• Defence Notes

  BAE Systems joins DARPA’s MINC programme

  5th May 2022

  BAE Systems receives a contract from US agency to develop an autonomous tactical network.

• Digital Battlespace

  Latest US research targets enemy decision loops

  29th April 2022

  BAE Systems has been tasked with developing new information warfare techniques to paralyse adversary decision chains.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Fire Scout demonstration reveals rapid mine countermeasures benefits

  11th July 2022

  The USN has conducted tests of a prototype airborne mine countermeasures system aboard the MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter.

• Land Warfare

  Slovakia selects CV90MkIV under BVP replacement effort

  6th July 2022

  With the selection of the BAE Systems CV90MkIV under the PBV programme, the Slovak MoD is one step closer to retiring its almost five decades-old fleet of BVPs.

• Land Warfare

  MilDef to provide technology for Norwegian armoured vehicles

  7th July 2022

  With deliveries scheduled in 2022-2023, MilDef will equip various variants of the M113 with computers, displays and network infrastructure for C2.

• Defence Notes

  Western reinforcement helping Ukraine protect itself, UK defence exports director says

  8th August 2022

  Western equipment sent to Ukraine is helping reinforce Ukraine in its defence against Russia’s invasion, the head of the UK's Defence and Security Exports agency told Shephard.

• Naval Warfare

  Incumbent loses out as Austal USA wins follow-on Offshore Patrol Cutter contract

  4th July 2022

  Austal will leverage its new steel shipbuilding facility to build up to 11 Heritage-class OPCs for the US Coast Guard.

• Digital Battlespace

  UK injects £2.35 billion into Eurofighter ECRS Mk2 upgrade

  17th July 2022

  The Eurofighter Typhoon ECRS Mk2 upgrade has received a significant financial boost.

• Land Warfare

  First US Army Mobile Protected Firepower vehicles will be delivered in 2023

  7th July 2022

  General Dynamics Land Systems will supply 96 vehicles under a $1.14 billion contract for the Mobile Protected Firepower programme.

• Naval Warfare

  Harland & Wolff to revamp ex-Royal Navy MCMV for Lithuania

  15th July 2022

  Harland & Wolff has won a £55 million ($65 million) contract to revamp the former RN MCMV HMS Quorn for the Lithuanian Navy at its Appledore shipyard.

• Land Warfare

  Eurosatory 2022: Sweden receives final batch of Archers and plans to order more

  16th June 2022

  BAE Systems Bofors confirmed at Eurosatory 2022 that it is working to supply more Archer SPHs to Sweden.

• Air Warfare

  BAE Systems develops M-Code receiver for precision weapons

  10th June 2022

  SABR-M uses advanced beamforming technology to improve GPS signal reception and counter threat signals against guided weapons.

• Land Warfare

  US Marine Corps seeks to apply lessons from Russo-Ukrainian war

  25th July 2022

  The US Marine Corps has been learning lessons from the war in Ukraine and is now focusing on the acquisition and deployment of UAVs and artillery systems with long-range capabilities.

• Land Warfare

  Archer advances to final round of Swiss SPH contest

  10th June 2022

  Archer from BAE Systems Bofors could meet future Swiss SPH requirements.

• Naval Warfare

  RNZN’s second frigate returns after prolonged upgrade

  14th July 2022

  New Zealand's second frigate was out of commission for more than three years whilst undergoing an upgrade in Canada.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Loitering munitions, Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  Tempest 50 [USAF]

  Programme Background Contract Award On 18 December 2024, the US DoD announced that the USAF had awarded Firestorm Labs a $100 million Small Business Innovation Research ...

• Trainer

  Hawk 127 Replacement (Future Lead-In Fighter Training System- Project Air 6002 PH1) [Australia]

  Programme Background Requirements The RAAF is seeking a future solution that provides a ‘relevant, adaptable, affordable and safe LIFTS out to 2050’ for training pilots ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Fast Response Cutters (USCG Domestic Programme) (68-77)

  As reported by Shephard in July 2025, the US Coast Guard (USCG) will receive around $25 billion to cover the acquisition of new capabilities from ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Fast Response Cutters (USCG Domestic Programme) (68-77)

  As reported by Shephard in July 2025, the US Coast Guard (USCG) will receive around $25 billion to cover the acquisition of new capabilities from ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  Indonesian Navy PC-60M

  Programme Background Local Indonesian shipyard PT Caputra Mitra Sejati has designed and developed a class of fast patrol boats that have been ordered by the ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  Roussen Class

  The Roussen class fast attack craft missile (FACM) is in service with the Hellenic Navy. The British-design FACMs also known as the Super Vita, has been improved ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  New Water Jet Fast Attack Craft (NWJFAC) (1-31) [India]

  Programme Background Requirements The Indian Navy is seeking replacements for a large proportion of its 19 46-49m-long waterjet-powered fast attack craft, several of which are approaching ...

• Patrol boats

  Fast Patrol Vessels (1-8) [India]

  Programme Background On 28 March 2022, the Indian MoD signed a contract worth INR 4.73 billion ($62.1 million) with Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) for the procurement ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  ACV-30 PRTV (USA)

  Programme Background The Armoured Combat Vehicle (ACV) programme is intended to provide a replacement for the USMC's fleet of Amphibious Assault Vehicle 7 (AAV7) tracked ...

• Patrol boats

  Fast Response Cutters (USCG Domestic Programme) (68-77)

  Programme Background Timeline As reported by Shephard in July 2025, the US Coast Guard (USCG) will receive around $25 billion to cover the acquisition of new ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  Fast Patrol Boats Procurement (1-20) [Greece]

  Programme Background Requirements In March 2025, the Hellenic Coast Guard published an updated version of its 2021-2027 Procurement Plan. The Plan has a total budget ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  UK supplied Fast Inshore Attack Craft (FIAC) [Ukraine]

  Programme Background It was first reported in late September 2020 that the UK could provide eight Barzan-class fast attack craft to Ukraine. The platform has been ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Fast Patrol Vessels Procurement [India]

  In January 2023, the Indian MoD issued a Request For Proposals (RFP) entailing the acquisition of 14 Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) for the Indian Coast ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Fast Patrol Vessels Procurement [India]

  In January 2023, the Indian MoD issued a Request For Proposals (RFP) entailing the acquisition of 14 Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) for the Indian Coast ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Fast Patrol Vessels Procurement (1-14) [India]

  In January 2023, the Indian MoD issued a Request For Proposals (RFP) entailing the acquisition of 14 Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) for the Indian Coast ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  INTeACT

  Developed by BAE Systems, INTeACT is a next-generation combat management system for surface vessels with a dedicated software development kit (SDK). Notably, it includes AI-powered ...

• Loitering munitions, Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  Tempest 50

  The Tempest 50 is an American loitering munition and UAV from Firestorm Labs. Uniquely, 50 units of the UAV a month can be produced from ...

• UAS: communication systems

  Helix Mesh Rider

  Helix Mesh Rider is a SWaP (Size, Weight and Power) optimised mesh radio designed for uncrewed systems. Notably, it supports six frequency bands in a ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  Fast Interceptor Craft

  The Fast Interceptor Craft (FIC) is a high-speed insertion craft developed and built by VT Halmatic, now part of BAE Systems Maritime. According to BAE ...

• Subsystems: software

  Vortex Simulation

  Vortex Simulation is a software platform for simulating tactical wheeled and tracked vehicles, speciality vehicles and non-tactical vehicles. Vortex lets training systems developers and engineers ...

• Data links

  QNT

  The QUINT Networking Technology (QNT) programme is intended to develop robust, affordable, miniature networked data link technologies suitable for use on weapons and by tactical ...

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

  Sky Mantis 2

  Unveiled in March 2024, the Sky Mantis 2 is a mini rotary-wing drone manufactured by Evolve Dynamics.  Based on end-user feedback, the drone is an ...

• Air: mission management systems

  RAFES

  Germany’s NBC defence C2 system, known as RAFES, is integrated into the overall FüInfoSys Heer army C2 system, adding NBC-specific functions to the standard mapping, ...

• Air: aerial targets

  BQM-34 Firebee

  The BQM-34 Firebee is an uncrewed aerial target system that the USAF and USN have used for more than 50 years. The primary mission of ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - small

  Commander 3XL

  Described by the manufacturer, Draganfly, as the Swiss Army knife of drones, the Commander 3XL is a rotary-wing, multi-purpose UAV. The Commander 3 XL Hybrid is ...

• Unguided Medium Calibre Ammunition

  Bofors 40mm 3P

  The Bofors 40mm 3P (Pre-fragmented, Programmable, proximity-fused) is a multi-purpose medium calibre round designed for the Bofors 40 Mk4, a gun system manufactured by BAE Systems ...

• Naval guns

  Mk 38 Mod 2/3

  The Mk 38 Machine Gun System is a stabilised self-defence weapon system intended for ships' self-defence capabilities in all weather conditions, day or night. Installed ...

• EW test systems

  FAST

  Functional And Stray voltage Tester (FAST) is a handheld armament pre-flight tester that functions as a flightline tester. It is used to perform ‘O’-level armament ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  P550

  Designed by AeroVironment, the P550 is a fixed-wing UAV that can host reconnaissance, EW or offensive payloads. It was developed in collaboration with Parry Labs and features ...

• Self-propelled mortars

  AMOS

  The Advanced Mortar System (AMOS) is a twin-barrelled, 120mm breech-loading mortar turret designed to be mounted onto medium-sized wheeled or tracked APC chassis and fast ...