• Defence Notes

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  12th June 2019

  Join Shephard's Premium News community and get access to the latest aerospace and defence news, insights and opinions written by our dedicated Air, Land and …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  US Army moving AI into robotic platforms

  28th June 2019

  The US Army has begun technical experimentation targeting the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) into its robotic platforms. Aspects of both current and planned AI …

• Land Warfare

  GDLS awarded Abrams support

  14th June 2019

  General Dynamics Land Systems has been awarded a contract modification for Abrams vehicle support, the US Department of Defense announced on 12 June.The $16.2 million …

• Defence Notes

  Khibini-2 EW systems for the Russian Su-34 bomber fleet

  17th June 2019

  The Russian Air and Space Forces Su-34 bombers have begun receiving the new KNIRTI Khibini-2 pod-mounted electronic warfare (EW) system. The first front-line unit to …

• Digital Battlespace

  Terma: RNLAF and Belgian deliveries complete

  20th June 2019

  Terma announced on 19 June that it had completed the deliveries of Missile Warning Systems (MWS) and 3D-Audio upgrades for F-16 platforms operated by the …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Valkyrie flies again

  18th June 2019

  Kratos Defense & Security Solutions’ XQ-58A Valkyrie completed its latest successful test/demonstration flight on 11 June.According to the company, during the 71 minute flight the …

• Digital Battlespace

  Australia to develop advanced sensing technology

  6th May 2019

  The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the University of Sydney Nano Institute have launched a scientific collaboration to develop advanced sensing technologies, the Australian …

• Digital Battlespace

  DSTL's Stone Soup to aid sensor fusion

  18th June 2019

  The UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) is hoping its novel approach to algorithm solving will improve tracking and fusion systems as part of …

• Military Logistics

  Raytheon awarded JPALS work

  18th June 2019

  Raytheon will equip the US Navy’s nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships with the Joint Precision Approach and Landing Systems (JPALS) under a $234 …

• Defence Notes

  Lockheed Martin grows in Camden

  19th June 2019

  Lockheed Martin is investing $142 million in its Camden facility in Arkansas, the company announced on 17 June.The Camden facility produces the High Mobility Artillery …

• Naval Warfare

  India approves more P-8 aircraft

  25th June 2019

  On 20 June the Indian MoD approved the acquisition of an extra ten P-8I Neptune maritime patrol aircraft for the Indian Navy (IN), just the …

• Naval Warfare

  US lawmakers raise concerns about enemy swarms

  17th June 2019

  Worried that the US Navy’s surface ships might be vulnerable to hostile swarms of drones or other unmanned systems, a congressional panel is calling on …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Chess develops new C-UAS solutions

  12th June 2019

  Chess Dynamics has launched two automated UAS protection systems designed to protect airports and other critical infrastructure from rogue drone attacks.Based on the AUDS C-UAS …

• Defence Helicopter

  Lockheed Martin develops Rely3D

  13th June 2019

  Lockheed Martin has launched a new version of its Rely3D visualisation and training tool for Apache AH-64 sensor system maintainers. Rely3D leverages capabilities from commercial …

• Defence Notes

  Podcast: The future of the military unmanned systems market, a look ahead to the Paris Air Show, and who are Raytheon Technologies?

  14th June 2019

  Welcome to Episode 21 of The Weekly Defence Podcast. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and more. Sign up to an early email alert of future podcasts here.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - mini

  Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Sensor Integration on Robotic Platforms (CSIRP) [US Army]

  Background  Requirements The purpose of the CSIRP is to repackage and integrate modular CBRN sensors onto uncrewed systems to provide increased situational awareness on the ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  M1135 Stryker NBC Reconnaissance Vehicle

  Programme Background According to the DSCA's notification to Congress, the acquisition of 50 M1135 Strykers was intended to allow the Iraqi government to identify harmful ...

• Military UAS - small

  Black Hornet 3 PRS (UK)

  Background The British Army operated approximately 160 first-generation Black Hornet PD-100 nano UAS between 2013 and 2017, when the decision was made to retire the ...

• Loitering munitions

  Organic Precision Fire - Light (OPF-L) (Uncontracted) [USMC]

  Background Force Design 2030 The USMC Force Design 2030 is a modernisation effort to create a lighter, more agile maritime force. In May 2022, an annual update ...

• Military UAS - micro

  French Operational Pocket Drone / DrOP (France)

  Programme Background French UAV Procurment / DrOP Under its 2019-2025 Military Programming Law (LPM), France aims to introduce 1,200 new UAVs into service with the ...

• Loitering munitions

  Organic Precision Fire - Light (OPF-L) (Contracted) [USMC]

  Background Force Design 2030 The USMC Force Design 2030 is a modernisation effort to create a lighter, more agile maritime force. In May 2022, an ...

• Military UAS - micro

  Black Hornet 4 [Switzerland]

  Background Announcment Teledyne FLIR Defense announced on 2 February 2026 that it had received a $17.5 million contract from armasuisse, the Swiss Federal Office of ...

• Military UAS - small

  Bug Nano UAS (UK)

  Background The British Army previously took delivery of 160 first-generation Black Hornet PD-100 nano UAS in 2013 to support operations in Afghanistan. After these systems ...

• Military UAS - micro

  Black Hornet 3 (First Order) [Norway]

  Programme Background First Batch The Norwegian Home Guard has procured the Black Hornet 3 to provide each of its districts with a nano UAS that ...

• Military UAS - micro

  Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) (Phase II) [USA]

  Programme Background Requirement The Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) provides short-range day and night ISR to US Army units at the squad, platoon and other small ...

• Military UAS - micro

  Black Hornet 3 (Second Order) [Norway]

  Programme Background First Order The Norwegian Home Guard has procured the Black Hornet 3 to provide each of its districts with a nano UAS that ...

• Military UAS - micro

  Black Hornet 4 [Germany]

  Programme Background BAAINBw In February 2025, Shephard reported that Teledyne FLIR had been awarded a $15 million contract from Germany’s Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology ...

• Military UAS - micro

  DEF129 (Nano UAS) [Australia]

  Programme Background DEF129 The Australian Ground Service has combined various army procurement efforts under the DEF129 programme to increase the abundance and proliferation of UAVs ...

• Military UAS - micro

  Black Hornet 3 (Ukraine Aid) [UK & Norway]

  Programme Background Russo-Ukraine War Since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022, UAVs have proved vital to the country's defence. Consequently, as in this programme, the ...

• Military UAS - micro

  Black Hornet 3 (Ukrainian Aid) [Norway]

  Background Previous Purchases Norway has purchased two batches for its use, the first in October 2020 and the second in June 2022. International Fund For ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - mini

  R80D SkyRaider

  The military-grade R80D SkyRaider VTOL small UAS is an open-architecture, multi-mission aircraft. Manufactured by Teledyne FLIR System exclusively for US DoD and Federal Agencies, the ...

• Light UGVs

  PackBot

  PackBot, previously designated 510 PackBot, is a tracked, tactical, mobile UGV with forward-articulated flippers that can perform multiple missions. PackBot is being delivered to customers ...

• Military UAS - tactical

  SICX-25

  The SICX-25 is a rotary-wing UAV suitable for a range of military, commercial and civil missions, including tactical ISTAR, bomb damage assessment, civil air surveillance, ...

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  Reveal D&I

  Reveal D&I; is a real-time gas detection and identification chemical imaging software for hyperspectral data. This software allows the real-time detection of a large portfolio ...

• EO/IR systems

  FLIR 111

  The FLIR 111 is a field-proven, high-performance, compact, and lightweight Forward Looking InfraRed (FLIR) system designed for utility and attack helicopters.  It is jointly produced ...

• EO/IR systems

  KUH FLIR

  The KUH FLIR is an IR system from Hanwha Systems for the Korean Utility Helicopter (KUH). Hanwha says it provides stable infrared images at night and/or under limited ...

• Land: infantry weapon simulators

  Less Than Lethal Weapon Simulators

  Meggitt produces wireless simulators for the X26 Taser and chemical spray less-lethal weapons. These accessories are supported with specialised courseware.

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  Hyper-Cam

  The Hyper-Cam is a passive IR hyperspectral imaging system that combines high spatial and spectral resolution. It provides real-time radiometrically calibrated data for gas and ...

• Military UAS - micro

  PD-100 Black Hornet

  The PD-100 Black Hornet personal reconnaissance system (PRS) is designed for dismounted close-combat soldiers, providing them with an immediate reconnaissance capability with minimal increase in ...

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  HD-IR

  HD-IR high-resolution cameras have high sensitivity for surveillance and airborne mapping applications. The camera features a four-position filter wheel, 1.3MP spatial resolution and an IP67-certified ...

• EO/IR systems

  StormCaster-DX

  Unveiled at Modern Day Marine 2022, the Teledyne FLIR StormCaster-DX is a multi-role, low-SWaP laser target designator (LTD) payload designed to affect the STANAG-compliant terminal ...

• Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

  SWIR Components – FPAs and Sensor Assemblies

  FLIR Systems produces COTS staring focal plane arrays (FPAs) and sensor assemblies based on the company’s InGaAs detectors and integrated circuit technology. FLIR FPAs and ...

• EO/IR systems

  Star SAFIRE III

  The Star SAFIRE III was a military-qualified COTS multipurpose and gyro-stabilised airborne platform carrying seven payloads. Manufactured by Teledyne FLIR, the now out-of-production system featured internal navigation, ...

• Loitering munitions, Military UAS - mini

  Rogue 1

  Unveiled in May 2024, the Rogue 1 is a rotary-wing quadcopter UAV from Teledyne FLIR. The drone can be equipped with an explosively formed penetrator (EFP), ...

• Military UAS - micro

  Black Hornet 3

  The Black Hornet 3 is the next generation of the PD-100 Black Hornet, the world’s smallest nano-UAS. This new model of the Black Hornet provides ...