• Air Warfare

  CH-47 Chinook: why the iconic helicopter design is still a heavy-lift contender (updated 2026)

  26th March 2026

  From its emergence as a ground-breaking design in the 1950s to its widespread deployment in diverse operations worldwide, the Chinook continues to leave an indelible mark on the aviation landscape. Shephard sums up the helicopter’s latest developments.

• Air Warfare

  Singapore Airshow 2026: Boeing eyes $65 billion Asia-Pacific market despite Indonesia F-15 halt

  3rd February 2026

  With a growing customer list and portfolio expansion in the region, the company has said that it has a strong ongoing commitment to Asia-Pacific.

• Air Warfare

  A new shape in the sky? Mapping out the F-47’s configuration

  3rd July 2026

  As images of what might be an F-47 prototype or proof-of-concept vehicle emerge from the Nevada desert, what do they tell us about the aircraft’s capabilities and enabling technologies?

• Air Warfare

  US Army order for CH-47F Block II aircraft takes total contracted to 18 in rapid fielding effort

  22nd October 2025

  Boeing has delivered six Chinook CH-47F Block II production helicopters to the US Army, with the helicopters now undergoing a series of evaluations to demonstrate their enhanced capabilities. The company is working with the army on a path forward for Lot 6.

• Land Warfare

  US Army pursues 600 ISV-Hs to boost mobility and sustainment for manoeuvre brigades

  20th April 2026

  The ISV-H is likely to feature commercial solutions and advanced technologies while providing mobility, transportability and onboard and exportable power to support tactical operations.

• Land Warfare

  Eurosatory 2026: IDV expands with new Viking and CL2X UGV

  18th June 2026

  At Eurosatory 2026, uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs) are front and centre of IDV’s display, with a new variant of the Viking and the new CL2X on show.

• Air Warfare

  What does the FY2027 US budget signal for the country’s future airpower plans?

  16th April 2026

  The record-breaking defence budget request focuses on bolstering some core next-generation aircraft programmes across each domain, although questions remain on the US's commitment to some key defence programmes.

• Air Warfare

  Boeing prepared to go fast on CxR uncrewed tiltrotor concept

  3rd November 2025

  The Collaborative Transformational Rotorcraft is designed with the potential to meet a range of mission requirements, from reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition to contested logistics.

• Land Warfare

  AUSA 2025: US forces test Global Ordnance Scorpion Light mobile mortar system

  13th October 2025

  Following its participation in a live-fire event with the US Marine Corps, the Global Ordnance Scorpion Light 81mm mobile mortar system will now be tested by the US Army.

• Air Warfare

  Dormant helicopter programmes in Africa and Asia present opportunities

  31st March 2026

  Growing capability gaps caused by ageing Soviet-era platforms in Africa and Asia are creating opportunities, as disrupted supply chains and sanctions open the door for Western manufacturers to expand into these markets.

• Naval Warfare

  UK’s Type 31 frigate balances cost pressure with long-term export ambition

  24th June 2026

  The UK shipbuilder’s full-year results to the end of March revealed the impact of the £140 million charge linked to design changes and rework on the Royal Navy’s Type 31 frigate programme.

• Naval Warfare

  US Navy seeks new sensors for the CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter

  10th December 2025

  The US Navy intends to publish a draft request for proposals in Q2 2026 and conduct an open competition for the supply of new electro-optical and infrared capabilities for the CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter.

• Land Warfare

  Swiss Army still awaits new artillery contract to replace M109 howitzers

  6th March 2026

  More than a year after selecting the KNDS Artillery Gun Module mounted on the Piranha IV 8x8 as its next artillery system, Switzerland is still awaiting the contract that will deliver the guns.

• Air Warfare

  UH-60M Black Hawk: export demand underpins $13 billion market opportunity

  19th May 2026

  The UH-60M is the latest variant of the UH-60, a workhorse multirole helicopter that continues to attract further orders from across the globe. With further modernisation upgrades underway, the platform is expected to remain in operation until 2050.

• Air Warfare

  Boeing’s F-47 expected to fly by 2028, says USAF Chief of Staff

  23rd September 2025

  The sixth-generation aircraft was previously targeted to fly during President Trump’s administration, with this date the first insight into the US Air Force’s plans to field the aircraft.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  CH-47 [United Arab Emirates]

  Programme Background Ahead of Trump's 2025 Middle East tour, the State Department approved a possible FMS to the UAE for six CH-47 Block II Chinook ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  Heavy-lift Helicopter STH [Germany]

  Programme Background The German government issued a tender in March 2019 for the procurement of heavy-lift helicopters under the Schwerer Transporthubschrauber (STH) program, 60 units are ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  CH-47ER Chinook [UK]

  Background Formally known as the Chinook Capability Sustainment Program the UK is planning to replace its 14 oldest CH-47s with 14 new-build CH-47F (ER). The ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  Heavy Lift Helicopter [Philippines]

  Programme Background Procurement from Russia In November 2021, Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana confirmed that a contract had been signed to acquire 16 Mi-171 heavy ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  CH-47J [Japan]

  Programme Background Kawasaki Heavy Industries secured a 71.4 billion yen ($460 million) contract to provide the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) with five CH-47J helicopters. ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  CH-47F Chinook (Singapore)

  Programme Background In July 2020, photos have emerged on the internet of the first Boeing CH-47F Chinook destined for the Republic of Singapore Air Force ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  CH-47F Chinook [Brazil]

  Programme Background  In 2014, Boeing announced that they had been in talks with the Brazilian Army regarding the potential sale of CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters. ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  CH-47F CHINOOK [USA]

  Programme Background As the Army's only heavy-lift helicopter, the CH-47F Improved Cargo helicopter is an essential component of the Army's Multi-Domain Battle framework. The CH-47F ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  MH-47 Chinook

  The US DoD report, Enhancing Security and Stability In Afghanistan, published in December 2019 doesn't disclose the number of Chinook platforms but media sources suggest ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  CH-47JA [Japan]

  Programme Background  Kawasaki Heavy Industries received an order from the Japanese government for 12 CH-47JA helicopters for the Japanese Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF). The CH-47JA is ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  CH-53K (Israel)

  Programme Background The Israeli Air Force (IAF) plans to buy around 18 heavy-lift helicopters to form a squadron that replaces its current CH-53 Yasur helicopters that ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  CH-47D Replacement [Thailand]

  Programme Background The RTA divested its six Boeing CH-47D Chinooks after failing to sell the 25-year-old aircraft on the second-hand market. Thailand found Chinook maintenance ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  CH-53K (Options) [Israel]

  Programme Background The Israeli Air Force (IAF) plans to buy around 18 heavy-lift helicopters to form a squadron that replaces its current CH-53 Yasur helicopters that ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  CH-47F [Egypt]

  Programme Background Egypt has operated the CH-47D heavy lift helicopter since the 1990s and is now seeking to replace them with new-build CH-47Fs. Approval for ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  Heavy Lift Helicopter II [South Korea]

  Programme Background Requirement The Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) operates 43 CH-47D Chinook helicopters, most of which are over 30 years old and in need ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Self-propelled rocket launchers

  C-Lynx

  Unveiled in May 2017, the C-Lynx is a light weight multiple rocket launcher developed for use with the 122mm ACCULAR rocket, the latest member of ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  CH-47F/MH-47G Chinook

  The CH-47F is the current production model of Boeing's CH-47. Initially fielded in 2007, the F model provides increased situational awareness through the Common Avionics ...

• Air: Integrated Defensive Systems

  All-in-Small

  The All-in-Small is a Self-Protection System (SPS) manufactured by Elbit Systems and designed for use in military and commercial fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. It is marketed as ...

• Air: helicopter flight simulators

  LSMP

  US Army Simulation, Training and Instrumentation Command selected Rockwell Collins to perform the LIFT Simulator Modernization Program (LSMP) delivery order under the STRI Omnibus Contract. ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  CH-47D

  The CH-47D Chinook is a twin-engine, tandem-rotor, heavy-lift transport helicopter that emerged from a US Army contract placed in 1976 to remanufacture the CH-47A/B/C. The ...

• Air: helicopter flight simulators

  UK MSHATF

  The Medium Support Helicopter Aircrew Training Facility (MSHATF) opened for training at RAF Benson, England in July 1999. It provides training services to personnel from ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Pars 4x4

  The Pars 4x4 is an amphibious 4x4 developed by FNSS to meet the TurkishLand Forces' requirement for a wheeled antitank vehicle. It has a power-to-weight ...

• Helicopter engines

  T55

  The T55-GA-714A is a turboshaft in the 13kg/s airflow size class. Honeywell has produced more than 6,000 T55-series engines for military and civil use, and ...

• Air: Integrated Defensive Systems

  AN/AAR-57 CMWS

  BAE Systems’ AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) provides missile warning and hostile fire detection for rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft. The CMWS’ ensemble includes the Advanced Threat ...

• Air: Electronic Attack - Pod

  Universal DIRCM Pod

  Terma provides universal pods for Directed IR Countermeasures (DIRCM) installations as a role-fit solution for a range of fixed- and rotary-wing platforms. The pods house ...

• Air: Integrated cockpit systems

  Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS)

  Developed by Collins Aerospace, the Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) is based on the Flight2 open system architecture design and includes an advanced hardware, software ...

• LTVs - 4x4

  Rapid Intervention Vehicle

  At the February 2017 IDEX exhibition, Nimr formally unveiled its 4x4 Rapid Intervention Vehicle (RIV), which it is offering to meet a UAE requirement for ...

• Air: helicopter flight simulators

  NCM3

  The Non-Rated Crewmember Manned Module (NCM3) is the first integrated crewmember virtual simulator for the rear portion of the CH-47 Chinook and UH-60 Black Hawk ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Mungo

  KMW developed the Mungo family to meet a requirement from the German Army for a protected multipurpose air-portable vehicle that could be carried by a ...

• EO/IR systems

  AN/ZSQ-2

  The AN/ZSQ-2 is a multi-sensor EO/IR turreted system that contains three imaging sensors. A day colour TV, IR camera with 3-5µm, InSb, 480x640px and staring ...