• Defence Notes

  Paris Air Show: Textron unleashes the Wolverine (video)

  17th June 2015

  Textron Aviation is displaying its Beechcraft AT-6 light attack and reconnaissance aircraft, which has recently been rebranded as the ‘Wolverine’, at this year’s Paris Air …

• Defence Helicopter

  Paris Air Show: What’s in store?

  12th June 2015

  Although the biennial air show in Paris has become increasingly dominated by the commercial airline sector, much like its British counterpart at Farnborough, there will …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Textron Systems joins UAS Denmark

  27th May 2015

  Textron Systems announced on 26 May that it will become part of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Denmark industry network, where it will participate in …

• Digital Battlespace

  Textron releases thin-client iCommand 2.0 suite

  21st May 2015

  Textron Systems Advanced Information Solutions announced the release of the Integrated Command (iCommand) 2.0 suite on 19 May - a new thin-client version of iCommand. …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Textron expands unmanned training options

  7th May 2015

  Textron announced the introduction of its new unmanned systems training course catalogue on 4 May, with a comprehensive range of unmanned systems coursework. The company …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  AUVSI 2015: Common USV headed to critical design review

  5th May 2015

  The Textron Systems Common Unmanned Surface Vehicle will head to the critical design review in the next six months in a bid to finalise the …

• Defence Helicopter

  AAR to provide logistics services for T64 engine upgrade

  24th April 2015

  AAR Defense Systems & Logistics (DS&L) has been awarded a logistics contract from Bell Helicopter Textron in support of upgrading T64 engines for the Bell …

• Military Logistics

  Textron to build two US LCAC vehicles

  15th April 2015

  Textron Systems Marine and Land Systems has been awarded a contract option to build two next-generation Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) vehicles, the company announced …

• Naval Warfare

  SAS 2015: New LCACs ramp up

  14th April 2015

  The first new Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) vessels built under the US Navy’s Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC) programme are set to be delivered. Speaking at …

• Defence Helicopter

  Quad A 2015: Bell displays V-280 simulator

  31st March 2015

  A new simulator for the V-280 Valor tiltrotor aircraft is on show for the first time at the Quad A exhibition in Nashville. Bell Helicopter …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  US Army activates Apache-Shadow V2 UAV unit

  20th March 2015

  The first US Army Apache battalion to organically pair with new Shadow V2 (RQ-7Bv2) UAVs has been activated. US Army officials announced that the 1st …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  US SOCOM to start MEUAS III

  19th March 2015

  The US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is expected to release a Request for Proposals (RfP) this month for next-generation UAS. This will be a continuation …

• Digital Battlespace

  Textron simulator selected for F-35 EW system testing

  18th March 2015

  The Model 527 Radar Signal Simulator by Textron Systems Electronic Systems has been selected for pre-flight testing of F-35 Lightning II electronic warfare (EW) systems, …

• Defence Helicopter

  Singapore outlines new helicopter and MRAP plans

  10th March 2015

  The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) plans to replace its Airbus Helicopters AS332/532 aircraft and Textron Marine & Land Systems V-200 4x4 armoured vehicles, it has …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  IDEX 2015: Aerosonde wins oil and gas work

  25th February 2015

  Textron Systems has revealed that it has at least two customers in the Middle East for its Aerosonde M4.7 UAS, which is being used in …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - tactical

  Nightwarden (Qatar)

  Programme Background The Qatar MoD has established the Surveillance and Reconnaissance Center to carry out ISR missions for the Qatar Armed Forces. Among its roles ...

• Trainer

  Beechcraft King Air 260 [Canada]

  Programme Background  The Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) programme was developed by the Royal Canadian Airforce to renew aircrew training services to help maintain a multi-purpose and ...

• Military UAS - small

  Aerosonde (Qatar)

  Programme Background The Qatar MoD has established the Surveillance and Reconnaissance Center to carry out ISR missions for the Qatar Armed Forces. Among its roles ...

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

  RQ-7 Shadow Replacement / Post Future Tactical UAS (FTUAS) [US Army]

  Background Future Tactical UAS (FTUAS) The US Army planned to procure an FTUAS to replace the Textron Systems RQ-7Bv2 Shadow tactical UAV in service with ...

• Landing craft and hovercraft

  LCAC 100 Class (SSC) [USN]

  Programme Background Timeline The major role of the SSC will be deployment from landing ships in support of USN and USMC operations and the transport ...

• Data links

  Data links | T-6 Texan II [Japan]

  In December 2024, reports indicated that the Japanese Government selected the T-6C Texan II as the new trainer aircraft for the Japanese Air Self-Defence Forces. ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | T-6 Texan II [Japan]

  In December 2024, reports indicated that the Japanese Government selected the T-6C Texan II as the new trainer aircraft for the Japanese Air Self-Defence Forces. ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | T-6 Texan II [Japan]

  In December 2024, reports indicated that the Japanese Government selected the T-6C Texan II as the new trainer aircraft for the Japanese Air Self-Defence Forces. ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | T-6 Texan II [Japan]

  In December 2024, reports indicated that the Japanese Government selected the T-6C Texan II as the new trainer aircraft for the Japanese Air Self-Defence Forces. ...

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

  Future Tactical UAS (FTUAS) (Increment 1) [USA]

  Programme Background Programme Objective The Future Tactical UAS (FTUAS) was to provide a tactical ISTAR capability for US Army Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs). It was ...

• Trainer

  Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS)/T-45 Replacement [USN]

  Programme Background Requirements The US Navy’s (USN) Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) programme is intended to replace the troubled T-45 Goshhawk trainer. The June 2024 RFI includes ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  T-6C (Tunisia)

  Programme Background Requirement The Tunisian Air Force has a requirement for light aircraft in order to replace its ageing SF-206 and L-59T trainers. The country ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Iraq Federal Police 4x4 Patrol Vehicle

  The failure of this Iraqi Federal Police requirement for an additional 300 vehicles to translate into a contract may be related to issues encountered with ...

• Military helicopters - light/training

  Bell 505 (Jordan)

  Programme Background Requirement The Jordanian Air Force has a requirement for training helicopters that are to be used in the King Hussein Air College. The country ...

• Military helicopters - light/training

  Bell 505 (South Korea - Army)

  Programme Background Requirement South Korea operates an ageing fleet of Bell UH-1s and MD 500s for training purposes. The country has already replaced a part of ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

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

  Aerosonde HQ SUAS

  The Aerosonde Hybrid Quadcopter (HQ) SUAS is the VTOL version of the Aerosonde SUAS. It combines the capabilities of a multi-rotor platform with the efficiency ...

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

  Aerosonde Mk 4.7

  Jointly developed by AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems, a unit of Textron Systems, and Aerosonde, the Aerosonde Mk 4.7 is a fixed-wing UAV.  First demonstrated in 2009, ...

• 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 ...

• Loitering munitions, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Damocles

  Unveiled in October 2025, the Damocles launched effect (LE) is a rotary-wing coaxial UAV designed to operate in peer warfare environments. Its primary role is as ...

• Air: mission management systems

  iCommand 2.5

  The iCommand 2.5 is the latest version of the iCommand integrated command suite, designed by Textron Systems Advanced Information Solutions. The system has been designed ...

• Medium/general-purpose machine guns

  7.62mm CT MMG

  Since June 2014, the US Army has awarded contracts totalling $7.7 million to Textron Systems to develop a 7.62mm version of the 5.56mm light machine ...

• Heavy UGVs

  Ripsaw M3

  The Ripsaw M3 is a tracked UGV developed by Textron Systems in partnership with Howe & Howe and Teledyne FLIR Systems. The vehicle has been developed ...

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

  Aerosonde Mk 4.8 HQ FTUAS

  From the Texton family of Aerosonde UAS, the Aerosonde Mk 4.8 Hybrid Quad (HQ) FTUAS is a tactical drone purpose-built to meet the US Army's Future Vertical Lift ...

• Guided munitions

  Fury

  The Fury is a lightweight, precision-guided glide munition developed collaboratively by Textron Systems and Thales UK. Weighing approximately 6kg, with a length of 68cm and a ...

• Landing craft and hovercraft

  LCAC 100 Class (SSC)

  The LCAC 100-class Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC) is an amphibious landing craft designed to replace the USN's existing Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) vessels. Nine have ...

• Military helicopters - light/training

  Bell 505

  The Bell 505 is a light, single-engine helicopter initially designed for the utility, executive/passenger and law enforcement markets produced by Bell Textron. The Montenegrin Air ...

• Maritime patrol

  Cessna Maritime Patrol

  The Cessna 'special mission' Maritime Patrol Aircraft is a variant of the Cessna Citation Longitude business jet developed by Textron aviation. Textron has stated the onboard systems, ...

• EW test systems, Air: air combat simulators

  PRTS

  The Portable Range Threat Simulator (PRTS) is a modular package that adds long-range capabilities to Textron Systems' Radar Signal Simulator. 

• Heavy UGVs

  Ripsaw M5

  The Ripsaw M5 has been developed to meet the requirements of the US Army's Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) programme for a family of new UGVs. ...

• Trainer

  Beechcraft King Air 260 (T-54A)

  The Beechcraft King Air 260 is a twin-engine turboprop which the USN has selected as part of the Multi-Engine Training System (METS) programme. Ten aircraft were ...