• Digital Battlespace

  Elbit awarded $200 million for artillery C4I and counter-fire solutions

  5th September 2023

  Elbit Systems has been awarded two contracts by an undisclosed European country, worth a combined $200 million, to supply a C4I solution to artillery battalions and a Hostile Fire Counter Attack (HFCA) system.

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2023: Varjo launches XR-4 mixed-reality headsets

  28th November 2023

  The new Varjo XR-4 mixed-reality headset, unveiled at I/ITSEC in Florida, provides what its developer termed 'higher image quality' and it can be used in offline secure training environments.

• Land Warfare

  US Army to power its ground fleet with alternative fuels

  28th December 2023

  The service has been researching hybrid electric systems, fuel efficiency, operational power generation and battery storage, as well as the use of hydrogen and synthetic power sources.

• Training

  Australia dives deep with $2 billion AUKUS submarine training investment

  12th December 2023

  The US has given the green light to a potential contract with Australia aimed at bolstering the AUKUS trilateral agreement by enhancing Royal Australian Navy training.

• Air Warfare

  Just released: UAS Technology Report 2023 now available to read

  15th November 2023

  How artificial intelligence and novel advanced sensors can take UAS operations to the next level.

• Training

  Saab awarded contract for T-7A aft section, while US Air Force tests ejection seat

  29th January 2024

  Saab has secured a contract from Boeing to manufacture vital components for the T-7A Red Hawk trainer jet amid ongoing ejection seat tests and undisclosed delivery timelines.

• Air Warfare

  RAF fighter pilot training situation is “unacceptable” for UK taxpayer, says industry official

  14th March 2024

  While the head of the Royal Air Force admits the ongoing issues with the service's ability to train its fighter pilots, no concrete plans were put in place to resolve the problem. What steps could the RAF take to ensure the readiness of its pilot force for future challenges?

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2023: AI and VR training platforms set to steal limelight in Orlando

  17th November 2023

  Modelling, simulation and training technologies event I/ITSEC will showcase innovations in AI, VR and AR, including Taqtile’s Manifest platform, RTI’s Connext platform and ARA’s CB-TASC project.

• Land Warfare

  Threats and opportunities: NATO demand for game-changing connectivity

  12th September 2023

  On 4 April 2023, Finland joined NATO. What can be learned from the country’s ability to assure resilient tactical communications?

• Land Warfare

  Elbit Systems signs agreement to build howitzers in Romania

  1st December 2023

  Elbit Systems has signed an agreement to establish a centre in Romania for the manufacture of the company’s 155mm Autonomous Truck Mounted Howitzer System (ATMOS) through …

• Digital Battlespace

  Viasat launches Black ICE software defined radio platform for secure data transmission

  2nd August 2023

  Viasat has unveiled its Black ICE Software Defined Radio (SDR) family, which is designed to enable secure data transmission with flexible waveform integration and meet high-demand requirements for mission-critical operations.

• Land Warfare

  US Army explores sending ground robots underwater for logistics supply

  2nd January 2024

  The US Army is conducting research with commercially available solutions to assess their performance carrying diverse types of payloads.

• Naval Warfare

  US Navy facing tough challenges in uncrewed vessel programmes

  5th January 2024

  The US Navy has major plans for uncrewed vessels, both surface and underwater, but faces programme challenges according to a review of information by the US Congressional Research Service (CRS).

• Land Warfare

  How soldier centred-design requirements will reshape future US Army’s capabilities

  7th December 2023

  The service has plans in place to involve soldiers in the early stages of acquisition and development programmes in addition to conducting more soldier touchpoint events.

• Land Warfare

  US successfully tests improved missile defence system and multi-stage separation

  12th December 2023

  The Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system has been deployed in multiple locations as the first and only operational missile defence system to defend the US against intermediate and long-range ballistic missile attacks.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16V Procurement [Slovakia]

  Programme Background Earlier in April 2018, the US State Department announced that it has approved a possible FMS deal of 14 F-16V aircraft for an ...

• Reconnaissance/patrol vehicles

  Belgium Jaguar Medium Common Armoured Vehicle Platform

  Programme Background In its Strategic Vision for Defence document published in June 2016, the Belgian MoD outlined its aspirations for equipping five motorised manoeuvre battalions ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  Belgium Griffon Light Common Armoured Vehicle Platform

  Programme Background In its Strategic Vision for Defence document published in June 2016, the Belgian MoD outlined its aspirations for equipping five motorised manoeuvre battalions ...

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

  Multidomian Micro Drones [USSOCOM]

  Background Special Notice On 14 November 2024, a Special Notice was released that informed the industry that the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) was looking for ...

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

  Force Protection Drone Systems [Poland]

  Background Force Protection In November 2024, the Polish Defence Ministry's Armaments Agency signed a PLN 499 million (US$127.6 million) agreement with WB Group for 12 Force Protection drone ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  6x6 APC (Philippines)

  Programme Background The Philippine Army has identified an urgent need for new wheeled APCs, after the Battle of Marawi exposed shortcomings in its existing fleet ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-15SA Saudi Arabia

  The aircraft deal includes 170 APG-63(v)3 AESA radar sets, 193 F-110-GE-129 Improved Performance Engines, 100 M61 Vulcan Cannons, 338 Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems amongst ...

• Fighter - multirole

  JAS 39E/F Gripen (Brazil)

  In 2016, Gripen’s Project and Development Center was opened in Sao Paulo to allow Sweedish and Brazillian engineers to work together in the Gripen development ...

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

  Bayraktar TB2 (Qatar)

  Programme Background In 2018 at DIMDEX, it was revealed that Qatar had bought six Bayraktar TB2 UAVs from Turkey. The deal also included three ground control stations, ...

• Loitering munitions

  Artemis [US]

  Background Origin Artemis was begun in 2024 due to the demand from the US European Command and Indo-Pacific Command for UAVs that met the below requirements. ...

• Military helicopters - scout/light attack

  Bell 407GX

  The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency noted that the proposed sale of five Bell 407GX helicopters will help compensate for the combat loss of seven IA407 helicopters ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  Tejas LCA - India Follow-On

  According to the HAL's chairman R Madhavan, 'apart from all the capabilities of IOC aircraft, the FOC variant additionally comes with an air-to-air refuelling capability, close-combat ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Kfir Replacement [Colombia]

  Programme Background In May 2021, budget constraints prompted new Colombian finance minister José Manuel Restrepo (in post since 3 May) to place on indefinite hold ...

• Military helicopters - scout/light attack

  MD 530F -Kenya

  Crew transition training took place at the MD Helicopters headquarters in Mesa, Arizona, with field service support, armament, and gunnery training scheduled to occur at ...

• Loitering munitions, Military UAS - fixed-wing

  Replicator 1 [US]

  Programme Background Announcement & Requirement In late August 2023, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks announced the Replicator programme, an effort to galvanise an industry which ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  BNET-V

  BNET-V is a MANET Software-Defined Radio for vehicles. Designed by Rafael, the multiband radio has a modular architecture and offers compatibility with several legacy systems.

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  Next Generation Survivor Radio

  The Next Generation Survivor Radio (NGSR) is a software-defined radio being developed by General Dynamics Mission Systems. It is expected to enter into service after June 2026.

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  Sentry Mesh 6161

  The Sentry Mesh 6161-L is a software-defined radio produced by Domo Tactical Communications and Codan Communications. Unveiled in 2023, the L-band radio is marketed at soldier ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM, Naval: Radio and SATCOM

  CNHF1

  Produced by KNL, the CNHF1 is a software-defined HF radio system with cognitive radio capabilities. Capable of receiving the entire HF spectrum, it provides secure, ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  F@stnet Twin

  Thales F@stnet Twin is a lightweight, dual-channel software-defined radio for dismounted soldiers. Launched in 2010, it is a member of the PR4G/F@stnet product family.

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  THOR VRM

  THOR VRM (Vehicle Radio Module) is a software-defined radio being developed by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace as of Q3 FY2023. It is expected to enter ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  PRC-525

  The PRC-525 Combat Net Radio is a software-defined radio covering HF, VHF and UHF bands in a single unit. Offered in multiple configurations, it provides ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  MR6000A

  A member of Rohde & Schwarz's M3AR product family, the MR6000A is an airborne software-defined radio. Notably, it features an integrated cryptographic module, and the radio ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  SDR Family

  Designed to provide high-speed data and voice communications to support land, maritime and air platform applications on the digital battlefield. The family of SDRs consists ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  MCR1025

  Reutech's LANDSEC MCR1025 is an HF manpack radio system in service with the South African National Defence Force. Notably, it supports Automatic Link Establishment (ALE) ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  SWave VQ1

  Leonardo SWave VQ1 is a quad-channel software-defined radio node. Designed for headquarters and command vehicles, it provides secure voice and data through multiple legacy and ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM, UAS: communication systems

  R&S SDAR

  The R&S; SDAR is a software-defined airborne radio that extends the R&S; M3AR airborne radio family. The R&S; SDAR offers secure broadband voice and data ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  ESR-P

  Developed by Thales, the ESR-P (Équipement radio standard-Portatif) is a dual-band, handheld software-defined radio designed for France's CONTACT communications programme. Having completed evaluations in December 2023, it ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Aselsan 9681 V/UHF

  Aselsan 9681 V/UHF is a software-defined radio with frequency hopping and encryption capabilities. Designed for air platforms, it has been in service with the Turkish ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  TRC-1222 Rondon

  The TRC-1222 Rondon is a software-defined, multiband radio system produced by IMBEL. Offered in handheld, manpack and vehicular configurations, it is procured by the Brazilian Army.