• Defence Helicopter

  Sikorsky to support CH-53D helicopters

  27th June 2017

  Sikorsky has won a contract from Israel's Ministry of Defense to supply spare parts and associated engineering services in support of the CH-53D heavy lift …

• Defence Helicopter

  Paris Air Show: Test pilot talks CH-53K (video)

  26th June 2017

  While the CH-53K was not present at this year's Paris Air Show, Shephard had the opportunity to speak with Lt Col Jonathan Morel, CH-53K government chief …

• Special Operations

  Flyer 60 evaluated by Special Operations

  7th July 2017

  The US Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Command is evaluating the General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS) Flyer 60 as an additional option for ‘fly …

• Defence Helicopter

  Construction of fifth SDTA CH-53K begins

  22nd June 2017

  Spirit AeroSystems has started assembly of the fifth System Demonstration Test Article CH-53K King Stallion helicopter for the US Marine Corps, the company announced on 19 …

• Defence Helicopter

  Saab’s IDAS for H225M Caracal helicopters

  28th June 2017

  Saab will supply its Integrated Defensive Aids Suite (IDAS) to Airbus Helicopters for use on H225M Caracal multi-role utility aircraft, the company announced on 23 …

• Defence Helicopter

  Paris Air Show: Sikorsky on track with CH-53K

  21st June 2017

  As Sikorsky’s CH-53K King Stallion enters production, company officials are confident that the US Marine Corps (USMC) Heavy Lift Replacement Programme is on track. With initial …

• Defence Helicopter

  Paris Air Show: Hot off the press (video)

  23rd June 2017

  Despite this year's Paris Air Show being a scorcher, with temperatures unseasonably high, the Shephard team worked to provide all the aviation news from the …

• Defence Helicopter

  Paris Air Show: Sikorsky platform developments (video)

  15th June 2017

  Sikorsky's VP for Asia Christophe Nurit discusses the company's recent developments with the CH-53K King Stallion, which is set to replace the CH-53E Super Stallion …

• Defence Helicopter

  TASL delivers components for Indian CH-47

  13th June 2017

  Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) has begun delivery of crown and tailcone assemblies for the Indian configuration of the CH-47F Chinook helicopter. The parts - manufactured …

• Defence Helicopter

  Paris Air Show: Boeing to ink EMD Chinook contract

  14th June 2017

  Boeing expects to ink the engineering, manufacturing and development (EMD) contract for the manufacture of three CH-47F Block II aircraft before the end of August …

• Defence Notes

  Paris Air Show: Boeing reshuffle to streamline business

  19th June 2017

  As Boeing Defense continues to streamline its business, after recently stripping out a layer of top executives, the company looks forward to a promising European …

• Digital Battlespace

  EW Europe: Northrop's RWR nears production

  9th June 2017

  The updated AN/APR-39D(V)2 radar warning receiver/electronic warfare management system from Northrop Grumman is starting production. The system would begin full rate production in July and …

• Defence Helicopter

  COTSEA to manufacture CH-47 components

  6th June 2017

  Germany's COTESA has been awarded a five-year contract by Boeing to manufacture key components for the global CH-47 Chinook helicopter fleet, Boeing announced on 1 June. …

• Defence Helicopter

  Sino-Russian AHL contract due soon

  16th June 2017

  Russia and China are cooperating on the Advanced Heavy Lifter (AHL) helicopter project, but the two parties have not yet signed a full contract. However, …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Chinese Rainbow goes stratospheric

  15th June 2017

  China's first solar-powered Caihong (Rainbow) UAS successfully flew at an altitude of 20,000m on 13 June, an altitude that is well within the stratosphere, the country’s …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  Heavy-lift Helicopter STH [Germany]

  Programme Background The German government issued a tender in March 2019 for the procurement of heavy-lift helicopters under the Schwerer Transporthubschrauber (STH) program, 60 units are ...

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

  CH-5 [Iraq]

  Programme Background CH-4 Troubles According to a Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve report, Iraq acquired 20 CH-4 platforms from China. However, eight ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  CH-53K - Options (Israel)

  Programme Background The Israeli Air Force (IAF) plans to buy around 18 heavy-lift helicopters to form a squadron that replaces its current CH-53 Yasur helicopters that ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  CH-53K (Israel)

  Programme Background The Israeli Air Force (IAF) plans to buy around 18 heavy-lift helicopters to form a squadron that replaces its current CH-53 Yasur helicopters that ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  CH-47F Chinook [U.S Army]

  As the Army's only heavy-lift helicopter, the CH-47F Improved Cargo helicopter is an essential component of the Army's Multi-Domain Battle framework. The CH-47F and MH-47G ...

• 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 ...

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

  CH-4 [Saudi Arabia]

  Background 2014 Order According to the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), in 2014, Saudi Arabia ordered two CH-4 aircraft from China. However, information from the Stockholm International Peace ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  CH-53K - US Navy Follow-On

  Programme Background The Marine Corps 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 ...

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

  CH-5 (Algeria)

  Programme Background Chinese UAV Purchases In recent years, Algeria has purchased several UAVs from China. It operates the CH-3, CH-4 and has also ordered the Wing ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  CH-47 [United Arab Emirates]

  Programme Background Ahead of Trump's 2025 Middle East tour, the State Department approved a possible FMS to the UAE for six CH-47 Block II Chinook ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  CH-47JA [Japan]

  Programme Background  Kawasaki Heavy Industries received an order from the Japanese government for 12 CH-47JA helicopters for the Japanese Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF). The CH-47JA is ...

• 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 ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  CH-47F [U.S. Army]

  Programme Background Amidst ongoing support for the CH-47F Block II development, the U.S. Army placed another order in December 2024 for three more helicopters. According ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  CH-53K [U.S. Marine Corps]

  Programme Background The U.S. Marine Corps awarded Sikorsky a USD$10.855 billion contract covering up to 99 CH-53K helicopters. According to Lockheed Martin, this is the ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  CH-47J [Japan]

  Programme Background Kawasaki Heavy Industries secured a 71.4 billion yen ($460 million) contract to provide the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) with five CH-47J helicopters. ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Military helicopters - maritime, Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  CH-53D Sea Stallion

  The twin-engine CH-53A (S-65) Sea Stallion was developed from 1960 to meet a USMC requirement for a heavy-lift helicopter. It entered service in 1966 and ...

• Air: Integrated cockpit systems

  Flight2

  The Flight2 integrated flight and mission management system provides increased situation awareness that enables reduced pilot workload, while enhancing flight safety and improving mission effectiveness. ...

• Self-propelled mortars

  Wiesel 2 120mm

  The Wiesel 2 120mm mortar system is based on Rheinmetall’s tracked Wiesel 2 airborne armoured vehicle. Two prototypes were delivered to Germany’s BWB defence procurement ...

• Helicopter engines

  T64

  The T64 is a turboshaft/turboprop engine that has now accumulated over 11 million flight hours of operation. The T64 engine was designed to power rotary- ...

• Air: helicopter flight simulators

  German Army Aviation School

  CAE is the prime contractor for the German Army’s Night-Time Low-Level Flight Training Facility, commonly known as the German Army Aviation School, at Bückeburg. This ...

• Sonobuoys

  AN/SSQ-53G DIFAR

  The AN/SSQ-53G DIFAR is made by Ultra Maritime in the USA, it is marketed at international users of the MH-60 and P-8A.

• Sonobuoys

  AN/SSQ-53G(GPS) DIFAR Sonobuoy

  The AN/SSQ-53G(GPS) DIFAR Sonobuoy produced by Ultra Maritime is an A-sized passive sonobuoy that is marketed at international customers who require a GPS transmitter.

• Sonobuoys

  AN/SSQ-62E

  The AN/SSQ-62E is produced by Ultra Maritime and Sparton. It is an active sonobuoy which can be launched from rotary and fixed-wing aircraft as well ...

• Loitering munitions

  CM-501 (series)

  The CM-501 series is a family of Chinese loitering munition systems. Munitions in the series can be attached and launched from helicopters, ground vehicles or ships. The ...

• Military helicopters - maritime, Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  CH-53K King Stallion

  The CH-53K King Stallion is the USMC's new-build, heavy-lift replacement for the CH-53E. The platform will transport marines, heavy equipment and supplies during ship-to-shore movement ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Mungo

  KMW developed the Mungo family to meet a requirement from the German Army for a protected multipurpose air-portable vehicle that could be carried by a ...

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

  CH-2

  Intended for surveillance and reconnaissance missions, the CH-2 is the second member of the Rainbow series of UAVs and develops on the design of the CH-1. 

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  CH-47D

  The CH-47D Chinook is a twin-engine, tandem-rotor, heavy-lift transport helicopter that emerged from a US Army contract placed in 1976 to remanufacture the CH-47A/B/C. The ...

• Air: helicopter flight simulators

  Canadian CH-147F Training Services

  CAE delivered a comprehensive suite of CH-47F Chinook simulators and training devices to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) during 2015. Following on-site acceptance testing ...

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

  CH-5

  The CH-5 is a medium-altitude long-endurance UAS designed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation to carry out various military missions. Applications of the CH-5 include ...