• Defence Notes

  Nine civilians killed as Syria regime strikes shake Ghouta

  6th March 2018

  At least nine civilians were killed on 6 March in Syria's Eastern Ghouta as fresh regime air strikes and clashes shook the rebel enclave outside …

• Digital Battlespace

  Astro Aerospace completes NISAR CDR

  31st January 2018

  Astro Aerospace has completed the critical design review of the AstroMesh radar antenna reflector for the NASA-Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) synthetic aperture radar (NISAR) …

• Digital Battlespace

  EO/IR Special Report: Elbit prepares As-Pac optics deliveries

  25th February 2018

  Elbit Systems is preparing to deliver the Condor 2 airborne sensor system for integration on an undisclosed Asia-Pacific fighter fleet next year. Under a $82 …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Lockheed launches VCSi software

  22nd February 2018

  Lockheed Martin has developed VCSi, a new control software that enables operators to simultaneously control multiple UAS and conduct ISR missions from anywhere around the …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Two Pilot Project activities complete

  27th February 2018

  Two research activities, SPIDER and EuroSWARM, part of the Pilot Project on defence research, have completed successfully, the European Defence Agency (EDA) announced on 23 …

• Special Operations

  AFSOC hones tactical training edge

  7th March 2018

  Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) is helping pre-deployment forces hone their tactical training edge, according to recent contract awards and sources sought announcements. On 1 …

• Digital Battlespace

  EO/IR Special Report: Border concerns driving Asia EO/IR market

  12th February 2018

  Maritime and land border protection are key concerns the world over, although ongoing tensions between neighbouring nations in the Asia Pacific are expected to drive …

• Digital Battlespace

  EO/IR Special Report: L3 Wescam launches new tech (sponsored)

  12th February 2018

  L3 WESCAM has announced that it has created smarter, more technologically advanced EO/IR systems by incorporating high-performing imaging and processing technologies into its MX Series …

• Digital Battlespace

  EO/IR Special Report: Market overview (video)

  12th February 2018

  The military EO/IR systems market is estimated to be worth around $10 billion and projected to reach $14.2 billion by 2022, at a CAGR of …

• Digital Battlespace

  USAF makes contract with new SBIRS satellite

  24th January 2018

  The US Air Force’s 460th Space Wing has made contact with the fourth Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) satellite, Lockheed Martin …

• Training

  USAF to get enhanced training courseware

  2nd March 2018

  US company Alpha-Omega Change Engineering (AOCE) has been awarded a $8.5 million firm, fixed-price contract modification, known as Phase 1, to produce additional training courseware for …

• Digital Battlespace

  EO/IR Special Report: MX-series surveillance systems (sponsored video)

  12th February 2018

  On 6 February 2018, L3 Wescam announced that it has created smarter, more technologically advanced EO/IR systems by incorporating high-performing imaging and processing technologies into …

• Digital Battlespace

  BAE demonstrates new DBM software

  15th February 2018

  BAE Systems is developing a semi-autonomous, on-board software to enhance shared situational awareness between operators and pilots during air-to-air and air-to-ground combat operations.The new approach …

• Land Warfare

  EO/IR Special Report: Asian armies sensitive to vehicle EO/IR needs

  12th February 2018

  Demand for vehicle-based EO/IR systems for surveillance and observation operations is increasing rapidly across the Asia-Pacific region. Following North America, the region is anticipated to …

• Military Logistics

  Marines look to new HIMARS resupply vehicles

  5th March 2018

  The United States Marine Corps is looking for interested industry sources to help support a modification to the resupply vehicle component of its High Mobility …

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 - 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]

  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 surveillance ...

• 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 ...

• 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, ...

• 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 ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini

  Mini Intelligence Drone System (SMDR) [France]

  Background Requirement The French Army identified a need for a new tactical UAS to replace the Drac, which entered service in 2008. The Mini Reconnaissance ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• Military UAS - small

  Small UAV (Bulgaria)

  Programme Background The Bulgarian Army wants to procure UAVs to enhance the organic tactical ISR capabilities of its ground forces. According to Bulgarian media, a ...

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 ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing

  S-70UAS U-Hawk

  Unveiled at AUSA 2025, the S-70UAS U-Hawk is an uncrewed version of Sikorsky’s crewed UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter.  It will act as a delivery aircraft for medium-sized uncrewed ground vehicles ...

• 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 ...