• Defence Notes

  Norway plans higher defence spending in 2023 amid modernisation push, Russian threat

  6th October 2022

  Norway expects to spend 9.8% more on defence in 2023, although the pace of investment in new equipment will be slower than in 2022.

• Naval Warfare

  US Navy retains Lockheed Martin for additional Integrated Submarine Imaging System work

  9th September 2022

  The USN has ordered engineering services for the Integrated Submarine Imaging System.

• Naval Warfare

  Sri Lanka’s second ex-USCG cutter sails for home

  7th September 2022

  Sri Lanka's second Hamilton-class cutter from the US will arrive home in about two months' time, whilst an Indian shipbuilder is constructing a dry dock for the SLN.

• Digital Battlespace

  US Navy turns to Raytheon for continued F/A-18 radar support

  9th September 2022

  Raytheon will carry on repairing AN/APG-65 and AN/APG-73 radar systems for the USN.

• Training

  BISim rolls out major revamp to VBS4 and bags new Mantle ETM customer, says CCO

  10th November 2022

  The VBS4 updates include a range of new features and general improvements, while the latest version of the terrain enterprise Mantle ETM supports Common Database (CDB) format.

• Air Warfare

  Thailand seals order for Hermes 900

  28th September 2022

  Having emerged ahead of three other proposals in a competitive tender, Elbit Systems has officially received an order to supply the Royal Thai Navy with Hermes 900 UASs.

• Defence Notes

  UK defence strategy since the Integrated Review: the view from Washington

  26th September 2022

  What do US policymakers make of UK strategic thinking in the wake of the Integrated Review, and how could subsequent events affect the transatlantic defence relationship?

• Air Warfare

  AUSA 2022: MAG Aerospace and L3Harris propose converted commercial bizjet for US Army airborne ISR

  13th October 2022

  Converted Bombardier Global Express 6500s would close an ISR gap for the US Army in the Indo-Pacific region.

• Naval Warfare

  Maritime first is the right defence posture for the UK

  22nd September 2022

  The RN seemed the apparent winner when the Integrated Review was first published. Despite the war in Ukraine reminding the West of the importance of solid land and air capabilities, a maritime or navy-first defence posture is still the best option for the UK.

• Defence Notes

  Fast decisions from cognitive electronic warfare technology may be crucial to spectrum dominance

  8th November 2022

  Cognitive electronic warfare (EW), including the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, may be key to future developments, when a capability to deal with combat situations requires decisions in micro-seconds.

• Air Warfare

  Moog selected to support US Armed Overwatch programme

  18th October 2022

  Moog will provide its weapon stores management system for all 75 aircraft delivered under the US Armed Overwatch Programme.

• Naval Warfare

  US Navy aircraft carrier weapon crews to receive ballistic shields

  5th September 2022

  Lateral and centre panel assemblies will provide advanced protection for crewed weapon stations aboard USN nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.

• Naval Warfare

  Brandenburg-class frigates to begin upgrade

  26th September 2022

  The German Navy needs its four Brandenburg-class frigates equipped to face the maritime challenges of the era of so-called Great Power Competition.

• Training

  AUSA 2022: Cubic introduces new indirect fire training systems

  13th October 2022

  Appetite in the US – and elsewhere – to improve both direct and indirect fire training has grown. Cubic is closely engaged with the US Army to improve and expand simulations and training system on both areas.

• Naval Warfare

  Every picture tells a story as Egyptian Navy frigate obtains Italian EW upgrade

  12th September 2022

  Photos released by the USN in late August reveal that new electronic countermeasures and SATCOM equipment has been installed aboard the Egyptian frigate Al-Galala.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Maritime patrol

  P-8A Poseidon [US]

  Programme Background The P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) system is a heavily modified and militarized derivative of Boeing's 737-800 ERX commercial aircraft. The P-8A is ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  CH-53K (Follow-On) [US Navy]

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

• Maritime patrol

  P-8A Poseidon [UK]

  Programme Background In July 2016, the UK government announced that it had ordered nine aircraft for service with the RAF. Under this frame, in January ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Constellation Class - FFG(X) (11-20)

  The US Navy ran the Next Generational Future Guided Missile Frigate (FFG X) programme to build a replacement for the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates, the ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Constellation Class - FFG(X) (11-20)

  The US Navy ran the Next Generational Future Guided Missile Frigate (FFG X) programme to build a replacement for the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates, the ...

• 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 ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | F-35B STOVL Future Procurement - US Navy

  The US Navy is planning to order 115 F-35B STOVLs between FY2026 and FY2031 under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The purchase is estimated ...

• Data links

  Data links | F-35B STOVL Future Procurement - US Navy

  The US Navy is planning to order 115 F-35B STOVLs between FY2026 and FY2031 under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The purchase is estimated ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | F-35B STOVL Future Procurement - US Navy

  The US Navy is planning to order 115 F-35B STOVLs between FY2026 and FY2031 under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The purchase is estimated ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | F-35B STOVL Future Procurement - US Navy

  The US Navy is planning to order 115 F-35B STOVLs between FY2026 and FY2031 under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The purchase is estimated ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | F-35B STOVL Future Procurement - US Navy

  The US Navy is planning to order 115 F-35B STOVLs between FY2026 and FY2031 under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The purchase is estimated ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | F-35C Carrier Variant (CV) Future Procurement

  The US Navy is planning to order 130 F-35Cs between FY2026 and FY2030 under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The purchase is estimated be ...

• Data links

  Data links | F-35C Carrier Variant (CV) Future Procurement

  The US Navy is planning to order 130 F-35Cs between FY2026 and FY2030 under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The purchase is estimated be ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | F-35C Carrier Variant (CV) Future Procurement

  The US Navy is planning to order 130 F-35Cs between FY2026 and FY2030 under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The purchase is estimated be ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | F-35C Carrier Variant (CV) Future Procurement

  The US Navy is planning to order 130 F-35Cs between FY2026 and FY2030 under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The purchase is estimated be ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• US Navy T-44C training services

  In late 2013, CAE received a contract to provide the USN with comprehensive T-44C aircrew training services at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas. CAE USA is ...

• Maritime patrol

  US-2

  The ShinMaywa US-2 is an amphibious short take-off and landing aircraft used primarily by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) for SAR. 

• Military - USVs

  Voyager

  Voyager is an Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) built by US-based Saildrone. Voyager has been used by the US Navy (USN) and is one of three ...

• Destroyers

  Kee Lung (Kidd) Class

  The Kee Lung-class consists of four ex-US Kidd-class guided missile destroyers in service with the Republic of China Navy (ROCN). The ships were originally built for ...

• Military - UUVs

  Orca

  Orca is an extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicle (XLUUV) developed by Boeing for the US Navy (USN).

• Military - UUVs

  Mission Specialist Defender

  The Mission Specialist Defender is a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) developed by VideoRay, now part of BlueHalo's unmanned maritime systems. The ROV is known ...

• Military - USVs

  Explorer

  Saildrone's Explorer is the smallest of three USVs designed and built by the US-based USV manufacturer Saildrone. The system is used by the US Navy (USN) ...

• EO/IR systems, Sea: ship surveillance and fire control systems

  SeaFLIR 380-HD

  The SeaFLIR 380-HD is a long-range, multispectral surveillance system for surface vessels. Manufactured by Teledyne FLIR, the system combines HD IR, colour or SWIR spectral information. According to ...

• Unguided Medium Calibre Ammunition

  MK266 High Explosive Incendiary with Tracer

  The MK266 High Explosive Incendiary with Tracer is a 30mm medium calibre round manufactured by Northrop Grumman. It is currently in use with the US Navy.

• Data links

  GNOMAD US Domestic

  The US domestic version of GNOMAD (see separate entry) is a ruggedised system comprising a satellite antenna and baseband modular chassis that can be installed ...

• Military - UUVs

  Snakehead LDUUV

  The Snakehead Large Displacement Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle (LDUUV) is a US Navy (USN) Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle (UUV) designed to be launched from submarine Dry Dock Shelters ...

• Unguided Medium Calibre Ammunition

  XM1198 High Explosive Dual Purpose with Self Destruct (HEDP-SD)

  The XM1198 High Explosive Dual Purpose with Self Destruct (HEDP-SD) is a 30mm medium calibre round manufactured by Northrop Grumman. The US Navy uses the XM1198.

• Unguided Medium Calibre Ammunition

  XM950 Target Practice Round

  The XM950 Target Practice Round is a 30mm medium calibre training round manufactured by Northrop Grumman. The US Navy uses the XM950 for training with its ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Integrated Combat System

  The Integrated Combat System (ICS) is a combat management system being developed for the US Navy. The project, currently led by Lockheed Martin, aims to ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Navy Multiband Terminal (NMT)

  The Navy Multiband Terminal is the next-generation maritime military SATCOM for the US Navy and allied nations. The terminal integrates EHF and AEHF systems with ...