• Naval Warfare

  Steel cutting commences for USCGC Argus

  13th February 2019

  Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) has cut first steel for the US Coast Guard’s first Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC), Argus, at its facility in Panama City, …

• Military Logistics

  C-5 Super Galaxy gets 3D printed parts

  13th February 2019

  The US Air Force has had 17 3D printed parts in both polymer and metal installed on a C-5 Super Galaxy transport aircraft, the air …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Avalon 2019: Seeds sown for Team Reaper in Australia

  1st March 2019

  Team Reaper is preparing for business opportunities as the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) edges closer to buying the MQ-9 Reaper armed MALE platform from …

• Defence Notes

  SO/LIC 2019: US DoD unveils prototyping guide

  7th February 2019

  The US DoD, which has been pushing to develop more equipment prototypes to cut through its acquisition bureaucracy and speed up modernisation, has put together …

• Defence Notes

  Embraer sells 12 military aircraft to Nigeria

  7th February 2019

  Brazil's aircraft maker Embraer said on 6 February 2019 that it has finalised a contract to sell 12 light attack aircraft to Nigeria's air force, …

• Defence Notes

  Lockheed receives LRASM second production lot

  17th January 2019

  Lockheed Martin has received a $172 million contract from the US Navy and US Air Force for the second production lot of Long Range Anti-Ship …

• Special Operations

  SOF looks to next generation Combatant Craft Heavy

  21st February 2019

  Collaborative efforts focused on assessing the current industrial capability to design a new craft, or modify an existing design, to meet the requirements for the …

• Defence Helicopter

  IDEX 2019: Lebanese Air Force adapts for terrorism fight

  12th February 2019

  Lebanon has had to increase the capabilities of the its armed forces in a bid to stop the rise of terrorism in the country, according …

• Defence Notes

  Insight: How China’s military machine still runs on Soviet technology

  5th February 2019

  Ever since it first flew in January 2011, the J-20 fighter has been the poster child for China’s massive military build-up. The aircraft’s first flight, …

• Special Operations

  JSOU looks to yoga and meditation

  12th February 2019

  Readiness and resilience of special operations forces could be extended through increased emphasis on yoga and meditation, a Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) report has …

• Defence Notes

  India 'air strikes' send Pakistan tensions surging

  27th February 2019

  India said on 26 February 2019 it had launched air strikes against militant camps in Pakistan's territory, triggering international concern over a dangerous escalation between …

• Digital Battlespace

  Avionics refresh for RC-26B

  7th February 2019

  Elbit Systems of America has received an initial $5 million contract from Support Systems Associates to provide an avionics refresh for the US Air National …

• Land Warfare

  Leonardo DRS to expand in Missouri

  12th February 2019

  Leonardo DRS is set to build a new engineering, development and light manufacturing facility in Bridgeton, Missouri, to accommodate its growing land systems business, the …

• Naval Warfare

  USS Gerald R Ford receives first AWE

  21st January 2019

  The US Navy’s new aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R Ford, has received its first advanced weapons elevator (AWE), the navy announced on 16 January. AWE …

• Digital Battlespace

  India requests LAIRCM SPS

  12th February 2019

  The US State Department has made a determination approving a potential foreign military sale of Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) Self-Protection Suites (SPS) to India, …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Maritime patrol

  P-8A Poseidon [US]

  Programme Background The P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) system is a heavily modified and militarized derivative of Boeing's 737-800 ERX commercial aircraft. The P-8A is ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  CH-53K [USA]

  Programme Background The USMC is replacing its ageing CH-53E helicopters with the CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter. Designed as an evolution of the CH-53E, the CH-53K is ...

• Fighter - naval

  F-35B (FY2026-2031) [USA]

  Background According to U.S. budget documents throughout the decade, the U.S. Navy intends to acquire 324 F-35B STOVL aircraft. Prior to 2020, the U.S. Navy ...

• Maritime patrol

  P-8A Poseidon [UK]

  Programme Background In July 2016, the UK government announced that it had ordered nine aircraft for service with the RAF. Under this frame, in January ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Constellation Class - FFG(X) (11-20)

  The US Navy ran the Next Generational Future Guided Missile Frigate (FFG X) programme to build a replacement for the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates, the ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Constellation Class - FFG(X) (11-20)

  The US Navy ran the Next Generational Future Guided Missile Frigate (FFG X) programme to build a replacement for the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates, the ...

• Military helicopters - maritime, Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  CH-53K - US Navy

  Background The Marine Corps is replacing its aging CH-53E helicopters with the CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter. Designed as an evolution of the CH-53E, the CH-53K is ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | F-35B STOVL Future Procurement - US Navy

  The US Navy is planning to order 115 F-35B STOVLs between FY2026 and FY2031 under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The purchase is estimated ...

• Data links

  Data links | F-35B STOVL Future Procurement - US Navy

  The US Navy is planning to order 115 F-35B STOVLs between FY2026 and FY2031 under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The purchase is estimated ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | F-35B STOVL Future Procurement - US Navy

  The US Navy is planning to order 115 F-35B STOVLs between FY2026 and FY2031 under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The purchase is estimated ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | F-35B STOVL Future Procurement - US Navy

  The US Navy is planning to order 115 F-35B STOVLs between FY2026 and FY2031 under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The purchase is estimated ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | F-35B STOVL Future Procurement - US Navy

  The US Navy is planning to order 115 F-35B STOVLs between FY2026 and FY2031 under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The purchase is estimated ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | F-35C Carrier Variant (CV) Future Procurement

  The US Navy is planning to order 130 F-35Cs between FY2026 and FY2030 under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The purchase is estimated be ...

• Data links

  Data links | F-35C Carrier Variant (CV) Future Procurement

  The US Navy is planning to order 130 F-35Cs between FY2026 and FY2030 under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The purchase is estimated be ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | F-35C Carrier Variant (CV) Future Procurement

  The US Navy is planning to order 130 F-35Cs between FY2026 and FY2030 under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The purchase is estimated be ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Maritime patrol

  US-2

  The ShinMaywa US-2 is an amphibious short take-off and landing aircraft used primarily by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) for SAR. 

• Military - USVs

  Voyager

  Voyager is an Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) built by US-based Saildrone. Voyager has been used by the US Navy (USN) and is one of three ...

• Military - UUVs

  Orca

  Orca is an extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicle (XLUUV) developed by Boeing for the US Navy (USN).

• Destroyers

  Kee Lung (Kidd) Class

  The Kee Lung-class consists of four ex-US Kidd-class guided missile destroyers in service with the Republic of China Navy (ROCN). The ships were originally built for ...

• Military - UUVs

  Mission Specialist Defender

  The Mission Specialist Defender is a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) developed by VideoRay, now part of BlueHalo's unmanned maritime systems. The ROV is known ...

• Data links

  GNOMAD US Domestic

  The US domestic version of GNOMAD (see separate entry) is a ruggedised system comprising a satellite antenna and baseband modular chassis that can be installed ...

• Military - USVs

  Explorer

  Saildrone's Explorer is the smallest of three USVs designed and built by the US-based USV manufacturer Saildrone. The system is used by the US Navy (USN) ...

• EO/IR systems, Sea: ship surveillance and fire control systems

  SeaFLIR 380-HD

  The SeaFLIR 380-HD is a long-range, multispectral surveillance system for surface vessels. Manufactured by Teledyne FLIR, the system combines HD IR, colour or SWIR spectral information. According to ...

• Unguided Medium Calibre Ammunition

  MK266 High Explosive Incendiary with Tracer

  The MK266 High Explosive Incendiary with Tracer is a 30mm medium calibre round manufactured by Northrop Grumman. It is currently in use with the US Navy.

• Military - UUVs

  Snakehead LDUUV

  The Snakehead Large Displacement Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle (LDUUV) is a US Navy (USN) Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle (UUV) designed to be launched from submarine Dry Dock Shelters ...

• Unguided Medium Calibre Ammunition

  XM1198 High Explosive Dual Purpose with Self Destruct (HEDP-SD)

  The XM1198 High Explosive Dual Purpose with Self Destruct (HEDP-SD) is a 30mm medium calibre round manufactured by Northrop Grumman. The US Navy uses the XM1198.

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Integrated Combat System

  The Integrated Combat System (ICS) is a combat management system being developed for the US Navy. The project, currently led by Lockheed Martin, aims to ...

• Unguided Medium Calibre Ammunition

  XM950 Target Practice Round

  The XM950 Target Practice Round is a 30mm medium calibre training round manufactured by Northrop Grumman. The US Navy uses the XM950 for training with its ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Navy Multiband Terminal (NMT)

  The Navy Multiband Terminal is the next-generation maritime military SATCOM for the US Navy and allied nations. The terminal integrates EHF and AEHF systems with ...

• Ship-launched torpedoes, Submarine-launched torpedoes

  Mk-48 Mod 6AT ADCAP

  The Mk-48 ADCAP (Advanced Capability) is the improved version of the Mk-48 family. Development started with the Mk-48 Mod 5 and continues to the present ...