• Defence Notes

  EDCA signals deeper US ties with Poland

  20th August 2020

  US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (left of picture) and Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak signed an Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) on 15 August, …

• Training

  USMC picks BAE Systems to build prototype wargaming centre

  14th August 2020

  BAE Systems is to build a prototype of a new wargaming centre for the USMC at Quantico, Virginia, as lead systems integrator under a $19 …

• Naval Warfare

  Poland resurrects Ratownik

  8th September 2020

  After a few months of uncertainty, Poland has relaunched the Ratownik programme to procure at least one modern rescue and salvage ship for the Polish …

• Digital Battlespace

  Slovakia evaluates 3D radar bids

  6th October 2020

  The Slovak MoD and a team of technical experts began on 5 October to evaluate government-to-government offers for the supply of 3D air defence radars. …

• Digital Battlespace

  Curtiss-Wright moves into tactical communications

  28th September 2020

  Curtiss-Wright is to acquire the stock of Pacific Star Communications (PacStar) in a $400 million cash deal. The transaction is expected to close in Q4 this …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Protector takes to the skies

  28th September 2020

  The first MQ-9B SkyGuardian RPAS for the RAF (designated Protector RG Mk1) successfully completed its first flight in the US on 25 September, the UK …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  HII breaks ground on new facility for unmanned technologies

  30th September 2020

  US-based shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) is building a new facility to produce and test unmanned naval technologies. HII broke ground on the Unmanned Systems …

• Land Warfare

  The power of AI brought to the tactical edge (Studio)

  29th October 2020

  The next generation of combat vehicles will employ advanced AI algorithms to lower the burden on the human operator - all powered by advanced hardware.

• Land Warfare

  Dutch to use specially designed military quad bikes

  11th August 2020

  Defenture BV is to produce 249 diesel-fuelled quad bikes for the Dutch military, under a contract announced on 10 August. The deal, worth an undisclosed …

• Naval Warfare

  Japan set to obtain RIM-116C after FMS clearance by State Department

  29th September 2020

  Japan is poised to receive RIM-116C Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Block 2 tactical missiles and related equipment from Raytheon in an FMS deal worth about $55.31 …

• Land Warfare

  FFG unveils fully hybrid Genesis vehicle

  5th October 2020

  The Genesis full hybrid technology solution for 8x8 armoured vehicles was designed with a modular concept, providing a low thermal signature and silent movement.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  USCG to test and evaluate Sharktech

  30th September 2020

  Sea Machines Robotics is partnering shipbuilder Metal Shark Boats to supply the US Coast Guard (USCG) Research and Development Center (RDC) with a new Sharktech 29 …

• Defence Helicopter

  PLA shows wide-body Z-8 and new helicopter missile

  25th August 2020

  The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has begun fielding a wide-body variant of the Z-8 helicopter built by Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation (CAIC). By midyear, approximately six of …

• Digital Battlespace

  DoD orders more than 11,000 software-defined radios

  23rd September 2020

  Raytheon Technologies company Collins Aerospace is providing the US armed forces with 11,313 of its AN/ARC-210(V) software-defined radios (SDRs), under a $316.73 million contract modification from …

• Air Warfare

  Swiss Air2030 drama builds as US packages tip budget scales

  1st October 2020

  Two proposed US government packages exceed a CFH6 billion ($6.5 billion) budget limit for Switzerland’s Air2030 fighter acquisition. The US State Department has cleared the …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-130J - US Marine Corps

  Programme Background The C-130J Super Hercules is a four-engine turboprop transport aircraft developed by Lockheed Martin to replace aging C-130 variants. The US and FMS ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6, APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Otaman (Ukrainian Marine Corps)

  Programme Background Practika first unveiled the Otaman family of 6x6 and 8x8 armoured vehicles in late 2016. These were developed to meet the requirements of ...

• Loitering munitions

  Loitering Munition 1 [Taiwan]

  Programme Background 2023 At Taichung in March 2023, NCSIST unveiled the loitering munition. The munition showed the country's focus on asymmetric capabilities to defend itself ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  BTR-4E (Ukrainian Marine Corps)

  Programme Background The Ukrainian Navy is seeking to standardise the armoured vehicle fleet of the Ukrainian Marine Corps in order to simplify maintenance, logistics and ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  JLTV (Brazil - 1st Batch)

  Programme Background Under its PROADSUMUS programme, the Brazilian Marine Corps is procuring new equipment to support its deployment in expeditionary operations. One of the new ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Medium Landing Ship (9-18) [USMC]

  The US Marine Corps is looking to develop a new platform to bridge the gap between its large assault ships and smaller landing craft. This ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Medium Landing Ship (9-18) [USMC]

  The US Marine Corps is looking to develop a new platform to bridge the gap between its large assault ships and smaller landing craft. This ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  JLTV (Batch 2) [Brazil]

  Programme Background Under its PROADSUMUS programme, the Brazilian Marine Corps is procuring new equipment to support its deployment in expeditionary operations. One of the new ...

• 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 ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - small

  Tactical Resupply Unmanned Aircraft System (TRUAS) / Small ULS-A (US)

  Programme 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 ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  F-5E/F Adversary Trainer US Navy

  The F-5N is a single seat, dual engine supersonic land based fighter. It is designed to a service life of 9000 flight hours. The aircraft ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Medium Landing Ship (1-8) [USMC]

  The US Marine Corps is looking to develop a new platform to bridge the gap between its large assault ships and smaller landing craft. This ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Medium Landing Ship (1-8) [USMC]

  The US Marine Corps is looking to develop a new platform to bridge the gap between its large assault ships and smaller landing craft. This ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | LCVPs Replacement [Netherlands]

  The Dutch Marine Corps needs to replace 12 Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVP) from 2025. The current LCVPs will reach the end of their service ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | LCVPs Replacement [Netherlands]

  The Dutch Marine Corps needs to replace 12 Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVP) from 2025. The current LCVPs will reach the end of their service ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Unguided Mortar Ammunition

  81mm Flash Bang Munition

  The 81mm Flash Bang Munition is a special-purpose mortar round designed by the Marine Corps Combat Development Command for use by the US Marine Corps. The USMC ...

• Unguided Artillery Ammunition

  M795 High Explosive Round

  The M795 High Explosive Round is a 155mm artillery shell manufactured by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems.

• Military - USVs

  AIRCAT Bobcat USV

  The AIRCAT Bobcat is an Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) developed by Eureka Naval Craft. It is designed as an optionally crewed light supply vessel, specifically ...

• Laser pointers

  AN/PEQ-16 MIPIM

  The AN/PEQ-16 MIPIM (Mini Integrated Pointer Illuminator Module) is a multi-function laser pointer that incorporates an IR laser pointer, an IR illuminator, a visible red ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  RG33

  BAE Systems RG33 is a family of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles available in both 4x4 and 6x6. The medium-weight class of BAE Systems MRAP ...

• Air: helicopter flight simulators

  MCAT

  The Marine Common Aircrew Trainer (MCAT) has been designed to train CH-53E Super Stallion, MV-22B Osprey and UH-1Y Venom enlisted aircrew. The single training device ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  R600

  The R600 8x8 armoured vehicle is an amphibious IFV designed by Panus for the Royal Thai Marine Corps. It completed testing by the marines in ...

• Land: Electronic Attack - Jamming

  AN/PLQ-9 Thor-III

  Sierra Nevada’s AN/PLQ-9 Thor-III is the standard Counter Improvised Explosive Device (CIED) manpack system in service with the US Army and US Marine Corps (USMC). ...

• Counter-UAS systems

  CLWS

  Developed by Boeing, Compact Laser Weapon System (CLWS or CLaWS) is a medium-range, low-power laser C-UAS system. According to the reports, the CLWS prototype has ...

• Land: Electronic Attack - Jamming

  AN/PLT-5 Thor-II

  Sierra Nevada Corporations’s (SNC's) AN/PLT-5 Thor-II Counter Improvised Explosive Device (CIED) system is designed to equip CIED teams and is used throughout the US armed ...

• 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 ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  AAV SU

  In May 2014, BAE Systems and SAIC received contracts from the USMC to develop survivability upgrade proposals for a portion of its 1,060-strong BAE Systems ...

• Assault rifles/carbines/shotguns

  6.5mm CT Carbine

  The 6.5mm Cased Telescoped (CT) Carbine is a closed-bolt, forward-feed, gas piston-operated weapon being developed as part of the US Army's Lightweight Small Arms Technology ...

• Air: mission management systems

  AFATDS

  Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) is a multi-service (US Army/USMC) joint and combined forces fire support battle command system. It provides automated support ...

• Unguided Medium Calibre Ammunition

  M433 HEDP LV

  The M433 high-explosive dual-purpose low-velocity 40mm round is a medium-calibre ammunition manufactured by AMTEC. The round is designed for use with M203 or M320 Grenade Launchers.