• Naval Warfare

  Australia welcomes third and final Air Warfare Destroyer

  21st May 2020

  The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) commissioned its third Air Warfare Destroyer, HMAS Sydney, in a ceremony in Jervis Bay off the Australian coast on 18 …

• Special Operations

  SOF seeks integration help to counter unmanned aircraft

  8th May 2020

  US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is seeking industry white papers for its C-UAS Systems Integration Partner (CUxS SIP) requirement. In an RfI published on 17 April, USSOCOM …

• Naval Warfare

  Russia keeps calm and carries on

  13th March 2020

  Russia has conducted a number of large scale live-fire exercises in recent weeks, in stark contrast to Western militaries that have downsized or cancelled their …

• Defence Helicopter

  Sikorsky seals sought-after subcontinent sale

  16th May 2020

  The Indian Navy (IN) is desperate to obtain new multirole/ASW helicopters, and the procurement of MH-60R aircraft has now progressed to an FMS contract being …

• Land Warfare

  Spanish Army releases requirements for SF vehicle

  1st June 2020

  Spain continues its efforts to improve the mobility of its SF and has released operational, technical and logistics requirements for its Light Vehicle for Special …

• Land Warfare

  Pantsir acquisition reflects broader trend for Serbian air defence

  13th May 2020

  The Serbian military recently unveiled Russian-made Pantsir-S1 (NATO: SA-22 "Greyhound") short-range SAM systems, the last of which arrived in the country in March.  The Pantsir-S1s …

• Naval Warfare

  Philippines receives most capable warship, minus Link 16

  27th May 2020

  The Philippine Navy (PN) piloted the multipurpose frigate BRP Jose Rizal (pennant number 150) into home waters and the port of Subic Bay for the …

• Defence Notes

  BAE Systems completes acquisition of Raytheon radios business

  5th May 2020

  BAE Systems has completed its acquisition of the Airborne Tactical Radios business of Raytheon Technologies, following a definitive agreement reached in January 2020. The radios …

• Land Warfare

  IAI to acquire manufacturing lines of Zibar, Zmag and ZD off-road vehicles

  8th May 2020

  Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) announced on 7 May that it is in the process of acquiring the manufacturing operations of Zibar, Zmag (pictured) and ZD …

• Defence Notes

  COVID-19 propels reforms in Indian defence production

  19th May 2020

  Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced more measures to boost self-sufficiency in defence production, among them raising from 49% to 74% the foreign direct investment …

• Digital Battlespace

  Fire Scout set to gain Link 16

  7th May 2020

  Northrop Grumman is set to receive new contracts from the US Navy over the next two years to integrate Link 16 on the MQ-8C Fire …

• Training

  ATAC adds to CASP work

  25th May 2020

  Textron subsidiary Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (ATAC) has been awarded a $34.5 million modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost-reimbursable, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to provide contracted …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Malaysian navy receives donated ScanEagles

  11th May 2020

  The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) has in its possession the first six of 12 US-donated Insitu ScanEagle UAVs, but they remain in storage at Kota …

• Defence Helicopter

  Egypt to gain Apache upgrade via FMS

  12th May 2020

  US companies are to upgrade 43 Apache attack helicopters for Egypt in an FMS deal worth an estimated $2.3 billion, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency …

• Digital Battlespace

  Singapore F-16 photo-recon capability breaks cover

  28th May 2020

  Recent imagery reviewed by Shephard confirms a long-range oblique photography (LOROP) sensor capability on Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-16s. The images depict twin-seat …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  M1135 Stryker NBC Reconnaissance Vehicle

  Programme Background According to the DSCA's notification to Congress, the acquisition of 50 M1135 Strykers was intended to allow the Iraqi government to identify harmful ...

• Military UAS - small

  Black Hornet 3 PRS (UK)

  Programme Background The British Army operated approximately 160 first-generation Black Hornet PD-100 nano UAS between 2013 and 2017, when the decision was made to retire ...

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

  French Operational Pocket Drone / DrOP (France)

  Programme Background French UAV Procurment / DrOP Under its 2019-2025 Military Programming Law (LPM), France aims to introduce 1,200 new UAVs into service with the ...

• Loitering munitions

  Organic Precision Fire - Light (OPF-L) [USMC]

  Programme Background Force Design 2030 The USMC Force Design 2030 is a modernisation effort to create a lighter, more agile maritime force. In May 2022, an annual ...

• Military UAS - small

  Bug Nano UAS (UK)

  Programme Background The British Army previously took delivery of 160 first-generation Black Hornet PD-100 nano UAS in 2013 to support operations in Afghanistan. After these ...

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

  Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) (Phase II) [USA]

  Programme Background Requirement The Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) provides short-range day and night ISR to US Army units at the squad, platoon and other small ...

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

  Black Hornet 3 (First Order) [Norway]

  Programme Background First Batch The Norwegian Home Guard has procured the Black Hornet 3 to provide each of its districts with a nano UAS that ...

• 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 - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Black Hornet 4 [Germany]

  Programme Background BAAINBw In February 2025, Shephard reported that Teledyne FLIR had been awarded a $15 million contract from Germany’s Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology ...

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

  Black Hornet 3 (Second Order) [Norway]

  Programme Background First Order The Norwegian Home Guard has procured the Black Hornet 3 to provide each of its districts with a nano UAS that ...

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

  DEF129 (Nano UAS) [Australia]

  Programme Background DEF129 The Australian Ground Service has combined various army procurement efforts under the DEF129 programme to increase the abundance and proliferation of UAVs ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  Anka-B [Türkiye]

  Programme Background TAI announced in November 2019 that it had delivered a total of 22 Anka-B UAVs to the Turkish Navy. Two large contracts contributing ...

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

  Black Hornet 3 (Ukraine Aid) [UK & Norway]

  Programme Background Russo-Ukraine War Since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022, UAVs have proved vital to the country's defence. Consequently, as in this programme, the ...

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

  Black Hornet 3 (Ukrainian Aid) [Norway]

  Programme Background Previous Purchases Norway has purchased two batches for its use, the first in October 2020 and the second in June 2022. International Fund ...

• Patrol boats

  Mk VI Patrol Boat - Ukraine (1-6)

  Programme Background The Mk VI is described as the USN's next-generation patrol boat and is currently in service with the US Navy's Coastal Riverine Forces (CRF). The ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  R80D SkyRaider

  The military-grade R80D SkyRaider VTOL small UAS is an open-architecture, multi-mission aircraft. Manufactured by Teledyne FLIR System exclusively for US DoD and Federal Agencies, the ...

• 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 UGVs

  PackBot

  PackBot, previously designated 510 PackBot, is a tracked, tactical, mobile UGV with forward-articulated flippers that can perform multiple missions. PackBot is being delivered to customers ...

• EO/IR systems

  FLIR 111

  The FLIR 111 is a field-proven, high-performance, compact, and lightweight Forward Looking InfraRed (FLIR) system designed for utility and attack helicopters.  It is jointly produced ...

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  Reveal D&I

  Reveal D&I; is a real-time gas detection and identification chemical imaging software for hyperspectral data. This software allows the real-time detection of a large portfolio ...

• EO/IR systems

  KUH FLIR

  The KUH FLIR is an IR system from Hanwha Systems for the Korean Utility Helicopter (KUH). Hanwha says it provides stable infrared images at night and/or under limited ...

• Land: infantry weapon simulators

  Less Than Lethal Weapon Simulators

  Meggitt produces wireless simulators for the X26 Taser and chemical spray less-lethal weapons. These accessories are supported with specialised courseware.

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  Hyper-Cam

  The Hyper-Cam is a passive IR hyperspectral imaging system that combines high spatial and spectral resolution. It provides real-time radiometrically calibrated data for gas and ...

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  SWIR Components – FPAs and Sensor Assemblies

  FLIR Systems produces COTS staring focal plane arrays (FPAs) and sensor assemblies based on the company’s InGaAs detectors and integrated circuit technology. FLIR FPAs and ...

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  HD-IR

  HD-IR high-resolution cameras have high sensitivity for surveillance and airborne mapping applications. The camera features a four-position filter wheel, 1.3MP spatial resolution and an IP67-certified ...

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

  PD-100 Black Hornet

  The PD-100 Black Hornet personal reconnaissance system (PRS) is designed for dismounted close-combat soldiers, providing them with an immediate reconnaissance capability with minimal increase in ...

• EO/IR systems

  StormCaster-DX

  Unveiled at Modern Day Marine 2022, the Teledyne FLIR StormCaster-DX is a multi-role, low-SWaP laser target designator (LTD) payload designed to affect the STANAG-compliant terminal ...

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

  Rogue 1

  Unveiled in May 2024, the Rogue 1 is a rotary-wing quadcopter UAV from Teledyne FLIR. The drone can be armed with an explosively formed penetrator (EFP), ...

• ED 605 Falcon

  The ED 605 is a hexarotor platform designed for light cargo transport, as well as surveillance and infrastructure inspection. The company lists standard payloads as ...

• EO/IR systems

  Star SAFIRE III

  The Star SAFIRE III was a military-qualified COTS multipurpose and gyro-stabilised airborne platform carrying seven payloads. Manufactured by Teledyne FLIR, the now out-of-production system featured internal navigation, ...