• Training

  I/ITSEC 2017: NAVAIR to leverage virtual reality

  4th December 2017

  The US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) is looking to leverage virtual reality technology as it develops new flight simulation trainers. The Naval Aviation Training …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2017: US acquisition strategy comes into question

  28th November 2017

  Acquisition strategy has been high on the agenda at this year’s I/ITSEC with the services looking into innovative ways to make the process faster when …

• Defence Notes

  Dubai Airshow 2017: Scorpion in the Arabian sand (video)

  14th November 2017

  Brett Pierson, flight test pilot at Textron Systems, takes Shephard  through the capabilities of the Scorpion and its light attack and ISR mission profiles.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  SeeByte wins MK18 UUV support contract

  29th November 2017

  SeeByte has received a $22.59 million contract to provide engineering, technical support, and training services over five years for the US Navy's MK18 unmanned underwater …

• Naval Warfare

  Cost versus capability for future Canadian frigate

  30th November 2017

  The future shape of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) will be decided in 2018 based on bids submitted for the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) programme, …

• Defence Helicopter

  D&S 2017: Turkey promotes attack helos and UAVs

  8th November 2017

  Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) showcased its T129 Atak multirole combat helicopter and its fixed-wing Anka medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAV for the Thai and regional market …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2017: Rockwell brings displays to F-16 training

  27th November 2017

  Rockwell Collins has been selected by Lockheed Martin to provide display systems to two undisclosed international F-16 training programme customers. The F-16 solution will include …

• Training

  Dubai Airshow 2017: FAT begins on UAE Northstar 407 MRH

  14th November 2017

  With CAE providing the UAE Joint Aviation Command with a suite of helicopter simulators and training devices for the NorthStar Aviation 407MRH and Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk, …

• Defence Notes

  Analysis: China hones naval defence systems

  17th November 2017

  Chinese companies have honed their maritime and naval defence systems via experience gained from their land reclamation efforts and base building in the South China …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2017: Quantum3D expands portfolio

  27th November 2017

  Best known for its real-time image generation capabilities, California-based Quantum3D is using I/ITSEC 2017 to highlight a number of new products and expand its offering. …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Weaponised Fire Scout on the horizon

  7th December 2017

  The newest iteration of the Northrop Grumman Fire Scout, the MQ-8C, will be transitioned into fleet operations at the end of 2018 according to the US …

• Military Logistics

  Japan will expand military base in Djibouti

  29th November 2017

  Great attention has been paid to the establishment of a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) base in Djibouti – and rightly so – but less attention …

• Land Warfare

  Russian unit rearmed with S-400 SAM

  15th November 2017

  An air defence missile unit of the Russian armed forces’ Eastern Military District (MD) Air and Air Defence Army located in the Primorsky Krai has …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Azur Drones, Thales developing Phebus

  28th November 2017

  Azur Drones and Thales are developing Phebus, a connected mini-UAS and secure communications cell designed for defence forces and security services, Thales announced on 24 …

• Training

  I/ITSEC 2017: Robotic infantry target debuts (video)

  28th November 2017

  Pratt & Miller Defense has debuted the newest addition to its Trackless Moving Targets (TMT) family at this year's I/ITSEC with a solution that replicates …

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 ...