• Training

  I/ITSEC 2017: VBS3 integrated into Australia’s air defence sim

  2nd December 2017

  BAE Systems has selected Bohemia Interactive Simulations (BISim) to integrate its VBS3 and VBS IG into Australia’s Advanced Air Defence Simulator (AADS). The AADS is …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2017: US Army looks to avoid the tyranny of training

  28th November 2017

  The US Army wants to escape the ‘tyranny of training’ as it continues to look for multi-domain and home based training solutions that are viewed …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Commercial UAV Expo 2017: Analysts project ‘lumpy and bumpy’ drone growth

  26th October 2017

  Speaking at this week’s Commercial UAV Expo in Las Vegas industry analysts addressed some conflicting projections regarding the potential size of the drone market. Two …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2017: MetaVR expands its terrain

  26th November 2017

  MetaVR is set to showcase new features in its terrain and visualisation simulation technology at I/ITSEC 2017 in Oralndo.  The company will demonstrate Its Virtual Reality …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Ammunition boost for US Reapers

  29th November 2017

  General Atomics has been awarded a contract with the US Air Force to integrate laser small diameter bombs onto the MQ-9 Reaper UAS. The contract, announced on …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2017: Esterline to showcase new products

  25th November 2017

  I/ITSEC 2017 will see Esterline Simulation Visual Systems (SVS) launch its new five-channel TD-550 deployable dome display system and the NOCTIS edge-blending solution in a …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2017: What to expect (video)

  23rd November 2017

  As the largest annual training and simulation event draws closer, the Shephard team looks at what to expect from this year's I/ITSEC in Orlando, Florida. 

• Naval Warfare

  Canada warns against stealth frigate proposals

  6th December 2017

  The Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) project encountered its latest rough patch as the Canadian government moved to publicly reject proposals not submitted through the formal process. The …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2017: Robotic infantry target debuts (video)

  28th November 2017

  Pratt & Miller Defense has debuted the newest addition to its Trackless Moving Targets (TMT) family at this year's I/ITSEC with a solution that replicates …

• Defence Notes

  QinetiQ opens new laser research facility

  28th November 2017

  QinetiQ has opened a new facility for the development and testing of advanced laser technology at its headquarters in Farnborough, UK, the company announced on …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Dubai Airshow 2017: UMS Skeldar soaring into Middle East

  16th November 2017

  UMS Skeldar will be conducting flight campaigns with its R-350 VTOL platform in the Middle Eastern region next year. A new enhanced version of the …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Europe ‘informally’ agrees on new drone rules

  30th November 2017

  The European Union’s aviation sector looks to have been given a shot in the arm following an ‘informal’ agreement between the European Parliament (EP) and …

• Defence Helicopter

  AW101 programme suffers setback

  27th November 2017

  The Leonardo AW101 Norwegian All-Weather SAR Helicopter (NAWSARH) programme has suffered a setback only a week after the first type was delivered to the Norwegian Ministry of …

• Naval Warfare

  Lürssen wins Australian OPV contract

  24th November 2017

  The Australian government announced that prime contractor Lürssen had won a design and construction contract for 12 OPVs for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) under …

• Land Warfare

  D&S 2017: Thailand rains down rockets and artillery

  9th November 2017

  The Thai Ministry of Defence (MoD) displayed its newest artillery project at the Defense & Security 2017 expo in Bangkok, this being an effort to …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Loitering munitions

  DELI [Türkiye]

  Programme Background Speaking to Shephard at SAHA Expo 2022, a spokesperson stated that the platform was expected to enter into service with the Turkish Armed ...

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

  Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) (Tranche 2) / Rucksack Portable UAS (RPUAS) [USA]

  Programme Background The Rucksack Portable UAS (RPUAS) Programme The RPUAS programme will provide the battalion and below-ground manoeuvre elements within the US Army with an ...

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

  Micro UAV [Argentina]

  Programme Background Tender The EA and MoD in April 2021 announced Public Tender 0090/2021 (UOC: 84/135), which saw the General Directorate of Material begin the process ...

• Military helicopters - attack

  AH-64E Apache (Indian Air Force)

  Programme Background The Indian Army was originally granted co-ownership of the 22 Apaches by the Indian MoD. However, the IAF refused to cede them to ...

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

  ISR Civilian-Made UAVs [Taiwan]

  Background Civilian-made, Military-specification As reported by Shephard in April 2025, to accelerate the acquisition process and urgently build a larger UAV inventory, Taipei is enlisting the private ...

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

  Containerized Autonomous Drone Delivery System (CADDS) [US]

  Background CADDS Concept In early February 2026, the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) stated that it required the ability to rapidly deploy large quantities of UAS ...

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

  Sovereign UAS Challenge [Australia]

  Background Chinese Drones Banned As reported by Shephard in August 2023, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) previously used commercial UAS from companies such as DJI ...

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

  Akinci [Libya]

  Programme Background 2022 Reports In October 2022, various Libyan media outlets reported that the country was eyeing a possible procurement from Baykar, possibly the Akinici ...

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

  ScanEagle [Czechia]

  Programme Background Earmarked The ACR took delivery of ten ScanEagle systems (100 UAVs), which were received as a donation from the US in 2015. In ...

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

  TUAS [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Tender & Requirments The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) issued a tender in May 2020 to provide a new Tactical Uncrewed Aerial System (TUAS). ...

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

  Large ULS-A / Aerial Logistics Connector (ALC) [USMC]

  Background US Marine ULS-A programmes The US Marines are seeking a family of Unmanned Logistics Systems-Air (ULS-A), which will provide logistics and ground units with their ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  C-37A - USAF

  Programme Background The USAF was using C-20B transport aircraft, variant of civilian Gulfstream III, to provide worldwide airlift for DoD and government officials. With the ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  OC-135B Replacement (USAF- Cancelled)

  Programme Background The modification and Treaty Certification works include Digital Visual Imaging System kits, design and development for mission system integration (structural design, interphone communications systems, ...

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

  HUSAR (2023 Order) [Germany]

  Programme Background First Order In 2015, the German Army launched the HUSAR programme to identify a replacement for its Airbus Defence & Space KZO and ...

• Loitering munitions

  ZT-180 [Russia]

  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 drones, ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• md4-3000

  The md4-3000 is a small VTOL quadcopter UAV with a maximum take-off weight of 15kg, one-third of which can be payload. It can fly by remote ...

• Neo V2

  Flycam UAV displayed the Neo V2 at the Commercial UAV Expo in Las Vegas in November 2016. Developed in 2014, the UAV has a twin-boom ...

• Falcon 8+

  Intel unveiled the Falcon 8+ for the first time at the Commercial UAV Expo in Las Vegas in November 2016. The V-Form octocopter, which will ...

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

  Skylark 3

  The Skylark 3 is a small UAS manufactured by Elbit Systems. It is designed for both dismounted and vehicle-based operations.  It can perform a range of ...

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

  M12 Monitor

  The Saxon Remote Systems M12 Monitor UAV is a commercial and military system designed to perform a range of roles such as surveillance, pipeline inspection ...

• H520

  The H520 is a hexarotor VTOL UAV designed for the commercial and industrial markets by Yuneec International. The system was unveiled in January 2017. It ...

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

  Resolute Eagle

  The Resolute Eagle is a tactical Group 3 UAS with fuselage and underwing payload bays, which is able to carry multiple sensors. The UAS has been ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  SICX-10E

  The SICX-10E is a rotary-wing UAV suitable for a range of military and civil roles, including tactical ISR, bomb damage assessment, homeland security, aerial surveillance, ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  SICX-25

  The SICX-25 is a rotary-wing UAV suitable for a range of military, commercial and civil missions, including tactical ISTAR, bomb damage assessment, civil air surveillance, ...

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

  30 June

  Developed by the Egyptian Ministry of Military Production, the 30 June is a MALE fixed-wing UAV designed for reconnaissance missions.  Additionally, it features an electromagnetic system and ...

• EO/IR systems

  Skybox

  The Skybox allows gimballed camera systems developed for small UAVs to be integrated on the nose of manned helicopters. It accommodates cameras such as DJI’s ...

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

  Wulung

  The Wulung is an Indonesian tactical UAV. First displayed at the Indo Defence Expo and Forum in November 2014, the aircraft entered mass production in May ...

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

  StratoAirNet

  The StratoAirNet is a lightweight MALE UAV that is solar-powered and designed for commercial and military applications. It can accommodate multiple payloads weighing up to ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Yagu

  Plasan unveiled the Yagu 4x4 at the March 2018 Expo Seguridad event. It is based on the Arctic Cat Wildcat 4 1000 commercial all-terrain vehicle. The ...

• Air: mission management systems

  TM-100 Map and Video Management system

  Trakka Systems introduced a new TM-100 Map and Video Management system at HAI Heli-Expo 2017 in Dallas. The augmented reality mapping system with metadata video and audio ...