• Defence Notes

  Mattis cancels weekend travel plans as Syria response looms

  10th April 2018

  The US Defense Secretary has cancelled weekend travel plans, a US official said 10 April as the Pentagon works with the White House on a …

• Digital Battlespace

  Post-Ukraine, US looks to boost 'grey-zone' research

  16th April 2018

  Supporting operations in the so-called 'grey zone', the amorphous space between peacetime activities and conventional warfare, has become a more pressing concern since Russia's actions …

• Defence Helicopter

  Bell 407s to support MQ-8 Fire Scout UAS

  23rd March 2018

  Bell Helicopter has received a contract from the US Naval Air Systems Command to provide three Bell 407  helicopters to support MQ-8 Fire Scout UAS …

• Land Warfare

  Orbital ATK receives orders for small-calibre ammo

  12th April 2018

  Orbital ATK has received orders totalling $115 million from the US Army to produce small-calibre ammunition, the company announced on 10 April. The orders have …

• Naval Warfare

  USS Indianapolis christened

  16th April 2018

  The US Navy’s newest Freedom-variant littoral combat ship (LCS), USS Indianapolis, has been christened in Marinette, Wisconsin. The future USS Indianapolis is designed for operation …

• Military Logistics

  Tyonek to support C-130H RWR upgrade

  17th April 2018

  Tyonek Services will support SRC in modifying C-130H model aircraft with integration of the updated all-digital AN/ALR-69A (V) radar warning receiver. SRC is the prime …

• Defence Helicopter

  US agrees guided missile sale to Qatar

  9th April 2018

  The United States approved a deal to sell Qatar $300 million in guided missiles on 9 April, on the eve of President Donald Trump's White …

• Special Operations

  US Army conducts GMV 1.1 airdrop tests

  10th April 2018

  The US Army is carrying out low-velocity airdrop testing of the Ground Mobility Vehicle 1.1 (GMV 1.1) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the army announced …

• Land Warfare

  British Army inches closer to new multi-role vehicles

  11th April 2018

  The UK’s Multi-Role Vehicle Protected (MRV-P) has moved forward as the British government is set to finalise negotiations with the US DoD. MRV-P is divided …

• Naval Warfare

  Insight: Calls to increase the US Navy’s silent service

  22nd March 2018

  The US Navy is at a crossroads concerning its undersea forces which has led to calls from Congress to increase the submarine fleet, provide life …

• Naval Warfare

  USCG’s MH-60T SLEP moves to next phase

  22nd March 2018

  The US Coast Guard’s (USCG) MH-60T Jayhawk Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) has received approval from the US Department of Homeland Security to proceed to …

• Naval Warfare

  Ocean waves farewell to UK Royal Navy service

  27th March 2018

  The UK Royal Navy’s former helicopter carrier HMS Ocean was decommissioned in a ceremony at Devonport naval base on 27 March, bringing an end to 20 …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  DSA 2018: Chinese company adds sparkle to UAVs

  20th April 2018

  Sparkle Tech exhibited its newest UAV, the Tiger Shark, at DSA 2018 in Kuala Lumpur. This Chinese company, headquartered in Hong Kong, has been manufacturing …

• Defence Notes

  Pentagon denies Mattis wanted congress backed Syria strike

  18th April 2018

  The Pentagon has denied a report that President Donald Trump rebuffed Defense Secretary Jim Mattis after the Washington chief urged him to seek congressional approval …

• Defence Notes

  Germany says Syria did not eradicate chemical arsenal

  12th April 2018

  German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on 12 April that an alleged toxic gas attack blamed on Damascus showed that Syrian President Bashar al Assad's regime …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Maritime patrol

  P-8A POSEIDON [USA]

  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 ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | 40PB Flight II [USN]

  The US Navy has selected Metal Shark's Defiant 40 patrol boat design as a replacement for the fleet of force protection boats currently in use ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | 40PB Flight II [USN]

  The US Navy has selected Metal Shark's Defiant 40 patrol boat design as a replacement for the fleet of force protection boats currently in use ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | T-AOT (CONSOL tanker) [USN]

  The US Navy is procuring five tankers to support the transportation and distribution of bulk petroleum products in support of U.S. Navy and joint force operations. They ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | T-AOT (CONSOL tanker) [USN]

  The US Navy is procuring five tankers to support the transportation and distribution of bulk petroleum products in support of U.S. Navy and joint force operations. They ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• Sealift/replenishment vessels

  T-AOT (CONSOL tanker) [USN]

  Background The US Navy is procuring ten tankers to support the transportation and distribution of bulk petroleum products in support of U.S. Navy and joint ...

• 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 ...

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 ...

• Air: EO/IR – Jamming Systems

  AN/AAQ-45

  Leonardo’s AN/AAQ-45 Distributed Aperture Infrared Countermeasures is designed to equip rotorcraft. The system is being installed on Sikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawk medium-lift utility helicopters used ...