• Defence Notes

  Rolls-Royce taps into DPA Title III to expand US production plant

  13th August 2020

  The Rolls-Royce ship propeller and propulsion components manufacturing facility in Pascagoula, Mississippi, is being expanded and upgraded with funding of $22 million under Defense Production …

• Defence Notes

  China tests reusable spacecraft in secretive ‘star wars’ programme

  10th September 2020

  On 4 September China successfully tested in space a new ‘reusable experimental spacecraft’, nomenclature unknown, after launching it from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in …

• Military Logistics

  RAN logistics vessel passes sea trials

  26th August 2020

  The first of two Supply-class auxiliary oiler replenishment (AOR) vessels for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has completed sea acceptance trials in Spain, before a …

• Land Warfare

  Malaysia to stand up new army units in Sabah

  17th September 2020

  Malaysian Defence Minister Ismail Sabri announced on 11 September that the Malaysian Army would establish a brigade headquarters, armoured regiment, three infantry battalions, three artillery …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Troop protection system blends UAVs and AR

  8th September 2020

  Israeli and US partners have launched an operational pilot programme for force protection that employs small UAVs and soldier-borne AR technology. ‘The programme has produced …

• Digital Battlespace

  QPS integrates FarSounder sonar

  13th August 2020

  QPS integrates FarSounder sonar Netherlands-based Quality Positioning Services (QPS) has integrated Argos Forward Looking Sonars (FLS) from US company FarSounder into its Qinsy survey software …

• Digital Battlespace

  USAF completes another ABMS experiment

  8th September 2020

  The second Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) On-Ramp Experiment for the USAF was completed on 3 September with the backing of US Space Command, Strategic Command …

• Air Warfare

  Sweden again proposes Gripen for Croatia

  9th September 2020

  Saab announced on 9 September that representatives of the Swedish Defence Material Administration (FMV) and the Swedish Embassy in Croatia have submitted a government-to-government proposal …

• Air Warfare

  Egypt and Jordan to receive Sidewinder motors

  11th September 2020

  FMS customers will receive a combined total of more than 800 rocket motors for the AIM-9M Sidewinder short-range AAM, under a $21.01 million contract for Northrop …

• Naval Warfare

  Black Sea Fleet to run trials for latest Project 21631 corvette

  18th August 2020

  The ninth Buyan-M class (Project 21631) corvette for the Russian Navy will undergo state trials in Novorossiysk, TASS reported on 17 August. Citing officials from the …

• Air Warfare

  Chinese KJ-600 AEW may have performed maiden flight

  4th September 2020

  The KJ-600, a carrier-borne airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft destined for the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), may have performed its maiden flight on 29 …

• Digital Battlespace

  US aims to unlock power of EW for multi-domain operations

  4th September 2020

  The Foundational Research in Electronic Warfare for Multi-Domain Operations (FREEDOM) programme, is looking closely at how EW can support Multi-Domain Operations (MDO). The army defines …

• Naval Warfare

  USN picks submarine rescue support contractor

  11th September 2020

  Oceaneering International will support US Naval Sea Systems Command as submarine rescue operations and maintenance contractor, under a $22.37 million contract announced by the DoD …

• Training

  AFSPECWAR training and support attracts two more companies

  2nd September 2020

  US firms Quantico Tactical and Rapid Response Defense Systems are to provide equipment, training and product support to approximately 3,500 Air Force Special Warfare (AFSPECWAR) …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Lockheed Martin suggests wingman UAV for Poland

  4th September 2020

  Lockheed Martin is aiming to offer a new UAV, based on existing systems, for the Harpi Szpon (Harpy Claw) programme in Poland. The new UAV …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Maritime patrol

  P-8A Poseidon [US]

  Programme Background The P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) system is a heavily modified and militarized derivative of Boeing's 737-800 ERX commercial aircraft. The P-8A is ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  CH-53K (Follow-On) [US Navy]

  Programme Background The USMC 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 is ...

• Fighter - naval

  F-35B (FY2026-2031) [USA]

  Background According to U.S. budget documents throughout the decade, the U.S. Navy intends to acquire 324 F-35B STOVL aircraft. Prior to 2020, the U.S. Navy ...

• Maritime patrol

  P-8A Poseidon [UK]

  Programme Background In July 2016, the UK government announced that it had ordered nine aircraft for service with the RAF. Under this frame, in January ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Constellation Class - FFG(X) (11-20)

  The US Navy ran the Next Generational Future Guided Missile Frigate (FFG X) programme to build a replacement for the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates, the ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Constellation Class - FFG(X) (11-20)

  The US Navy ran the Next Generational Future Guided Missile Frigate (FFG X) programme to build a replacement for the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates, the ...

• 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 ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | F-35B STOVL Future Procurement - US Navy

  The US Navy is planning to order 115 F-35B STOVLs between FY2026 and FY2031 under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The purchase is estimated ...

• Data links

  Data links | F-35B STOVL Future Procurement - US Navy

  The US Navy is planning to order 115 F-35B STOVLs between FY2026 and FY2031 under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The purchase is estimated ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | F-35B STOVL Future Procurement - US Navy

  The US Navy is planning to order 115 F-35B STOVLs between FY2026 and FY2031 under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The purchase is estimated ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | F-35B STOVL Future Procurement - US Navy

  The US Navy is planning to order 115 F-35B STOVLs between FY2026 and FY2031 under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The purchase is estimated ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | F-35B STOVL Future Procurement - US Navy

  The US Navy is planning to order 115 F-35B STOVLs between FY2026 and FY2031 under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The purchase is estimated ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | F-35C Carrier Variant (CV) Future Procurement

  The US Navy is planning to order 130 F-35Cs between FY2026 and FY2030 under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The purchase is estimated be ...

• Data links

  Data links | F-35C Carrier Variant (CV) Future Procurement

  The US Navy is planning to order 130 F-35Cs between FY2026 and FY2030 under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The purchase is estimated be ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | F-35C Carrier Variant (CV) Future Procurement

  The US Navy is planning to order 130 F-35Cs between FY2026 and FY2030 under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The purchase is estimated be ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Maritime patrol

  US-2

  The ShinMaywa US-2 is an amphibious short take-off and landing aircraft used primarily by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) for SAR. 

• Military - USVs

  Voyager

  Voyager is an Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) built by US-based Saildrone. Voyager has been used by the US Navy (USN) and is one of three ...

• Military - UUVs

  Orca

  Orca is an extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicle (XLUUV) developed by Boeing for the US Navy (USN).

• Destroyers

  Kee Lung (Kidd) Class

  The Kee Lung-class consists of four ex-US Kidd-class guided missile destroyers in service with the Republic of China Navy (ROCN). The ships were originally built for ...

• Military - UUVs

  Mission Specialist Defender

  The Mission Specialist Defender is a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) developed by VideoRay, now part of BlueHalo's unmanned maritime systems. The ROV is known ...

• Data links

  GNOMAD US Domestic

  The US domestic version of GNOMAD (see separate entry) is a ruggedised system comprising a satellite antenna and baseband modular chassis that can be installed ...

• Military - USVs

  Explorer

  Saildrone's Explorer is the smallest of three USVs designed and built by the US-based USV manufacturer Saildrone. The system is used by the US Navy (USN) ...

• EO/IR systems, Sea: ship surveillance and fire control systems

  SeaFLIR 380-HD

  The SeaFLIR 380-HD is a long-range, multispectral surveillance system for surface vessels. Manufactured by Teledyne FLIR, the system combines HD IR, colour or SWIR spectral information. According to ...

• Unguided Medium Calibre Ammunition

  MK266 High Explosive Incendiary with Tracer

  The MK266 High Explosive Incendiary with Tracer is a 30mm medium calibre round manufactured by Northrop Grumman. It is currently in use with the US Navy.

• Military - UUVs

  Snakehead LDUUV

  The Snakehead Large Displacement Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle (LDUUV) is a US Navy (USN) Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle (UUV) designed to be launched from submarine Dry Dock Shelters ...

• Unguided Medium Calibre Ammunition

  XM1198 High Explosive Dual Purpose with Self Destruct (HEDP-SD)

  The XM1198 High Explosive Dual Purpose with Self Destruct (HEDP-SD) is a 30mm medium calibre round manufactured by Northrop Grumman. The US Navy uses the XM1198.

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Integrated Combat System

  The Integrated Combat System (ICS) is a combat management system being developed for the US Navy. The project, currently led by Lockheed Martin, aims to ...

• Unguided Medium Calibre Ammunition

  XM950 Target Practice Round

  The XM950 Target Practice Round is a 30mm medium calibre training round manufactured by Northrop Grumman. The US Navy uses the XM950 for training with its ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Navy Multiband Terminal (NMT)

  The Navy Multiband Terminal is the next-generation maritime military SATCOM for the US Navy and allied nations. The terminal integrates EHF and AEHF systems with ...

• Ship-launched torpedoes, Submarine-launched torpedoes

  Mk-48 Mod 6AT ADCAP

  The Mk-48 ADCAP (Advanced Capability) is the improved version of the Mk-48 family. Development started with the Mk-48 Mod 5 and continues to the present ...