• Naval Warfare

  US declares IOC for special operations mini-sub

  25th July 2023

  Lockheed Martin's Dry Combat Submersible (DCS) achieves Initial Operational Capability with US Special Operations Command. This vehicle enables covert underwater missions, transforming undersea warfare for special operators.

• Land Warfare

  USMC experiments with Mission Master UGVs in Australia

  6th August 2023

  The USMC trialled Mission Master UGVs during the recent Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023 in Australia.

• Defence Notes

  Is the Pentagon ready to confront biological threats?

  4th September 2023

  The Pentagon recently released its Biodefense Posture Review and has also requested over $1 billion in its FY2024 budget proposal to fund capabilities and readiness to face chemical and biological threats.

• Air Warfare

  Insight: What does the future hold for the Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft?

  11th September 2023

  The Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 3A has been adopted by Middle Eastern air forces as well as the European partner nations. Shephard Defence Insight analyses its next-generation radar, cockpit technology and future upgrade plans.

• Naval Warfare

  Abrams M1E3 will be ‘dramatically different’ than the M1A2 V4

  5th October 2023

  The M1E3 version has been designed to be a more survivable, lighter tank, enhancing the efficacy and manoeuvrability of US Army armoured brigade combat teams.

• Land Warfare

  Indonesia receives Bushmasters donated by Australia

  1st September 2023

  Indonesia has received 15 second-hand Bushmaster vehicles from Australia.

• Naval Warfare

  Why the durable MEKO warship design remains popular with navies

  8th September 2023

  The MEKO design from ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) can be found in many navies around the world and the number of countries that are purchasing MEKO ships is growing. Shephard provides an overview of the latest MEKO offerings and how this type of vessel has remained successful on the international markets over the decades.

• Training

  International forces collaborate in Exercise Ulchi to enhance Northeast Asia's security

  22nd August 2023

  Exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield 23 underscores international cooperation in strengthening defence capabilities, as US and South Korean military units and several UN Command member states engage in training.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Turkish defence industry expands drone portfolio with new tactical UAVs

  6th September 2023

  Turkish defence and aerospace company ESEN recently opened its doors to Turkish media and unveiled two brand new UAVs.  The first is the Gokhun tactical …

• Air Warfare

  China and Iran look beyond Russian market for UAS and precision weapon exports

  6th September 2023

  Chinese and Iranian firms unveiled new UAS and smart munitions at Army-2023, claiming they reflected lessons from the Russo-Ukrainian conflict and were attracting international interest.

• Naval Warfare

  BAE Systems to design next-gen SeaSparrow missile launch system

  7th July 2023

  BAE Systems has been awarded a $37 million contract to develop the Next Generation Evolved SeaSparrow Missile Launch System (NGELS), providing the USN and allied countries with an enhanced ship self-defence capability.

• Training

  US Navy upgrades its red air aggressor F-16 Vipers

  4th August 2023

  Amentum will maintain US Navy adversary F-16 aircraft and provide full system maintenance and supply chain support to ensure seamless flight operations in all naval bases.

• Naval Warfare

  US commissions latest Littoral Combat Ship, as Austal execs face fraud charges

  3rd April 2023

  On April 1, the USN commissioned the latest Austal USA-built Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32), shortly after a federal grand jury indictment charging three Alabama men with orchestrating an accounting fraud scheme at the shipbuilder.

• Digital Battlespace

  Improving integration for smarter operations

  6th September 2023

  Military operations can be improved through the digitisation of the intelligence and operational cycles.

• Training

  War may enter new phase as US outlines plans to train Ukrainians to operate F-16 jets

  25th August 2023

  The US has outlined plans to provide training to Ukrainian pilots and ground support personnel for F-16 fighter jets, taking Ukraine's war against invading Russian forces to the next level in the medium term.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• 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 ...

• Landing platform docks/dock landing ships

  Littoral Strike Ships (LSS)

  Programme Background Original Plan: Procurment In February 2019, the then-UK Secretary of State for Defence, Gavin Williamson, announced an intention to establish two' littoral strike ...

• Landing platform docks/dock landing ships

  Multi-Role Support Ship (MRSS) (3) [Malaysia]

  Programme Background Requirements The Royal Malaysian Navy are in the process of a fleet transformation plan known as the 15 to 5 Transformation Plan, which ...

• Frigates

  Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)

  Programme Background The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) programme was developed in 2003 as a cheap and fast way to increase the size of the fleet ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | LMS Batch II (5-7) [Malaysia]

  The Royal Malaysia Navy (RMN) plans to acquire eight Littoral Mission Ships (LMS). In line with the plan, it was assumed the RMN would acquire ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | LMS Batch II (5-7) [Malaysia]

  The Royal Malaysia Navy (RMN) plans to acquire eight Littoral Mission Ships (LMS). In line with the plan, it was assumed the RMN would acquire ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Littoral Combat Ships [Egypt]

  In December 2022, Sky News Arabia revealed that, according to a spokesperson of the US DoD, Washington had authorised the sale/transfer of Littoral Combat Ships ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Littoral Combat Ships [Egypt]

  In December 2022, Sky News Arabia revealed that, according to a spokesperson of the US DoD, Washington had authorised the sale/transfer of Littoral Combat Ships ...

• Landing platform docks/dock landing ships

  Multi-Role Support Ship (MRSS) [UK]

  Programme Background Requirements According to the UK MoD's March 2021 Defence Command Paper, entitled 'Defence in a Competitive Age', the RN will invest in six ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Littoral Manoeuvre Vessel - Heavy (Project Land 8710 Phase 2) [Australia]

  Under Project Land 8710 Phase 2, Australia is seeking to acquire an undisclosed number of Littoral Manoeuvre Vessels to replace the Balikpapan-class. According to ADF ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Littoral Manoeuvre Vessel - Heavy (Project Land 8710 Phase 2) [Australia]

  Under Project Land 8710 Phase 2, Australia is seeking to acquire an undisclosed number of Littoral Manoeuvre Vessels to replace the Balikpapan-class. According to ADF ...

• Frigates

  Frigate Procurement (2) [Thailand]

  Programme Background Requirements The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) is expected to order a second frigate following the procurement of the DW3000F in 2013. Timeline The RTN ...

• Patrol boats

  Shaldag Mk V [Israel]

  Programme Background A press release from Israel Shipyards on 7 July 2021 announced the company would be supplying the Israeli Navy with four Shaldag Mk ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | LPDs/OPVs Replacement Programme [Netherlands]

  The RNLN is planning to build two new Landing Platform Dock (LPDs) to enhance its amphibious capabilities and replace its ageing LPDs Rotterdam and Johan ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• 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 ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  COMBATSS-21

  Produced by Lockheed Martin, the Littoral Combat Ship Component Based Total Ship System – 21st Century (COMBATSS-21) is a modular, scalable open combat management system that can be ...

• Military - UUVs

  RMMV

  The Remote Multi-Mission Vehicle (RMMV) was a semi-submersible AUV developed as part of the AN/WLD-1(V) Remote Minehunting System (RMS) for the USN’s Littoral Combat Ship ...

• Military - USVs

  USSV-HTF

  The US Office of Naval Research previously used the Unmanned Sea Surface Vehicle-High Tow Force (USSV-HTF) to test various technological features that could be incorporated ...

• EO/IR systems

  COBRA

  The Coastal Battlefield Reconnaissance and Analysis (COBRA) system was part of Northrop Grumman's airborne mine countermeasures (AMCM) product line. It was adopted as the AN/DVS-1 ...

• Marine engines

  MTU 4000

  The MTU Series 4000 is manufactured by Rolls-Royce UK. The engine consists of a 90° V cylinder configuration and has a displacement/cylinder capacity of 4.77 ...

• Corvettes

  Littoral Mission Ship (LMS 92)

  Based on the C92 corvette design, the Littoral Mission Ship (LMS) 92 has been developed by Dearsan shipyard to meet the requirements of the Malaysian LMS ...

• Sea: naval fire control radar

  TMX/EO

  The TMX/EO three-axis tracking module is equipped with X-band radar and TV camera, IR camera and laser rangefinder, for precision measurement of aerial, naval and ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  MQ-8C Fire Scout

  The MQ-8C is a newer version of the Fire Scout and is based on a Bell 407 commercial helicopter. It offers a greater range, endurance and ...

• Data links

  T-Series Model S

  Model S is a shipboard, high-bandwidth, full-duplex ground terminal for communication with CDL airborne-configured systems. The terminal is software-configurable and supports the standard CDL waveform, ...

• Sea: naval surveillance radar

  TRS-4D

  The TRS-4D is a three-dimensional multi-functional naval surveillance radar produced by German manufacturer Hensoldt. The radar is primarily designed for surveillance and target acquisition. The ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  9LV Combat Management System

  Developed by Saab, the 9LV CMS provides scalable options for naval combat systems, and has been delivered on more than 230 ships – from small patrol ...

• Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

  Combattante FS65

  The Combattante FS65 is a Fast Attack Long Range Craft developed by CMN. The ship can be armed with a 76mm naval gun, SAM systems, ...

• Frigates

  DW3000

  The Royal Thai Navy ordered a DW3000F design multipurpose frigate from South Korea's Hanwha Ocean based on the Daegu-class frigate in service with the Republic ...

• Frigates

  HCX-21

  South Korean company Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) has unveiled the HCX-21, a trimaran vessel designed for Navies and Coast Guards. The lightweight future surface combatant ...