• Digital Battlespace

  SOFIC 2012: Systems Technology launches training system

  28th May 2012

  Systems Technology has launched the Fused Reality training system at the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference in Tampa, Florida. The system mixes the two conventional …

• Land Warfare

  ITEC 2012: NATO to expand serious gaming output

  24th May 2012

  NATO is expanding its serious gaming output with new immersive software which will teach soldiers how to handle situations in small communities. An Afghanistan-based scenario …

• Digital Battlespace

  SOFIC 2012: ITT awarded USAF encryption contract

  23rd May 2012

  USAF has awarded ITT Exelis a contract to develop a prototype of its self-encrypting drives for UAV and laptop applications. The company has developed 'trusted …

• Defence Notes

  ITEC 2012: Calls for training to replicate high-pressure scenarios

  23rd May 2012

  Armed forces must integrate Recognition Primed Decision Making (RPDM) processes into existing training programmes to assist soldiers responding correctly to high-pressure situations, Shephard has been …

• Digital Battlespace

  ITEC 2012: VStep's security camera trainer keeps operators sharp

  23rd May 2012

  Dutch firm Vstep is showing off its security camera training simulator, called EyeObserve at ITEC 2012.The company has designed and produced 3D models of central …

• Defence Notes

  ITEC 2012: CAE highlights simulation budget restrictions

  23rd May 2012

  CAE UK's managing director, Ian Bell has warned of  'massive pressure' on defence budgets worldwide in the realm of simulation and training. Speaking to Shephard …

• Digital Battlespace

  SOFIC 2012: C4ISR key to SOC operations

  23rd May 2012

  Special Operations Command (SOC) commanders have outlined the importance of C4ISR systems within international SOC operations.  'BICES [Battlefield Information Collection and Exploitation System] is pretty …

• Digital Battlespace

  ITEC 2012: ProjectionDesign debut next generation NVG stimulating projector

  22nd May 2012

  ProjectionDesign is debuting its LED-based NVG-stimulating projector at ITEC 2012.The FS33 uses a second generation solid state LED illumination system which reduces the level of …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Digital Wasp AE SUAS introduced

  22nd May 2012

  AeroVironment has launched a digital upgrade to its Wasp SUAS, which has already received an order from the USAF. Announced during the Special Operations Forces …

• Land Warfare

  ITEC 2012: Sim specialist highlights virtual reality deficiencies

  22nd May 2012

  CAE is considering expansion into virtual reality training for squad-level operations despite reservations that 'hi-tech' systems do not provide an all-up solution for infantry units. …

• Defence Helicopter

  HH-60G Pave Hawk simulator enters USAF service

  21st May 2012

  FlightSafety has announced that its new Sikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter simulator has entered service at Kirtland US Air Force (USAF) Base in New Mexico …

• Land Warfare

  Lockheed Martinâ??s EAPS undergoes testing

  15th May 2012

  Lockheed Martin has announced that it has successfully conducted a series of target tracking tests against Rocket, Artillery and Mortar (RAM) targets using its Extended …

• Naval Warfare

  HP to review NGEN RfP

  10th May 2012

  HP has reaffirmed its interest in the US Navy’s Next Generation Enterprise Network (NGEN) and the company says it will ‘thoroughly review’ the RfP released …

• Land Warfare

  SOFEX 2012: Simulation critical for SOF HVT missions

  10th May 2012

  Simulation will maximise but never replace 'live' training, the USSOCOM's programme manager for special operations forces (SOF) training systems has announced. Speaking at the Special …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  SOFEX 2012: US Army to extend SMSS evaluation

  8th May 2012

  The US Army's Rapid Equipping Force (REF) is working through 'contractual obligations' to extend the evaluation of the Squad Mission Support System (SMSS) in Afghanistan, …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Loitering munitions

  Project Brakestop [UK]

  Programme Background Information Notice On 25 September 2024, the UK MoD published a prior information notice on Project Brakestop, which informed the industry about the upcoming ...

• Loitering munitions

  Medium Range Precision Strike (MRPS) [UK]

  Programme Background Prior Information Notice (PIN) On 21 October 2024, the MoD published a PIN in collaboration with the Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S;). The notice ...

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

  Dominator XP [Thailand]

  Programme Background Purchase As reported by Shephard, in September 2023, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) inducted three Dominator XPs. The RTAF purchased the trio ...

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

  Project Corvus [UK]

  Programme Background Retirement In November 2024, speaking in the House of Commons, Defence Secretary John Healey stated that the WK 450 Watchkeeper was to be retired ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  CH-47F Chinook (Singapore)

  Programme Background In July 2020, photos have emerged on the internet of the first Boeing CH-47F Chinook destined for the Republic of Singapore Air Force ...

• Transport

  VC-25B - USAF

  The modifications to the 747-8 aircraft will include an electrical power upgrade with dual Auxiliary Power Units that are usable in flight, a mission communication ...

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

  Anka-S (Second Batch) [Turkey]

  Programme Background First Batch Based on comments by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and Turkish media in 2018, Shephard believes that Türkiye acquired 26 Anka-S drones ...

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

  MQ-9B SkyGuardian (US)

  Programme Background On 6 March 2023, GA-ASI announced that the Air Force Special Operations Command (ASFOC) had contracted three MQ-9B SkyGaurdians, making it the first US customer of the ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | SSN(X) Programme [USN]

  The US Navy may be far from reaching the end of procuring the current Virginia-class nuclear attack submarines (SSNs), but that does not mean planning for ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | SSN(X) Programme [USN]

  The US Navy may be far from reaching the end of procuring the current Virginia-class nuclear attack submarines (SSNs), but that does not mean planning for ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  Mi-28NE Night Hunter

  Algerian military's follow-up order suggests that the country is satisfied with the Mi-28NE Night Hunters' performance in operational conditions in the desert environment featuring sandstorms ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  F-5E/F Adversary Trainer US Navy

  The F-5N is a single seat, dual engine supersonic land based fighter. It is designed to a service life of 9000 flight hours. The aircraft ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  New Water Jet Fast Attack Craft (NWJFAC) (1-31) [India]

  Programme Background Requirements The Indian Navy is seeking replacements for a large proportion of its 19 46-49m-long waterjet-powered fast attack craft, several of which are approaching ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  HH-60W - Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH)

  According to the FY2021 Base funding, the HH-60W helicopter unit cost is $43.2 million. The HH-60W will be capable of employment day or night, in ...

• Loitering munitions

  ZT-180 [Russia]

  Programme Background Claims On 23 February 2023, DER SPIEGEL reported that, according to information it had gathered, China and Russia were negotiating the purchase of 100 ZT-180 ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: surveillance and maritime patrol radar

  AN/APQ-181

  The AN/APQ-181 is a low-probability-of-intercept radar fitted to USAF Northrop Grumman B-2 stealth bombers. During the B-2 Radar Modernization Program – completed in 2012 – the ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  CreoLand HP

  CreoLand HP is a 10W MANET radio designed for command centres, long-range applications, artillery and special forces units. Notably, it offers a data throughput of 100Mbps ...

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

  H10 Poseidon

  The H10 Poseidon is a fixed-wing VTOL-capable UAV manufactured by Swamrly. Due to the UAV's electric propulsion system, small-radar cross-section, lack of detachable thermal signature and ability to operate ...

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

  DT-101

  The DT-101 is a small fixed-wing UAV from Deftech. The VTOL-capable platform features SATCOM with up to 10Mbs bandwidth capability. DefTech lists various payloads for ...

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

  ARX

  Unveiled at Xponential 2024, the ARX is a fixed-wing drone developed by Tekever.  It features common electronics and software with other Tekever drones. Unlike those ...

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

  DT-001

  The DT-001 is a tandem wing UCAV from Deftech. It can host a range of non-offensive payloads, such as IO/EO cameras and an airborne LIDAR. ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - small

  Khronos

  The Khronos is a tethered, fully automated UAV for ISR missions in GPS/GNSS-denied and RF-denied environments. The drone's manufacturer, Elistair, stated that it could be deployed from a ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini

  Spider VTOL

  The Spider VTOL is a mini electrical fixed-wing UAV. Unlike traditional VTOL UAVs with dedicated motors, propellors and structural parts for performing take-off and landing, the Spider ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  AN/VRC-118(V)1

  The AN/VRC-118(V)1 is a Mid-tier Networking Vehicular Radio (MNVR) which provides warfighters with the ability to share situational awareness. The MNVR utilises two joint tactical ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - small

  BLADE-55

  The Ballistic Loitering Attack Drone (BLADE, or BLADE-55) is a multi-role, weaponised rotary-wing UAV from Alare Technologies.  The drone can notably host two NAMMO M72 LAW weapons. Additionally, the ...

• Data links

  MAQA Terminal 3.8m Flyaway Variant

  The Modular Aperture Quad-Band Antenna (MAQA) Terminal is designed to provide a ruggedised, mobile, quad-band SATCOM terminal that supports operations with the WGS constellation, legacy ...

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

  Disruptor

  Publically unveiled at AUSA 2024, the Disruptor is a loitering munition and UAV manufactured by AEVEX Aerospace. The Group III aircraft utilises a pneumatic launcher or Rocket Assisted ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  AN/ARC-231 Skyfire

  The AN/ARC-231 Skyfire is an airborne VHF/UHF/LOS and DAMA SATCOM system. This system supports US DoD requirements for airborne, multi-band, multi-mission, secure anti-jam voice, data ...

• OPVs

  Afrika Class (Vard 7 055)

  The Afrika-class (Vard 7 055) is a 53m OPV developed by Vard Marine. Designed to undertake surveillance, patrol and response operations with the EEZ, the ...

• Major networking projects

  ISOM

  Integrated SATCOM Global Information Grid Operations and Management (ISOM) develops a scalable and policy-based management system that enables automatic allocation and provisioning of SATCOM resources. ...