally for aircraft MRO facilities

  9th May 2023

  India would like to promote more MRO by local vendors in order to save money when operating imported military aircraft.

• Defence Helicopter

  ITP Aero tests NH90 engines with sustainable fuel

  26th July 2023

  ITP Aero has successfully completed engine testing using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for the NH90 helicopter's GE CT7-8F5 engines, marking a significant step in reducing emissions.

• Naval Warfare

  USN orders nine more Arleigh Burke Flight III destroyers

  3rd August 2023

  The USN will receive nine more DDG 51 Arleigh Burke-class Flight III destroyers, six from Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) and three from General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, under a deal likely to be worth around $1.8 billion each ship.

• Air Warfare

  C-27J Spartan contract to strengthen Italy and Azerbaijan relations

  8th June 2023

  Italy and Azerbaijan have signed a contract for the supply of the C-27J Spartan transport aircraft

• Training

  US Navy upgrades its red air aggressor F-16 Vipers

  4th August 2023

  Amentum will maintain US Navy adversary F-16 aircraft and provide full system maintenance and supply chain support to ensure seamless flight operations in all naval bases.

• Air Warfare

  Aeronautics and CRFS collaborate to integrate RF technology on Aerostar UAV

  21st July 2023

  Aeronautics and CRFS have successfully integrated RF technology into the Aerostar UAV range, enhancing its SIGINT/ELINT capabilities.

• Training

  US and Philippines show off strength and bilateral ties in joint exercise

  10th July 2023

  Cope Thunder 23-2, a joint exercise led by Pacific Air Forces, is scheduled to take place between 2 and 21 July.

• Training

  High-End Defense Training for Multipolar Threats

  13th September 2023

  From US National Intelligence Council reports to defense and foreign policy commentary, much ink has been spilled in the last five years on changing power dynamics in the world order.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | KC-130J [Saudi Arabia]

  Royal Saudi Air Force is seeking to purchase three KC-130J tanker aircraft in addition to two units acquired under FMS programme. On 9 November 2012, ...

• Data links

  Data links | KC-130J [Saudi Arabia]

  Royal Saudi Air Force is seeking to purchase three KC-130J tanker aircraft in addition to two units acquired under FMS programme. On 9 November 2012, ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | KC-130J [Saudi Arabia]

  Royal Saudi Air Force is seeking to purchase three KC-130J tanker aircraft in addition to two units acquired under FMS programme. On 9 November 2012, ...

• Transport

  C-130 Replacement [Saudi Arabia]

  Programme Background Requirement The Royal Saudi Air Force operates 33 C-130H, 7 KC-130H aircraft and two KC-130Js. The country has been seeking to replace its ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | C-130H Replacement [Sweden]

  Sweden urges to replace its ageing fleet of five C-130H aircraft and one KC-130H. Although Stockholm was initially interested in buying second-hand C-130J from Italy, the ...

• Data links

  Data links | C-130H Replacement [Sweden]

  Sweden urges to replace its ageing fleet of five C-130H aircraft and one KC-130H. Although Stockholm was initially interested in buying second-hand C-130J from Italy, the ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | C-130H Replacement [Sweden]

  Sweden urges to replace its ageing fleet of five C-130H aircraft and one KC-130H. Although Stockholm was initially interested in buying second-hand C-130J from Italy, the ...

• Transport

  C-130J - USAF

  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 ...

• Transport

  C-130J (1-2) [Egypt]

  Programme Background Requirement The Egyptian Air Force operates a large number of legacy C-130 aircraft, with approximately 22 C-130Hs and three C-130H-30s remaining in service. These ...

• 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 ...

• ISR/special mission

  E-6 TACAMO Recapitalisation Programme (E-130J) [USN]

  Programme Background The E-6 Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) Recapitalisation Programme (E-XX) provides for air vehicle replacement and mission systems modernization to augment and eventually ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  HC/MC-130J - USAF

  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 ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | C-130J (Egypt)

  In January 2022 the US State Department approved the potential sale of up to 12 C-130J tactical transport aircraft to Egypt. The deal is potentially worth ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | C-130J (Egypt)

  In January 2022 the US State Department approved the potential sale of up to 12 C-130J tactical transport aircraft to Egypt. The deal is potentially worth ...

• Data links

  Data links | C-130J (Egypt)

  In January 2022 the US State Department approved the potential sale of up to 12 C-130J tactical transport aircraft to Egypt. The deal is potentially worth ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  USAF C-130J MATS

  Training for USAF C-130J crews is managed under a programme called C-130J Maintenance and Aircrew Training System (MATS). Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor for ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  Italian Air Force C-130J Total Training System

  CAE’s C-130J Total Training System for the Italian Air Force (AMI) includes an OFT, cockpit avionics part-task trainer (CAPTT), computer-based training, training management information system ...

• Transport

  C-130J Super Hercules

  The C-130J Super Hercules is the latest model of the C-130 Hercules four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. The C-130J primarily performs the tactical portion of ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  C-130J MATS

  Lockheed Martin’s C-130J Maintenance and Aircrew Training System (MATS) programme provides a range of training devices and support services including aircrew instruction, operations, contractor logistics ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  Indian Air Force C-130J FMS

  CAE has designed and manufactured a C-130J FMS for the Indian Air Force. The device entered service at Hindan Air Base in 2012 and is ...

• ISR/special mission

  E-130J

  The E130J is being developed for the United States Navy as part of the Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) project to replace the E-6B ...

• Air: Defensive Systems - Radar Warning Receivers

  AN/ALR-56M(V)

  BAE Systems’ AN/ALR-56M Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) is a development of the company’s AN/ALR-56C RWR. The AN/ALR-56M’s architecture includes a superheterodyne receiver and controller, signals ...

• Maritime patrol, Transport

  HC-130H/J

  Based on the C-130H and C-130J transport aircraft, the HC-130H/J are long-range MPAs that also provide SAR and air transport capability. 

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-130J Super Hercules

  The KC-130J Super Hercules is a tanker variant of the C-130J Super Hercules. It is designed to deliver fuel to several platforms, including helicopters and ...

• ISR/special mission, Transport

  EC-130J Commando Solo

  The EC-130J Commando Solo is a special mission aircraft based on the C-130J transport airframe. It is used to conduct military information support operations and ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  RAAF Airlift Programme

  The RAAF Airlift Programme required CAE to design, develop and manufacture three full-flight simulators, one each for the C-130J, C-130H and Boeing 707. The 707 ...

• Air: surveillance and maritime patrol radar

  AN/APN-241

  The AN/APN-241 is a high-resolution ground mapping radar developed for C-130 mission and operational requirements. It enables accurate low-level navigation and precision aerial drops, predictive ...

• Transport

  C-27J Spartan

  The C-27J is a twin-turboprop tactical transport with new-generation technology in avionics, propulsion and systems. Alenia Aermacchi (now Leonardo) and Lockheed Martin began developing an ...

• ISR/special mission

  AC-130J

  The AC-130J 'Ghostrider' is a fifth-generation gunship manufactured by Lockheed Martin to replace the AC-130U/W gunships for the USAF deployed in 2019. The Ghostrider is a highly modified C-130J ...

• Fixed wing aircraft engines

  AE 2100

  The Rolls-Royce AE 2100 turboprop engine is a widely used military powerplant that can be found on Lockheed Martin C-130 variants (AE 2100D3), Leonardo C-27J ...