• Defence Notes

  USAF selects Cubic P5CTS/TCTS

  3rd February 2012

  Cubic has been awarded a new contract for its P5 Combat Training System/Tactical Combat Training System (P5CTS/TCTS) by the US Air Force Range Instrumentation Systems …

• Defence Helicopter

  Whales inspire rotor blade efficiency study

  2nd February 2012

  After studying humpback whales, scientists working for the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) have discovered and flight tested a way of making helicopters more manoeuvrable, it …

• Land Warfare

  Qinetiq selected to provide GCV transmission system

  2nd February 2012

  The BAE Systems-Northrop Grumman team for the US Army’s Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV) programme has selected Qinetiq to provide its E-X-Drive transmission as the ‘key …

• Digital Battlespace

  LM and Raytheon tie up for USN EW contract

  2nd February 2012

  Lockheed Martin has announced that it is teaming with Raytheon to compete for the US Navy’s electronic attack anti-ship missile requirement. In a statement released …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  WFS Defense, Allen-Vanguard to collaborate for WURFR

  31st January 2012

  WFS Defense has announced that it will collaborate with Allen-Vanguard on providing solutions for defeating terrorist/extremist threats, to develop and demonstrate the world's first Wireless …

• Land Warfare

  Less-lethal smart bullets unveiled

  30th January 2012

  SmartRounds Technology (SRT) has unveiled a range of new SmartRounds bullets, which are designed to provide a less-lethal, more intelligent alternative to firearms, while still …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Northrop Grumman, US Navy test UCAS refuelling

  27th January 2012

  Northrop Grumman and the US Navy successfully completed a series of flight tests to demonstrate technology that could help extend the operating range and flight …

• Defence Helicopter

  EC135 selected for Boeing, Thales ADF bid

  27th January 2012

  The Eurocopter EC135 has been selected as the preferred platform for Boeing and Thales bid for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Project AIR 9000 Phase …

• Digital Battlespace

  AFCEA West 2012: LGS Innovations eyes military market

  27th January 2012

  LGS Innovations is looking to break into the military market following the success of its Rapidly Deployed Network (RDN) during the Network Integration Exercise (NIE) …

• Digital Battlespace

  AFCEA West 2012: Action urged over cyber security

  27th January 2012

  An industry expert has emphasised the importance of a universal sense of responsibility when it comes to enhancing cyber security. Speaking to Shephard during the …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  AFCEA West 2012: Hybrid aerostat nears completion

  27th January 2012

  Sofcoast's efforts to develop the Small Tactical Hybrid Aerostat are coming to fruition, with the CEO of the company predicting it is near completion. John …

• Digital Battlespace

  AFCEA West 2012: TCS launches ruggedised solid state drives

  26th January 2012

  TeleCommunication Systems (TCS) has launched the new Galatea highly ruggedised solid state drive (SSD) for mass data storage. Speaking to Shephard at the AFCEA West …

• Digital Battlespace

  AFCEA West 2012: Harris set to test system in TNT exercise

  26th January 2012

  Harris' tactical edge networking solution is set to participate in a Tactical Networking Topology (TNT) exercise in Florida in 'the next couple of weeks'. Speaking …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  AFCEA West 2012: L-3 looks at alternative rotary engine development

  26th January 2012

  L-3 Communications is utilising its recent experience conducting taxi trials on a commercial aircraft to demonstrate an electrical drive system to develop a rotary engine …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  US Marine Corps SUAV takes flight

  25th January 2012

  The Integrator UAV is part of the RQ-21A Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (STUAS) Early Operational Capability (EOC) programme that will see the US Marine …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - micro

  eBee Vision [US]

  Background Multiple orders In November 2025, the US Army acquired three eBee Vision systems to enhance training operations at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Germany. A ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Invincible Class (Type 218SG) (5-6) [Singapore]

  In March 2025, the Singapore Ministry of Defence (Mindef) announced it would acquire two more submarines to complement its four Type 218SG Invincible-class submarines. Speaking to ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Invincible Class (Type 218SG) (5-6) [Singapore]

  In March 2025, the Singapore Ministry of Defence (Mindef) announced it would acquire two more submarines to complement its four Type 218SG Invincible-class submarines. Speaking to ...

• Loitering munitions

  Small-Sized Suicide Drones [South Korea]

  Programme Background Drone Ambition As reported by Shephard, South Korea has ambitions to possess a large arsenal of drones. In May 2024, the presidential office ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  Next-Generation Air-Refueling System (NGAS) [USA]

  Background The U.S. Air Force originally planned the KC-Y programme as a follow-on acquisition of an estimated 179 tankers to bridge the gap between the delayed ...

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

  Switch V2 [India]

  Background June 2025 In June 2025, India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced the signing of 13 contracts under the Emergency Procurement (EP) mechanism. The procurements, ...

• LTVs - 4x4

  Wolf 2 (Batch 1) [Germany]

  Background The Wolf 2 was designed by Mercedes-Benz to replace the German Bundeswehr's ageing fleet of Wolf utility vehicles. The Bundeswehr is currently replacing its Wolf ...

• Sealift/replenishment vessels

  Type 707 (1-2) [Germany]

  Programme Background Requirements The German Navy approved an acquisition to start replacing the two ageing Rhön-class (Type 704) class single-hulled tankers, which were constructed in the ...

• LTVs - 4x4

  Wolf 2 (Batch 2) [Germany]

  Background The Wolf 2 was designed by Mercedes-Benz to replace the German Bundeswehr's ageing fleet of Wolf utility vehicles. The Bundeswehr is currently replacing its Wolf ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Indonesian Interim Readiness Submarine Class (IRSC) Programme

  Following the sinking of KRI Nanggala in April 2021, the Indonesia Ministry of Finance (MoF) has granted approval to obtain up to $600 million in foreign loans ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Indonesian Interim Readiness Submarine Class (IRSC) Programme

  Following the sinking of KRI Nanggala in April 2021, the Indonesia Ministry of Finance (MoF) has granted approval to obtain up to $600 million in foreign loans ...

• AEW&C

  GlobalEye [Canada]

  Background Canada and Sweden have been strengthening ties, particularly in defence, as middle powers continue to diversify their relationships due to increasingly strained relations with ...

• APCs/IFVs - tracked

  Puma IFV (Batch 1) [Germany]

  Background The Puma tracked IFV was developed by PSM, a joint venture between KMW and Rheinmetall, to replace the German Army's legacy Marder IFVs. In ...

• AEW&C

  E-7 Wedgetail (737) [UK]

  Programme Background Seeking to replace its six ageing Boeing E-3 Sentry AEW&C;, the British Royal Air Force awarded Boeing a £1.89 billion contract in 2019 covering the ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-46A (USA)

  Programme Background The first five Low Rate Initial Production lots were contracted for a total of 67 aircraft for $10.94 billion. The initial contract signed ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Guided munitions

  LG-155

  Unveiled for the first time at Saha Expo 2024, the LG-155 is a 155 mm artillery round developed by Roketsan. This laser-guided projectile is engineered ...

• Directed energy weapons

  Oerlikon Laser Gun

  Rheinmetall showcased the applications for its High Energy Laser (HEL) guns for the first time at IDEX 2015 in Abu Dhabi. The Oerlikon Laser Gun ...

• Directed energy weapons

  Locust

  BlueHalo's Locust is a laser weapon system. The system delivers a complete kill chain, providing a layered and broadband detection capability that is coupled with electronic ...

• Light machine guns

  LSAT LMG

  Textron Systems Unmanned Systems is developing and maturing a Lightweight Small Arms Technologies (LSAT) family of weapons and ammunition with the US Army that fires ...

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

  Attritable Multirotor First Person View (AM-FPV)

  Unveiled in May 2025, the Attritable Multirotor First Person View (AM-FPV) is a low-cost, rapidly deployable platform for strike and ISR missions, inspired by battlefield lessons from ...

• Land: COMINT and ELINT systems

  MEWS

  The Modular Electronic Warfare System (MEWS) is a land COMINT sensor that was jointly developed by L3 TRL and Qinetiq. Utilising L3 TRL compact receiver ...

• Land: fire control systems

  Oerlikon Skymaster

  Oerlikon Skymaster is the command and control unit of Rheinmetall's Skynex air defence system. The Skymaster is intended to support tactical and operational level air ...

• Land: air defence radar

  X-TAR 3D

  The X-Band Tactical Acquisition Radar 3D (X-TAR 3D) air surveillance and acquisition radar is the newest member of Rheinmetall’s X-TAR family. The fully coherent phased-array ...

• Land: COMINT and ELINT systems

  Smartscan- MEWS

  MEWS (Modular Electronic Warfare System) is a software-driven spectrum surveillance system covering two megahertz to three gigahertz. It is designed to detect, collect and geolocate ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  CM32/33/34 Yunpao

  The CM32 Yunpao (Cloud Leopard) family of 8x8 armoured vehicles has been developed to meet the requirements of the Republic of China Army to replace ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  SBTS

  The Shore-Based Sonar Training System (SBTS), launched in 2016, incorporates technology from the Model 997 Hull/Bow-Mounted Sonar Model 980 ALOFTS system to help support sonar ...

• Subsystems: visual

  Apogée 7

  Apogée 7 is an integrated COTS-based image generation system. It provides functions enhancing overall fixed- or rotary-wing simulation efficiency, image quality and supports large-area realistic ...

• Land: handheld NV devices

  NVS 7 Binocular Series

  Based on the NVS 7-3AG NVG, the NVS 7 Binocular Series uses Gen III auto-gated NV technology and is suitable for defence, marine and SAR ...

• Loitering munitions

  Lumberjack

  The Lumberjack is a one-way attack drone from  Northrop Grumman. The company describes the aircraft as a force multiplier. The drone follows an open systems architecture, ...

• Land: handheld NV devices

  Jaguar

  MKU's Jaguar 14 monoculars and Jaguar 7 binoculars have Gen III technology with military-grade Schott lenses. An automatic bright light cut-off sensor provides protection from ...