• Training

  I/ITSEC 2018: US Army CDT bids now in

  19th November 2018

  Following the release of the RfP for the US Army’s Common Driver Trainer (CDT) requirement in September, commercial bids have now been returned and are …

• Digital Battlespace

  Finland, Bittium sign agreement

  9th November 2018

  Bittium Wireless and the Finnish Defence Forces have signed a framework agreement for Bittium's Tough Comnode terminals and related accessories, Bittium announced on 5 November. …

• Defence Notes

  Pentagon to trim Africa forces as focus shifts to Russia, China

  16th November 2018

  The Pentagon will trim the number of US troops deployed across Africa as it concentrates more on countering threats from ‘Great Power’ competitors Russia and …

• Digital Battlespace

  DARPA receives first SeeMe satellite

  5th October 2018

  Raytheon has delivered the first Space Enabled Effects for Military Engagements (SeeMe) satellite to DARPA, the company announced on 3 October. The new satellite will …

• Land Warfare

  S-400’s export drive gains momentum

  8th November 2018

  Russia’s Almaz-Antey S-400 Triumf (SA-21 Growler) long-range SAM system is proving a big hit on the international market and currently dominates the country’s defence exports.  …

• Digital Battlespace

  RAF ISTAR Force moves forward with transformation

  24th October 2018

  The UK's Royal Air Force (RAF) is moving forward with an ambitious plan to transform its intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) force to …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  AeroVironment receives RQ-20B Puma AE II contract

  12th November 2018

  AeroVironment has received a $3.2 million contract to provide the RQ-20B Puma AE II UAS, training and support to an allied nation in the US …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  RT LTA unveils SkyStar 120 mobile aerostat

  13th November 2018

  RT LTA Systems has introduced SkyStar 120, a new mobile aerostat system for forces operating in rough terrain. SkyStar 120, based on the Skystar 110 …

• Digital Battlespace

  IAI wades into UK AWACS controversy

  24th October 2018

  The increasingly public battle to determine the UK’s replacement for its E-3 AWACS fleet has drawn a number of international companies into the argument, as …

• Land Warfare

  Warrior upgrade delays threaten MoD's Budget Plan

  7th November 2018

  The UK Ministry of Defence has confirmed a delay to the Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme (WCSP) calling the setback a key risk to project affordability …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  AWHero’s communications trials with Wildcat

  29th October 2018

  Leonardo has disclosed efforts to extend the communications range and manned/unmanned teaming capabilities of the AWHero VTOL UAS, a company official has said. Addressing delegates …

• Defence Notes

  Zhuhai Air Show 2018: HD-1 missile takes international aim

  8th November 2018

  A newcomer at Airshow China 2018 was the HD-1 supersonic cruise missile from Guangdong Hongda Mining, this weapon being targeted directly at the export sector …

• Digital Battlespace

  Airbus tests stratospheric 4G/5G defence comms

  1st October 2018

  Airbus has successfully tested stratospheric 4G/5G defence applications with a high-altitude balloon demonstration, the company announced on 25 September. Supported by the French and Canadian …

• Land Warfare

  Indo Defence 2018: Filipino handguns triggering into Myanmar

  7th November 2018

  The Philippines is becoming a dominant player in the Myanmar handgun market Shephard has learnt, further to the latest acquisitions between the two nations. Mely …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Redesigned Bluefin-9 UUV launched

  30th October 2018

  General Dynamics Mission Systems has released the new re-engineered Bluefin-9 UUV, the company announced on 23 October. The vehicle combines high navigational accuracy, enhanced sonar …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  Long-Endurance UAV [US AFRICOM]

  Programme Background Ageing MQ-9A Reapers In November 2022, Shephard reported that GA-ASI would continue supporting contractor SMX with its MQ-9A after winning a $2.3 billion task ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  HH-60W - Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH)

  According to the FY2021 Base funding, the HH-60W helicopter unit cost is $43.2 million. The HH-60W will be capable of employment day or night, in ...

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

  Bayraktar TB2 [Pakistan]

  Programme Background Requirement Following a 2019 skirmish with India, Pakistan placed newfound importance on EW and ISR, primarily due to the significant advantage gained during that ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  Long-Range Drones [Norway]

  Background Andøya Ambition On 3 April 2023, the Norwegian MoD released a statement confirming its plans for Andøya, the northernmost island in its Vesterålen archipelago. In addition to ...

• 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 - MALE

  MQ-9B SkyGuardian [Denmark]

  Programme Background Arctic Capability Package In February 2021, Denmark published the Arctic Capability package, a commitment to invest in new technologies, particularly uncrewed systems, to improve ...

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

  V-Bat 128 [Canada]

  Programme Background Requirement Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) was seeking a platform for the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) that would significantly expand its surveillance range ...

• ISR/special mission

  ISTAR Aircraft (South Korea)

  Programme Background South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration stated that Seoul is planning to procure additional aircraft to minimize potential surveillance gaps amid growing security ...

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

  M Solar-X [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 ...

• Loitering munitions

  Long Range One-way Platforms [US]

  Solicitation In October 2024, the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) released a solicitation for long-range, one-way platforms. The DIU noted recent conflicts highlighted the asymmetric impact of low-cost, ...

• OPVs

  Next-Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (1-12) [Japan]

  Programme Background Requirements The primary role of the OPVs will be ISR and patrol. The armament will be limited. One of the key features is a reduced ...

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

  Seeker 400 - First Batch (UAE)

  Programme Background The UAE has a long history of transactions with Denel Dynamics. The country has been purchasing various Seeker systems from as far back ...

• Military helicopters - maritime

  NH90 NFH-Italy

  Programme Background  The Italian Navy has taken delivery of its first NH90 NFH helicopter in Full Operational Capability (or Step B) configuration in November 2013. ...

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

  CH-4 (First Batch) [Pakistan]

  Programme Background First Batch According to the Pakistan Exim Trade Info website, five aircraft were delivered to the country on 15 January 2021. According to a ...

• Loitering munitions

  Medium-Range Loitering Munition with LEO Satellite Data Link [South Korea]

  Background New Project In April 2025, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) and the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) announced a new project titled “Development of Medium-Range ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  Caihong

  The Caihong (Rainbow), also known as the Cai Hong or CH, is a solar-powered HALE platform designed for near-space flight. It is suitable for military ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  Morning Star

  Aviation Industry Corporation of China’s Morning Star is a quasi-satellite, near-space, solar-powered platform. It is designed for both military and civilian applications, including reconnaissance, navigation ...

• FL-3

  The FL-3 is a planned solar-powered, long-endurance, near-space platform with an 85,300ft ceiling. Speculated future uses include communication, ground observation, meteorological monitoring and operation as ...

• ISR/special mission, Maritime patrol

  A320neo M3A

  Currently under development by Airbus, the A320 M3A is the Maritime Patrol version of the civilian A320neo aircraft. The aircraft can be fitted with a wide ...

• Space: radar systems

  SARah

  SARah is the planned follow-on system for the SAR-Lupe radar satellite constellation operated by the German Armed Forces. In 2013, it was announced that OHB ...

• Major networking projects

  EAC

  The NATO Communications and Information Agency awarded ACTIA Sodielec a contract in June 2013 to provide NATO with an Extended Advanced SATCOM Network Monitoring and ...

• Space: radar systems

  ESA Sentinel-1

  Sentinel-1 is a planned constellation of four satellites with two already in orbit and two on order. They carry a payload of a C-band SAR ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  Vocality Pro Series

  The Pro Series includes the V25, V50, V150 and V20. These are designed to be used in a central communications hub or as part of ...

• Air: COMINT and ELINT systems

  FlyingFish Maritime

  The FlyingFish Maritime SIGINT system is one of several derivatives of the FlyingFish Airborne Satellite Monitoring System developed by Horizon Technologies. Designed to be mounted ...

• Air: COMINT and ELINT systems

  FlyingFish

  FlyingFish is an Airborne Satellite Monitoring System designed to detect and intercept SATCOM from airborne ISR platforms. As a passive system, it cannot be detected ...

• Guided munitions

  GP155B

  The GP155B is a 155mm artillery round developed by Norinco. The GP155B integrates satellite-based guidance systems that are compatible with both the Chinese Beidou Navigation ...

• Data links

  Space CDL

  The Space Common Data Link (CDL) system provides a wideband data link capability adaptable to a variety of space-based applications. It consists of separate transmitter ...

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

  ULTRA

  The Unmanned Long-endurance Tactical Reconnaissance Aircraft (ULTRA) is a fixed-wing drone from DZYNE Technologies.  It is described as a long-endurance, GPS-harded intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platform with full ...

• Naval: COMINT and ELINT systems

  FlyingFish Naval

  The FlyingFish Naval SIGINT system is one of several derivatives of the FlyingFish Airborne Satellite Monitoring System (ASMS) developed by Horizon Technologies. Whereas the original ...

• Data links

  MiMMC

  Microsat Man-Packable Mission Command (MiMMC) is a satellite-based BLoS communications system providing the ability to extend mission command applications including voice, video and data transfer ...