• Defence Notes

  North Korean EMP attack ‘unlikely’

  20th September 2017

  It has been the subject of speculation in novels, news stories and analysis papers for decades. An enemy state uses a nuclear electromagnetic pulse (NEMP) …

• Training

  Lockheed T-50A completes 100 flights

  6th October 2017

  Lockheed Martin has successfully completed the 100th flight of the T-50A aircraft at its Greenville facility in South Carolina, the company announced on 4 October. …

• Military Logistics

  COTECMAR launches new logistics ship for the Honduran Navy

  10th October 2017

  The logistics support vessel (BAL-C) FNH-1611 Gracias a Dios built for the Honduran Naval Force (FNH) was launched at COTECMAR’s Cartagena shipyard on 29 September.Built …

• Digital Battlespace

  Rockwell demos WBHF comms link

  21st September 2017

  Rockwell Collins has successfully demonstrated the resilience of next-generation high frequency (HF) communications using a wideband high frequency (WBHF) system over a 5,000 mile distance, …

• Naval Warfare

  Frigates and OPVs parade three by three in Australia

  10th October 2017

  Frigates and OPVs were a major focus at the Pacific International Maritime Exposition in Sydney last week, with each programme – Project Sea 5000 and …

• Training

  MASS to support EW training for DSCIS

  9th October 2017

  Cohort company MASS will provide the Defence School of Communication Information Systems (DSCIS) at Blandford, UK, with a classroom simulator to support the UK Ministry …

• Military Logistics

  Airbus receives order for five A330 MRTTs

  28th September 2017

  Airbus Defence and Space has received an order for five A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft (MRTT) that will be operated as part of the …

• Digital Battlespace

  NavHub system for German armed forces

  15th September 2017

  Rockwell Collins’ NavHub navigation system has been selected by the German Ministry of Defence to provide Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) availability to a variety …

• Digital Battlespace

  Rockwell Collins demos new communication link

  19th September 2017

  Rockwell Collins has demonstrated a new directional communication link with longer range and anti-jamming capability for smaller applications such as UAS, radar systems and satellite …

• Naval Warfare

  Pacific 2017: Light Typhoon hits Sydney

  4th October 2017

  Israeli firm Rafael took the opportunity afforded by the Pacific International Maritime Exposition in Sydney to internationally launch its latest variant of the Typhoon remote-controlled …

• Defence Helicopter

  AUSA 2017: UH-60V digital cockpit moving to next stage

  9th October 2017

  The US Army initiative for the UH-60V Black Hawk integrated avionics suite is well underway as Northrop Grumman modernises the UH-60L cockpit to the V-Model …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  NAVSEA cancels EOD robotic systems solicitation

  10th October 2017

  The US Navy Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) has cancelled solicitations for the Advanced Explosive Ordnance Disposal Robotic Systems (AEODRS) Increments 2 and 3. The circumstances …

• Digital Battlespace

  Thales introduces COMTICS

  19th September 2017

  Thales has launched COMTICS, a resilient, high-availability shipboard information distribution system designed to provide operational services to naval personnel at sea. The advanced communication system …

• Land Warfare

  AUSA 2017: SAIC partnership to compete for MPF contract

  8th October 2017

  Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) has announced it will develop combat vehicle prototypes to meet the US Army’s Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) requirement. The announcement on 5 …

• Defence Helicopter

  AUSA 2017: Raytheon demos helicopter landing precision

  11th October 2017

  Raytheon is showcasing a concept of its precision approach and landing technology for helicopters to the US Army at AUSA 2017 in Washington DC. A …

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 ...