• Defence Notes

  West 2018: Commander says US-China not on path to conflict

  7th February 2018

  Adm Scott Swift, Cdr of the US Pacific Fleet said that he does not view the US and China as being on a path to …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  New UAS eyed for USCG's National Security Cutters

  8th February 2018

  After several fits and starts, the US Coast Guard (USCG) is finally moving forward with plans to acquire a mid-range UAS capability to launch off …

• Training

  Milestone for L-39NG jet trainer project

  2nd March 2018

  Known for its development of fast-jet training aircraft, Czech Republic aircraft manufacturer Aero Vodochody has taken a major step towards the first flight of its …

• Special Operations

  US Army prepares for new weapon milestone

  4th March 2018

  The US Army has released a draft prototype opportunity notice (PON) for its Next Generation Squad Automatic Rifle (NGSAR).  The 1 March release is seen …

• Digital Battlespace

  European Space Agency to launch quantum satellites

  16th January 2018

  The European Space Agency (ESA) and its industrial partners are planning to launch two quantum key distribution satellites at the beginning of next decade, and …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Red Sky neutralises drone threats

  1st March 2018

  A short-range drone defense system, Red Sky 2, developed by Israeli Military Industries (IMI) has been sold to the government of Thailand for protecting strategic …

• Training

  Increasing S-70A, UH-60 training opportunities

  1st March 2018

  FlightSafety International (FSI) is to offer a new Sikorsky S-70A training syllabus at its West Palm Beach Learning Center in Florida. The S-70A is based …

• Training

  CAE provides RPA training to UAE

  26th February 2018

  CAE Maritime Middle East (MME) is delivering training for United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force RQ-1E remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) aircrew, the company announced on …

• Digital Battlespace

  UAE F-16 fleet get HUD upgrade

  13th February 2018

  BAE Systems will modernise head-up displays (HUD) on the United Arab Emirates’ F-16 aircraft under a contract with Lockheed Martin. The HUD, which sits directly …

• Digital Battlespace

  Philippine C4ISTAR contract awarded

  22nd January 2018

  The US has contracted Harris Corporation to deliver a C4ISTAR system to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), with the FMS deal priced at …

• Defence Helicopter

  Russian MoD set to order 114 more Ka-52s

  7th February 2018

  The Russian MoD has announced plans for inking a large-scale contract covering delivery of 114 more Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopters. According to Yury Borisov, deputy …

• Military Logistics

  Park Air ATM system for Montenegro

  19th February 2018

  Park Air Systems has received a contract from the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) to supply a new communication system to Golubovci Airbase in …

• Digital Battlespace

  EO/IR Special Report: Controp delivers to Vietnam Navy

  15th February 2018

  Electro-optic specialists Controp has completed deliveries of its iSea-40HD maritime electro-optical/infrared payload to the Vietnamese Navy under the terms of a contract announced in November 2017. …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  B200 upgrades cease as Heron TP capabilities grow

  28th February 2018

  No future upgrades are planned for the B200 reconnaissance aircraft currently operated by the Israeli Air Force (IAF), following a decision to transfer its expected …

• Defence Notes

  Singapore Airshow 2018: Lightning strikes twice in Singapore

  8th February 2018

  The defence equipment creating the most excitement at Singapore Airshow 2018 is probably the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II fighter, with a pair of USMC …

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 ...