• Defence Notes

  Reporting on Russia's invasion of Ukraine (podcast)

  27th May 2022

  In a new-look Shephard Defence Podcast, the news team discusses the rapidly-evolving situation in Ukraine and latest developments following Russia's unprovoked invasion.

• Naval Warfare

  Danish Harpoon missiles could ease Black Sea coast pressure on Ukraine

  25th May 2022

  The supply of the missiles could help Ukraine alleviate pressure on its Black Sea coast, which has effectively been under blockade by the Russian Navy since the beginning of the invasion.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  ReconRobotics aims to broaden Throwbot 2 capabilities

  12th May 2022

  Plans are in place to expand the capabilities of the Throwbot 2 UGV to transport additional payloads.

• Defence Notes

  Lockheed Martin to produce more ballistic missile defence interceptors for US and Saudis

  4th April 2022

  The latest THAAD contract modification will see Lockheed Martin produce more interceptors and one-shot devices for the DoD and Saudi Arabia.

• Training

  IT2EC 2022: Ascent shakes up Shawbury and eyes overseas students

  27th April 2022

  Will the RAF follow the example of the Army Air Corps and Fleet Air Arm by venturing into rotary-only training at Shawbury?

• Defence Helicopter

  Airbus H145M successfully fires Spike ER2 missile

  2nd June 2022

  The first firing of the Rafael Spike ER2 anti-tank guided missile from an Airbus H145M medium helicopter follows months of integration and development of the weapon.

• Land Warfare

  Sweden looks to boost artillery capability

  5th May 2022

  The Swedish Army has committed to additional Mjölner 120mm mortars and Archer self-propelled howitzers, and is considering acquisition of MLRS or HIMARS rocket systems.

• Training

  Leonardo approaches Slovakia with M-345

  12th May 2022

  While the L-39NG is having success across the globe, Leonardo’s M-345 trainer aircraft is added to the list of proposed solutions to replace the Slovak Air Force’s ageing L-39 jets.

• Air Warfare

  Indo-Pacific 2022: Australia seals MH-60R and AH-64E deals

  11th May 2022

  Replacing European-designed helicopters, Australia has turned back to the US for attack and naval rotorcraft.

• Naval Warfare

  Reina Isabel returns to port after partial failure to complete Ukraine delivery

  16th May 2022

  The Spanish Navy support vessel Reina Isabel returned to its homeport on 13 May after a mission to deliver arms, ammunition and Ukraine — although Kyiv did not receive everything it expected.

• Air Warfare

  US hails HAWC test but still plays catch-up on hypersonics

  8th April 2022

  The second successful test flight of the HAWC missile fails to obscure patchy progress overall in US hypersonic programmes.

• Digital Battlespace

  DoD to investigate further use of 5G

  6th April 2022

  In its FY2023 budget request, the DoD called for $250 million to be allocated for 5G projects with the goal to deepen the use of this technology in military applications. Providing low-latency and higher speeds communications are among the goals for the US armed forces.

• Land Warfare

  Senegal orders LG1 howitzers

  28th April 2022

  Nexter announces its first direct contract from Senegal.

• Land Warfare

  Raytheon gains Patriot support work in Taiwan

  6th April 2022

  FMS deal worth $95 million will see Raytheon oversee training, planning, fielding, deployment, operation, maintenance, and sustainment of the Patriot air defence system in Taiwan.

• Defence Notes

  Australia accelerates missile buys, selects partners for sovereign capability

  6th April 2022

  Australia is pushing ahead with plans to give it the eventual capability of manufacturing advanced missiles on home shores.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Destroyers

  Canadian Surface Combatant/River Class (1-3) [Canada]

  Development and Procurement Requirements Fifteen frigates are being procured to replace the Royal Canadian Navy's 12 ageing Halifax-class frigates and the now-retired Iroquois-class destroyers with ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Future Fighter Capability Project [Canada]

  Programme Background Canada’s defence policy estimates the acquisition of the aircraft, associated equipment and setup to enable entry into service will cost C$15-19 billion ($12.9-14.5 billion). In ...

• Destroyers

  Canadian Surface Combatant/River Class (4-15) [Canada]

  Development and Procurement Requirements Fifteen frigates are being procured to replace the Royal Canadian Navy's 12 ageing Halifax-class frigates and the now-retired Iroquois-class destroyers with ...

• Military helicopters - light/training

  Future Aircrew Training Program (Helicopter Procurement) - Canada

  Programme Background The FAcT requires to graduate 120 pilots, 40 combat systems officers and 36 airborne electronic sensor operators per year with 15% fluctuation. Training services ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Canadian Surface Combatant/River Class (4-15) [Canada]

  The Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) project is part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy to replace both the Iroquois-class destroyers and the Halifax-class multi-role patrol frigates. ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Canadian Surface Combatant/River Class (4-15) [Canada]

  The Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) project is part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy to replace both the Iroquois-class destroyers and the Halifax-class multi-role patrol frigates. ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Canadian Surface Combatant/River Class (1-3) [Canada]

  The Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) project is part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy to replace both the Iroquois-class destroyers and the Halifax-class multi-role patrol frigates. ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Canadian Surface Combatant/River Class (1-3) [Canada]

  The Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) project is part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy to replace both the Iroquois-class destroyers and the Halifax-class multi-role patrol frigates. ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Canadian Surface Combatant/River Class [Canada]

  The Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) project is part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy to replace both the Iroquois-class destroyers and the Halifax-class multi-role patrol frigates. ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Canadian Surface Combatant/River Class [Canada]

  The Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) project is part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy to replace both the Iroquois-class destroyers and the Halifax-class multi-role patrol frigates. ...

• Trainer

  Future Aircrew Training Program [Fixed-wing Aircraft Procurement] - Canada

  Programme Background The new procurement will result in one contract covering all the requirements, including maintenance and infrastructure services. Training services are currently provided through ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) [Japan]

  Programme Background Shephard notes that GCAP's Japanese, British and Italian components are tracked in separate entries. Programme Timeline 2020: The Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency of Japan issued ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  CH-53K [U.S. Marine Corps]

  Programme Background The U.S. Marine Corps awarded Sikorsky a USD$10.855 billion contract covering up to 99 CH-53K helicopters. According to Lockheed Martin, this is the ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  New Medium Helicopter (NMH) [UK]

  Programme Background NMH Market Interest Day On 11 November 2021, the MoD communicated the requirements of the £1 billion ($1.34 billion) New Medium Helicopter (NMH) ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-16V Block 70 (Bahrain)

  Programme Background In 2018, the US government awarded a $1.12 billion contract to Lockheed Martin to produce 16 F-16 Block 70 aircraft for Bahrain, which ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  CMS 330

  Lockheed Martin Canada's CMS 330 is a combat management system designed as a modern, affordable solution for mid-life upgrades in particular. Initially developed for the ...

• Submarine-launched torpedoes

  Mk 48 Mod 7AT CBASS

  The MK 48 MOD 7 Common Broadband Advanced Sonar System (CBASS) is the latest variant of the Mk 48 torpedo family manufactured by Lockheed Martin and ...

• Sea: naval surveillance radar

  AN/SPY-7(V)1

  The AN/SPY-7(V)1 is a solid-state naval surveillance radar produced and manufactured by Lockheed Martin. The system is expected to be fully integrated into programmes for ...

• Land: coastal surveillance radars

  JORN

  The Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) is an over-the-horizon, three-radar surveillance system manufactured by Lockheed Martin. It is deployed across three radar locations in Australia ...

• Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Indago

  Indago is a small quadrotor UAV with VTOL. It is equipped with a large-screen handset and is marketed as 'whisper-quiet' with a noise level of ...

• Destroyers

  River Class (Type 26)

  The Type 26 Anti-Submarine Warfare frigate has been designed for the UK Royal Navy, but with an emphasis on export. Both the Royal Canadian Navy ...

• Maritime patrol

  P-3 Orion

  Lockheed Martin's P-3 Orion MPA is in service with 21 operators across 17 countries in a variety of standards, designations and configurations with an upgrade ...

• Trainer

  Phenom 100

  Phenom 100 is a very light jet originally developed for single owner-pilot operation but later gained popularity as a jet trainer aircraft. The platform first ...

• Sea: sonar systems

  TB-37(U)/AN/SQR-20

  The TB-37(U) is a Multi-Function Towed Array (MFTA) sonar developed by Lockheed Martin as the primary contractor, with L3Harris contributing to the production and providing Towed ...

• Land: battlefield and ground surveillance radar

  AN/TPQ-53

  The AN/TPQ-53 counterfire target acquisition radar can track incoming rounds at a range of 60km when using its 90° search mode or at 20km range ...

• Fighter - air superiority

  F-22A Raptor

  F-22A Raptor is a fifth-generation stealth air superiority fighter with air-to-ground attack capability. It was developed by Lockheed Martin to meet the requirement of the USAF ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  Vectis

  Unveiled in September 2025, the Vectis is an MALE fixed-wing UAV from Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. The UAV is designed to operate alongside 5th and next-generation ...

• Naval: RF, IR and acoustic decoys

  ALEX

  Lockheed Martin’s Automated Launch of Expendables (ALEX) can be integrated into an EW suite or act as a standalone system. Modularity allows a number of ...

• Heavy UGVs

  AMAS

  The Autonomous Mobility Appliqué System (AMAS) is a multi-platform kit designed to integrate low-cost sensors and control systems onto US Army and USMC tactical vehicles ...

• Air: mission management systems

  ABCCC III

  The Airborne Battlefield Command and Control Centre (ABCCC) is a capsulised, integrated battle management and communications system that is installed in USAF EC-130E Hercules aircraft ...