Land Warfare

The HF Renaissance – The Evolving Electronic Warfare Threats and the Need for Resilient Waveforms (Studio)

14th September 2023

Amid modern warfare’s complexity and electronic warfare threats, NATO and its allies are balancing legacy systems with new technologies. With the importance of resilient waveforms underscored, High Frequency (HF) technology has emerged as a robust solution, leading to an “HF renaissance”.

Air Warfare

Insight: How will the US Navy keep its EA-18G Growler EW aircraft flying until 2046?

14th September 2023

The carrier-based EA-18G Growler entered service in 2010 and is intended to remain in service until 2046. Shephard Defence Insight analyses the key operational technologies on the aircraft and the upgrade path needed to keep it flying and effective for another two decades.

Training

High-End Defense Training for Multipolar Threats

13th September 2023

From US National Intelligence Council reports to defense and foreign policy commentary, much ink has been spilled in the last five years on changing power dynamics in the world order.

Fighter - multirole

F-35I Adir (51-75) (Israel)

Programme Background On 15 February 2015, Israel signed an FMS deal to procure 33 F-35A (F-35I Adir) fighter aircraft with an option of 17. Israel ...

Fighter - multirole

F-16 Replacement (Thailand)

Programme Background The new Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) commander ACM Napadej Thupatemi, who took up his post on 1 October 2021, commented that the RTAF ...

Fighter - multirole

F-35A Japan

In 2019, Japan requested to be an official partner in the F-35 programme, but this request was rejected by the Pentagon. The F-35 Joint Strike ...

Fighter - multirole

F-16V (Jordan)

Programme Background On 3 February 2022, the US State Department announced that it has approved a potential sale of 12 F-16 C Block 70 aircraft,  four ...

Fighter - multirole

Future Fighter Capability Project (Canada)

Programme Background Canada’s defence policy estimates the acquisition of the aircraft, associated equipment and setup to enable entry into service will cost C$15-19 billion ($12.9-14.5 billion). In ...

Fighter - multirole

F-15EX - USAF (Announced)

Programme Background The F-15EX will be based on the 2-seat F-15QA (Qatar) configuration upgraded with USAF-only capabilities, including the Eagle Passive Active Warning and Survivability ...

Fighter - multirole

F-35A (Poland)

Programme BackgroundDuring MSPO 2021, Lockheed Martin announced details related to F-35A manufacturing for the Polish Air Force. According to J.R McDonald, Lockheed Martin’s VP, business development ...

Fighter - multirole

F-35A (Greece)

Programme Background The Greek press has already leaked information on the prices, terms and conditions for delivery of 25-30 F-35As. If procurement is agreed upon, ...

Fighter - multirole

JAS-39C/D Gripen Replacement (Czech Republic)

Programme Background Requirements The Czech Republic Air Force operates 14 Gripens (12 JAS 39C and two JAS 39D variants) under a lease agreement that runs ...

Fighter - multirole

F-15EX - USAF (Contracted)

Programme Background USAF is looking to procure 144 F-15EX fighter aircraft, including two RDTE configurations and six low-rate initial production aircraft. F-15EX will replace ageing ...

Fighter - multirole

Project Halcon (Spain)

Programme Background The Spanish Air Force began requirements assessments, although potential suppliers including Boeing (F/A-18E/F), Lockheed Martin (F-35), Airbus-BAE-Leonardo (Eurofighter Typhoon) are already engaged with ...

Fighter - multirole

F-16V Block 70 (Bahrain)

Programme Background In 2018, the US government awarded a $1.12 billion contract to Lockheed Martin to produce 16 F-16 Block 70 aircraft for Bahrain, which ...

Fighter - multirole

Kfir Replacement (Colombia)

Programme Background In May 2021, budget constraints prompted new Colombian finance minister José Manuel Restrepo (in post since 3 May) to place on indefinite hold ...

Fighter - multirole

Ex-Norwegian F-16AM (Romania)

Programme Background According to the Norwegian MoD, the F-16AM/BMs have been in service for 40 years. The first aircraft will be delivered in 2023 and ...

Fighter - naval

F-35B Follow-On UK

Programme Background  The forthcoming UK Integrated Foreign Policy and Defence Review will shed further light on whether changes to the UK F-35B programme are to ...

Air: Integrated Defensive Systems

F-15 Tactical Electronic Warfare Suite (TEWS)

The F-15 Tactical Electronic Warfare Suite (TEWS) is a protection system designed to give F-15, F-15K and F-15E pilots software-controlled protection against directed RF threats. ...

Air: Displays

GH-4200

L3Harris GH-4200 Electronic Standby Instrument System (ESIS) is a repeater display designed for F-15 and F/A-18 aircraft.

Fighter - air superiority

F-15J/DJ

The F-15J and F-15DJ "Peace Eagle" are variants of the F-15 Eagle air-superiority tactical fighter aircraft manufactured by Mitsubishi for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.  

Fighter - air superiority

F-15 Eagle

The F-15 Eagle is a group of air-superiority tactical fighter aircraft that includes the F-15A/B/C/D models. The F-15A "Streak Eagle" and F-15C are single-seat versions used ...

EO/IR systems

IRST

IRST is a passive, long-range IR search and track (IRST) sensor system that detects and tracks airborne threats in electronic attack and heavy countermeasure environments. ...

Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

Ophir Lightweight IR Zoom Lenses

The LightIR thermal imaging zoom lenses include the 20-275mm f/5.5 mediumwave IR(264gr) and the 15-75mm f/1.2 longwave IR (320gr). Both lenses are lightweight and high-performance, ...

Fighter - multirole

F-16A/B Block 1, 5, 10, 15, 20

The F-16 Fighting Falcon programme started as a low-cost, highly manoeuvrable day fighter to complement the  higher-cost, heavier McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle air superiority fighter. ...

Air: chaff, flare and decoy systems

FG-3/-6/-9 IR Flares

The FG-3/-6/-9 IR Flares are fully compatible in form, fit and function with M206 and MJU-7B flares respectively, and they all use magnesium/PTFE cartridge pellets. ...

EO/IR systems

ATARS

Operational on USMC F/A-18s, the Advanced Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance System (ATARS) provides high-resolution imagery for real/near-real time reconnaissance and can perform strike and bomb damage ...

Air: AEW/fire control radar

AN/APG-63(V)3

The AN/APG-63(V)3 AESA radar is designed to provide adaptable technology and tactical flexibility as the newest member of Raytheon’s F-15 radar family. It is designed ...

Air: Helmet-mounted displays

JHMCS II

The Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) is a joint USAF/USN programme that has fielded over 5,000 systems. The JHMCS is qualified on F-15, F-16 and ...

Air: chaff, flare and decoy systems

IRCM Flares

Kilgore develops and manufactures a range of airborne IR decoy flares. These are compatible with most available dispenser systems. Standard flare products manufactured include: MJU-7A/B, ...

Core systems: cameras and IR detectors

7020-1-D-01

The 7020-1-D-01 is an athermal longwave infrared fixed-focal-length assembly, 25mm F/1.0. It supports multiple detectors with pitch from 15-50µm and designed for general thermal imaging ...

Fighter - multirole

F-35I Adir

The F-35I Adir is an F-35A Lightning II variant customised to meet the requirements of the Israel Defense Forces to replace the F-16 fleet in ...

Air: air combat simulators

Pakistan Air Force F-16C ATDs

The F-16C Aircrew Training Devices built by L3Harris Technologies for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) became ready for training in 2014. Both simulators, one a ...