Air Warfare

Turkish Air Force tanker modernisation effort completed ahead of schedule

2nd February 2023

US contractor Field Aerospace has finished upgrading the Turkish Air Force's Boeing KC-135R tanker fleet flight decks to Block 45 configuration.

Uncrewed Vehicles

General Atomics' Eaglet air-launched effect soars in first flight

1st February 2023

The Eaglet air-launched effect can be deployed from other UAS, helicopters and ground vehicles.

Digital Battlespace

Lockheed Martin satellite with military potential rolls out for 2023 maiden launch

1st February 2023

The low-cost LM 400 satellite bus is customisable for multiple applications and supports the Pentagon's Modular Open Systems Architecture for defence missions.

Training

Aeralis and AirTanker partner to explore fast jet pilot training

31st January 2023

The MoU signed between Aeralis and AirTanker will assess upcoming contracts in military flying training and also defence operational training and combat air support roles.

Defence Notes

Airbus to define next generation of European military helicopters

31st January 2023

Airbus Helicopters has been selected to coordinate a European R&D programme looking at military rotorcraft operational needs post-2030, and is also leading on a study for a defence collaborative cloud.

Air Warfare

HAWC missile completes flight trials as focus turns to maturing hypersonic technology

31st January 2023

Completion of HAWC flight testing means the US has two viable hypersonic missile designs that can be matured into future programmes of record.

Fighter - multirole

JAS 39E/F Gripen (Brazil)

In 2016, Gripen’s Project and Development Center was opened in Sao Paulo to allow Sweedish and Brazillian engineers to work together in the Gripen development ...

Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

Hermes 900 (Brazil)

Programme Background First Batch (2014) In 2014, Elbit reported it was supplying the Hermes 900 to the Brazilian Air Force (FAB). The UAS was equipped with ...

Transport/tanker aircraft

KC-390 (Brazil)

Programme Background Requirement The aircraft deliveries were scheduled to start by the end of 2016 and continue over a period of ten years. However,  the first ...

Transport/tanker aircraft

KC-390 - Portugal

Embraer says that the aircraft fully meets the requirements of the Portuguese air force to be able to perform different types of military and civilian ...

Light attack, Trainer

A-29 Philippines

The aircraft will be deployed for close air support (CAS), light attack, surveillance, air-to-air interception and counterinsurgency (COIN) missions. On three previous occasions over the ...

Sealift/replenishment vessels

Polar Support Vessel (Brazil)

Programme Background In June 2020, the Brazilian Navy released a Request for Proposal (RfP) to procure a new Antarctic vessel to be manufactured in Brazil. The force ...

Military helicopters - attack, Military helicopters - multirole

Mi-35M Replacement (Brazil)

Programme Background The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) High Command sprung a surprise on 10 February 2022 when it issued a document stating that its fleet ...

APCs/IFVs - 8x8

VBC Cav-MSR (Brazil)

Programme Background Purpose The Brazilian Army's mechanised cavalry regiments are believed to operate approximately 400 EE-9 Cascavel 6x6 fire support vehicles manufactured by the now-defunct ...

Corvettes

Tamandaré Class (Multi-Purpose Corvettes)

Programme BackgroundThe Brazilian defence ministry is in the process of procuring four multi-role corvettes based on the German MEKO A100 design for the Brazilian Navy's ...

APCs/IFVs - 4x4

JLTV (Brazil - 1st Batch)

Programme Background Under its PROADSUMUS programme, the Brazilian Marine Corps is procuring new equipment to support its deployment in expeditionary operations. One of the new ...

APCs/IFVs - 6x6

VBTP-MR Guarani

Programme Background Part of the Brazilian Army's New Armoured Wheeled Vehicle Family (NFBR), the VBTP-MR platform is to be manufactured in several versions including standard ...

APCs/IFVs - 4x4

VBMT-LR (Forecast)

Prior to the LMV's selection in late 2016, several other suppliers had submitted bids for the VBMT-LR programme. These bids included Avibras which offered the ...

APCs/IFVs - 4x4

JLTV (Brazil - 2nd Batch)

Programme Background Under its PROADSUMUS programme, the Brazilian Marine Corps is procuring new equipment to support its deployment in expeditionary operations. One of the new ...

Reconnaissance/patrol vehicles

VBR-MSR Medium Wheeled Armoured Reconnaissance Vehicle

Technical Requirements The Brazilian Army released two documents outlining the technical and operational requirements for the VBR-MR programme in early 2020. These outlined a number ...

Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

Nauru 1000C (Brazil)

Programme Background The Logistics Command (COLOG) of the Brazilian Army purchased three Nauru 1000C UAVs, training, 36-month interested logistics support, two EO/MWIR XSIS 222A gimbals, two ...

Light attack, Trainer

EMB-312 Tucano

The EMB-312 Tucano (Brazilian designation T-27) is a trainer and light attack aircraft developed by Embraer to meet the training requirements of the Brazilian Air ...

Air: air combat simulators

TPTS

Tactical Procedures Training Simulators (TPTS), operating with SWARM software, can be used to provide most core training elements to pilots or offload training tasks from ...

Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

H225M

The medium-weight, 11t-class H225M (formerly known as the EC725) is the latest military Super Puma/Cougar family member. Technical features include a modular design of mechanical ...

Air: AEW/fire control radar

Grifo-346

The Grifo-346 is a combat aircraft X-band radar covering +/-60° in azimuth and elevation and a weight under one kilogram. It can track up to ...

Trainer, Transport

EMB-121 Xingu

The EMB-121 Xingu is a twin-turboprop light transport and advanced multi-engine trainer aircraft developed by Embraer based on the EMB-110 Bandeirante. Its maiden flight was ...

Transport/tanker aircraft

KC-390/C-390 Millennium

The KC-390 is a high-wing, twin-turbofan, T-tail design intended to meet the needs of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) for a tanker/transport aircraft. In April ...

Land: mission management systems

Arkhe Mission & Combat

Launched in 2017, Atech's Arkhe Mission & Combat solutions offer a variety of solutions enabling operator to conduct missions from planning to execution and debriefing. It ...

Fighter - multirole

JAS 39E/F Gripen

The Saab JAS 39E/F Gripen is a multirole fighter aircraft developed from earlier Gripen models and the Gripen NG. The latest version was selected by Brazil ...

Fighter - air superiority

F-5E/F Tiger II

The F-5E (single-seat)/F (twin-seat) Tiger II is an air superiority fighter developed by Northrop Grumman based on the original F-5 Freedom Fighter. Production of the ...

Air: Electronic Attack - Jamming, Air: Electronic Attack - Pod

Sky Shield

The Sky Shield RF pod  jammer can perform simultaneous jamming against multiple, diverse threats and can equip both small and large platforms. Simultaneous jamming is ...

Land: air defence radar

Saber M60

The Saber M60 is a low-altitude air-defence radar developed by the Brazilian Army's CTEx (Army Technology Centre) in collaboration with Bradar, part of Embraer Defence ...

Guided munitions

SMKB

The Smart-MK-Bomb, or the SMKB, is a precision guidance kit designed to turn Mk 82 and Mk 83 bombs into guided munitions.

Trainer

Phenom 100

Phenom 100 is a very light jet originally developed for single owner-pilot operation but later gained popularity as a jet trainer aircraft. The platform first ...

Simulator Support Services

Elbit Systems provides simulator support services such as contractor logistics support, training, manuals and spare parts. The latest integrated data environment is employed for visibility ...

Light attack, Trainer

EMB-314 Super Tucano

The EMB-314 (also designated A-29) Super Tucano turboprop aircraft includes single- and two-seat variants. The former is designed for light attack and COIN missions, while ...