• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Aero India 2017: India develops micro-UAVs to UCAVs

  17th February 2017

  A range of indigenous Indian UAVs – from micro-UAVs all the way up to a MALE platform – was on full display at Aero India …

• Defence Helicopter

  SATCOM through rotor blades demonstrated

  15th February 2017

  Hughes Network Systems has demonstrated a 360-degree beyond-line-of-sight SATCOM capability transmitting HD video through the rotating blades of a NorthStar Aviation 407 helicopter, the company …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Aero India 2017: Aeronautics sees huge As-Pac potential

  12th February 2017

  Aeronautics, thanks to a product line of UAV platforms, associated Controp electro-optic payloads, Commtact data links and Zanzottera engines, is eyeing India as a market …

• Digital Battlespace

  Airbus delivers satcom systems for EU missions

  6th February 2017

  Airbus Defence and Space is providing satellite communications (SATCOM) systems for European military training missions as part of a framework contract with the European Defence …

• Land Warfare

  ST Kinetics unveils new tracked AFV

  27th January 2017

  Singapore Technologies Kinetics has officially unveiled a new tracked armoured fighting vehicle this week, but has yet to give it a formal name.Design development has …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Northern Plains granted flight upgrade

  20th January 2017

  The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted the Northern Plains UAS test site in North Dakota authorisation to fly large UAVs beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS), starting …

• Naval Warfare

  Bulgaria set to issue RFP for two patrol ships

  21st December 2016

  The Bulgarian Navy has signaled its readiness to issue a Request for Proposal (RfP) for the procurement of two new patrol ships, but the government …

• Digital Battlespace

  DTC introduces Maritime Mesh

  19th December 2016

  Domo Tactical Communications (DTC) has introduced a new high capacity wireless IP mesh communications solution for the maritime environment called Maritime Mesh, the company announced …

• Digital Battlespace

  Increased bandwidth ready for launch

  8th December 2016

  The eighth Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellite was launched on the evening of 7 December and highlights an ongoing requirement for increased bandwidth. This latest WGS …

• Special Operations

  Special Forces target ISR relay capability

  28th November 2016

  Unmanned vehicles manufacturer PSI Tactical Robotics and communications specialist Harris Corporation have joined forces to provide a niche capability for the special operations community, the …

• Special Operations

  US SOCOM manpack delay continues

  16th November 2016

  Plans to procure an on-the-move satellite communications capability for US Special Forces have been pushed back. The Request for Proposal for the Next-Generation Man Pack …

• Defence Notes

  NZ defence plan rectifies vague white paper

  16th November 2016

  New Zealand released its 2016 Defence Capability Plan on 16 November offering some clarity on future defence projects. It follows the release of the Defence …

• Digital Battlespace

  Satmove Ka trials approaching

  15th November 2016

  Thales is expected to begin first tests of the new Satmove Ka satellite terminals with the French government at the end of the year or early …

• Digital Battlespace

  UK awards Maritime Network Evolution contract

  11th November 2016

  Airbus Defence and Space will upgrade the communications networks on Royal Navy vessels under a £36 million contract announced on 8 November. The four-year Maritime …

• Digital Battlespace

  Airbus DS continues SATCOM work with UK

  10th November 2016

  With a mere six years until the end of Skynet, the UK’s sovereign satellite communications capability, attempts are being made to ensure continuing capacity. The UK …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• 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 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 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

  MALE UAVs [Thailand]

  Background Roadmap In February 2024, the RTAF unveiled its White Paper 2024. Incorporating lessons from the Russo-Ukrainian War, the Israel-Hamas War, and other events such ...

• 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 ...

• Loitering munitions

  Maritime Launched Effects (MLE) [US]

  Background Origin The loitering munition effort dates back to at least 2018 and was previously called Maritime Precision Engagement (MPE). The US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) ...

• Military UAS - small

  Mini RPAS (High Altitude)

  Programme Background The Indian Army has initiated several tenders aiming to procure micro UAVs, but there has been little progress in following through with these ...

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

  Akinci [Turkey]

  Programme Background Unveiling & Testing Unveiled at TEKOFEST Istanbul Aviation, Space and Technology Festival in September 2019, the Akinci completed its first flight in December 2019. In June 2021, ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Portugal VTLB

  Programme Background The Portuguese Army planned to allocate funds for the procurement of 167 VTLBs during the Military Programming Law running from 2015 until 2026. ...

• AEW&C

  AEW&C Aircraft [India]

  Programme Background India is planning to increase its AEW&C; capabilities with indigenous radar systems.  A330 Bid In 2015, the IAF has requested to procure six ...

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

  AdvaNced airCraft Infrastructure-Less Launch And RecoverY (ANCILLARY) [US]

  Background Aims & Timeline As stated by DARPA, the ANCILLARY programme aims to develop and fly an X-plane that will provide a “leap-ahead” in long-endurance, VTOL-capable ...

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

  Tactical-Level Armed Drone [Thailand]

  Programme Background Roadmap In February 2024, the RTAF unveiled its White Paper 2024. Incorporating lessons from the Russo-Ukrainian War, the Israel-Hamas War, and other events ...

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

  MQ-9B SkyGuardian (1-4) [Belgium]

  Background Strategic Vision 2030 In 2016, the Belgian MoD published its Strategic Vision 2030 report. This report highlighted the need to integrate MALE reconnaissance drones ...

• Submarines: conventional/attack

  Submarines Procurement (1-2) [Greece]

  Programme Background Requirements As of 2025, the Hellenic Navy (HN) submarine force consists of four Type 214, four Type 209/1200 and two Type 209/1100. With ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Boxer (MIV) [UK]

  Programme Background History The UK MoD announced in March 2018 that it would re-join the Boxer programme and pursue a sole-source acquisition of the 8x8 ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• UAS: communication systems

  Aviator UAV 200

  Cobham’s UAV 200 is a satcom solution designed to enhance a tactical UAV’s performance, range and payload flexibility in a number of applications.This including SAR, ...

• Military - USVs

  USV-11000

  The SeaRobotics USV-11000 is a long-endurance USV that can be used for military and civil missions. This includes coastal and offshore surveys, hydrographic data-gathering, harbour security ...

• Military - USVs

  USV-550

  The SeaRobotics USV-550 can be used for shallow-water survey and surveillance, hydrographic data-gathering, general-purpose sensor transport and small ROV deployment. 

• UAS: communication systems

  BlackRay 1000

  The BlackRay 1000 is a ruggedised two-way SATCOM terminal for the UAV market with built-in modem and ACU. It is customisable to meet most UAS ...

• Maritime patrol, Trainer

  DA42 MPP Pandion

  The DA42 MultiPurpose Platform (MPP) Pandion is a lightweight MPA, designed to carry out various missions, including coastal surveillance, training, anti-piracy, oil spill detection and ...

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

  Shadow M2

  The Shadow M2 builds on the Shadow 200, but has greater endurance and payload capability, quieter and more reliable propulsion and an optional SATCOM capability ...

• UAS: communication systems

  LAISR ULW

  Developed by Inmarsat Government, the Lightweight Airborne ISR System - Ultra Lightweight (LAISR ULW) is an L-Band SATCOM terminal providing beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) connectivity for SWaP-constrained ...

• UAS: communication systems

  Airborne Broadband SATCOM

  ViaSat’s airborne SATCOM services offer worldwide access and a range of service levels, providing connectivity and performance options tailored to meet a variety of needs. ...

• Military - USVs

  USV-Collapsible

  The USV-Collapsible can be used for surveying, hydrographic data-gathering, harbour security/surveillance and general-purpose sensor transport. It can also be collapsed into a small shipping crate ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  ELK-1882T NC2

  Produced by Elta Systems (a subsidiary of IAI), ELK-1882T NC2 SATCOM terminals provide secure BLOS communications for fighter and special mission aircraft. The terminals utilise software-defined ...

• Land: battle management systems

  SCC Titan

  The server-based Situational Command and Control (SCC) Titan system is broken down into an HQ and a field-ready tactical satellite package, both designed to offer ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  RF-7800B-VU104

  This land mobile broadband global area network (BGAN) SATCOM terminal provides a tactical radio network capability within the Falcon III multi-band radio family. The RF-7800B-VU104 ...

• Data links

  VDC-550/-555/-850

  ViaSat Data Controllers (VDCs) work with combat net radios to deliver networking, including over severely degraded channels. Using a tactical radio, computer and VDC, notes ...

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

  F100 Karma

  The F100 Karma is a fixed-wing UAV from WEDRONES. It is designed to detect, track, and mitigate the threats posed by other drones. The drone is ...

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

  Integrator ER

  The Integrator Extended Range (ER) is a multi-mission modular small-UAV manufactured by Insitu. A variant of the Integrator, the ER is differentiated by its SATCOM BLOS communications ...