• Land Warfare

  NVK Iskra finishes test of 90K6E radar

  30th April 2020

  NVK Iskra (a subsidiary of Ukroboronexport) has successfully completed testing export models of its 90K6E 3D mobile surveillance radar. Two days of tests confirmed the …

• Digital Battlespace

  CACI awards AFSCN contract to Serco

  30th April 2020

  Serco announced on 29 April that it has secured a £25 million contract ($31 million) contract from CACI for control, maintenance and operation of the …

• Naval Warfare

  Russia’s newest frigate travels to Baltic Sea for final trial

  10th April 2020

  The newest frigate to join the Russian Navy’s Northern Fleet, Project 22350 Admiral Kasatonov (pictured), has passed through the Great Belt Strait as it travels …

• Naval Warfare

  USN braced for further COVID-19 incidents as 10% of Roosevelt crew test positive

  9th April 2020

  Testing of the crew of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt is nearing completion following the decision to order the vessel to port in Guam …

• Defence Helicopter

  GE Aviation supporting H-53E Engine Reliability Improvement

  9th April 2020

  General Electric Aviation has secured a $9.7 million modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. The modification procures non-recurring engineering services and support for the …

• Air Warfare

  China achieves maiden sale of FTC-2000G fighter

  21st April 2020

  Chinese company Guizhou Aviation Industry Corporation (GAIC) made its first sale of the twin-seat FTC-2000G fighter in late January, according to a post in its …

• Special Operations

  USSOCOM seeks industry engagement with Hyper Enabled Operator

  8th May 2020

  The most recent Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) from US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) focuses on development of the Hyper Enabled Operator (HEO) concept. The BAA, …

• Air Warfare

  US eyes B-1 for prototype air-launched hypersonic strike capability

  27th April 2020

  The USAF plans to upgrade B-1 Lancer bombers (pictured) to carry substantial loads of some of the most advanced long-range munitions in the US inventory, …

• Naval Warfare

  Spain to gain Aegis fire control via FMS

  23rd April 2020

  Lockheed Martin was, on 17 April, awarded a new $519 million cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee undefinitised contract to provide Aegis fire control loop development to Spain. US …

• Defence Helicopter

  Chinese Z-20F ASW helicopter makes tantalising appearance

  10th April 2020

  It is well known that one significant capability gap in the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is an effective anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter, but the …

• Defence Notes

  Japan deploys advanced weaponry on southwest isle

  9th April 2020

  To boost its defences against China in its southwestern archipelago, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) announced on 26 March that it had deployed troops …

• Naval Warfare

  Venezuelan Navy OPV sinks after collision with passenger ship

  2nd April 2020

  Venezuelan Navy OPV Naiguatá (GC-23) sank on 30 March after colliding with a Portuguese-registered Colombian passenger ship, RCGS Resolute. The incident occurred at approximately 00:45, some …

• Digital Battlespace

  ASC Technologies neo Recording now JITC-certified

  28th April 2020

  ASC Technologies announced on 28 April that its ASC neo Recording software has been certified by the Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC). This demonstrates that …

• Defence Helicopter

  Northrop Grumman upgrades US Army UH-60V cockpits

  22nd April 2020

  Northrop Grumman confirmed on 22 April that it has provided the US Army with new digital cockpit upgrades for its UH-60V Black Hawk helicopters. The …

• Naval Warfare

  HII begins fabrication of latest Arleigh Burke destroyer

  9th April 2020

  Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) has started the fabrication of the USN’s Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) guided missile destroyer Ted Stevens (DDG 128). This means that …

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 [USA]

  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 ...