• Air Warfare

  Boeing’s orderbook boosted with new US Air Force contracts

  29th November 2024

  Recent orders for the Boeing KC-46A tanker for the US Air Force (USAF) and engineering support for the Japan Air Self-Defence Force give a boost to the US manufacturer’s orderbook.

• Air Warfare

  Analysis: Is the C-5 Galaxy in it for the long-haul?

  23rd December 2024

  What are the realistic options for replacing or replicating the C-5’s unique capability when it finally reaches its end of life?

• Land Warfare

  Netherlands bolsters armed forces with Leopard tanks and Puma UAS fleet upgrades

  14th May 2025

  The procurement announcements emphasise the Dutch Ministry of Defence’s response to NATO’s call for heavier combat capabilities for land operations.

• Air Warfare

  What the retirement of the KC-10 Extender means for the US Air Force

  27th September 2024

  The tanker will be replaced by the KC-46A Pegasus, which is a more capable platform in terms of avionics, but with less payload capacity.

• Air Warfare

  Paris Air Show 2025: New capabilities, partnerships and next-gen programmes remain priority for industry

  12th June 2025

  As European countries increase their defence budgets, the Paris Air Show will look to how the aerospace industry’s responds, with programme progression, new technology and industrial partnerships all expected to take centre stage at Le Bourget.

• Air Warfare

  Indian Air Force airlifter contract bidders push credentials at Aero India

  19th February 2025

  The three main bidders aiming to replace India’s ageing An-32 and Il-76 transporter fleet were at Aero India to put their case, despite recent geopolitical pressures on the competition.

• Air Warfare

  Will tomorrow’s US Air Force fleet be pilotless?

  6th March 2025

  The US Air Force has been showing an increasing interest in adding trusted uncrewed capabilities to its aircraft inventory.

• Air Warfare

  Boeing CEO notes “confidence” in defence arm despite 20% Q4 revenue loss

  30th January 2025

  Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg indicated ongoing improvements were being made in its defence programmes going forwards, despite being affected in Q4 by cost pressures, higher manufacturing costs and the impact of the IAM strike.

• Air Warfare

  US Air Force to test Northrop Grumman’s next-gen connectivity capabilities in the CJADC2

  7th April 2025

  NG InSight will be evaluated in support of the USAF Battle Network.

• Air Warfare

  Boeing to upgrade software for KC-46A tanker

  24th July 2024

  The KC-46A upgrades will improve the platform’s mission readiness, performance in challenged airspace and rapid deployment capabilities.

• Air Warfare

  Portugal joins Embraer and Brazil on C-390 ISR capabilities study

  2nd April 2025

  The ongoing study was first announced by Embraer in late 2024 with the Brazilian Air Force, with this latest addition announced during the LAAD defence and security exhibition.

• Land Warfare

  Improved British Army Javelin launcher passes milestone as more missile orders placed

  27th May 2025

  Almost US$2 billon has been placed in orders for the Javelin anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) in the past 18 months with the British Army just announcing firing of its Lightweight Command Launch Unit (LWCLU) over an extended range.

• Air Warfare

  Japan cleared for more KC-46A aerial refuelling aircraft under $4.1 billion deal

  16th September 2024

  Japan ordered two KC-46A tanker aircraft under an FMS contract with the US Air Force awarded in December 2017. The deal was increased to six tankers with subsequent orders. Japan has now been approved for up to nine more aircraft.

• Air Warfare

  US budget boosts Boeing’s F-15EX with $3.1 billion investment to increase fleet to 129

  1st July 2025

  The F-15EX Eagle II had already been singled out for further funding in January 2025, when it was chosen to replace the A-10 aircraft for the US National Guard.

• Air Warfare

  Collins prepares expansion of the US Navy/Marine Tactical Combat Training System Inc II

  14th April 2025

  The company has been negotiating the supply of TCTS II to US allies and partners.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-46A (USA)

  Programme Background The first four Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) KC-46A aircraft were delivered to McConnell AFB in Kansas in January 2019. As of December 2020, a ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | KC-Y Tanker Aircraft (USA)

  The USAF is looking to procure tanker aircraft to bridge the gap between the delayed KC-46 fleet and the future Advanced Air Refueling Tanker (known also ...

• Data links

  Data links | KC-Y Tanker Aircraft (USA)

  The USAF is looking to procure tanker aircraft to bridge the gap between the delayed KC-46 fleet and the future Advanced Air Refueling Tanker (known also ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | KC-Y Tanker Aircraft (USA)

  The USAF is looking to procure tanker aircraft to bridge the gap between the delayed KC-46 fleet and the future Advanced Air Refueling Tanker (known also ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-Y Tanker Aircraft (USA)

  Programme Background The USAF is replacing its fleet of 396 KC-135 Stratotanker refuelling aircraft, built in the 1950s and 60s, and 59 KC-10 Extenders, which entered service ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-46A (Israel)

  Programme Background Boeing, according to reports, would not grant Israel Aerospace Industries permission to convert used 767s into tanker planes. Consequently, according to Channel 12 ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-46A Forecast (Israel)

  Programme Background Boeing, according to reports, would not grant Israel Aerospace Industries permission to convert used 767s into tanker planes. Consequently, according to Channel 12 ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  Heavy Multirole Tanker [Italy]

  Programme Background Requirement Italy operates four Boeing KC-767As, which provide the Italian Air Force with tanker capability. According to the Italian MoD, this tanker fleet ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini

  Hornet XR (Ukraine Aid) [Germany]

  Programme Background 46 Drones In February 2025, the Bundesregierung announced that 46 Hornet XR drones had been sent to Ukraine. The drones were provided from ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-130J - US Marine Corps

  Programme Background The C-130J Super Hercules is a four-engine turboprop transport aircraft developed by Lockheed Martin to replace aging C-130 variants. The US and FMS ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | KC-130J [Saudi Arabia]

  Royal Saudi Air Force is seeking to purchase three KC-130J tanker aircraft in addition to two units acquired under FMS programme. On 9 November 2012, ...

• Data links

  Data links | KC-130J [Saudi Arabia]

  Royal Saudi Air Force is seeking to purchase three KC-130J tanker aircraft in addition to two units acquired under FMS programme. On 9 November 2012, ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | KC-130J [Saudi Arabia]

  Royal Saudi Air Force is seeking to purchase three KC-130J tanker aircraft in addition to two units acquired under FMS programme. On 9 November 2012, ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Kirpi (Tunisia)

  Programme Background The Tunisian Armed Forces require mine-resistant vehicles to support its troops engaged in counter-terrorism missions, who face a high risk of attack from IEDs. ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | KC-390 (Option) [Portugal]

  The Portuguese Air Force is planning to purchase one KC-390 aircraft in addition to the five platforms under a contract signed in August 2019 to supply ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-46A Pegasus

  In February 2011, Boeing received a USAF contract to build 179 KC-46A tankers, developed from the KC-767A. The first phase of the USAF's tanker recapitalisation ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-135 Stratotanker

  The KC-135 entered service in 1957 with the USAF, which plans to keep the type flying beyond 2040 when it will be replaced by the ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  KC-46A ATS

  FlightSafety supports the USAF aircrew training program for the KC-46A Pegasus tanker aircraft. The program delivers a multi-faceted training package to the USAF from design, ...

• Subsystems: visual

  VITAL 1100

  FlightSafety’s VITAL 1100 visual system provides pilots with simulator training that features realistic, detailed, high-resolution views designed to enhance safety. VITAL 1100 is combined with ...

• Air: Defensive Systems - Radar Warning Receivers, EW test systems

  Model 527

  The Model 527 radar signal simulator is used for end-of-runway and walk-around radiated RWR testing to verify the operational status of the aircraft and its ...

• Air: Defensive Systems - MLDS, Air: Defensive Systems - Laser Warning Receivers

  AN/AAR-47B(V)2

  The AN/AAR-47B Missile Warning System (MWS) is an EW system designed to protect low/slow-flying aircraft against surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles. The MWS will detect a ...

• Air: chaff, flare and decoy systems

  Alloy Surfaces and Kilgore IRCM flares

  Chemring Countermeasures develops and manufactures the Alloy Surfaces and Kilgore range of airborne IR flares that are compatible with most available dispensers on a variety ...

• Air: Defensive Systems - Radar Warning Receivers

  APR-39(V)

  The ARP-39(V) is an RWR system for combat helicopters, low-speed aircraft and fast attack craft. The system comprises two dual-video receivers, four spiral cavity-backed antennas, ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-10 Extender

  The KC-10 Extender is a tanker/transport aircraft developed for the USAF by McDonnell Douglas (now part of Boeing). It was derived from the company’s three-engine ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-130J Super Hercules

  The KC-130J Super Hercules is a tanker variant of the C-130J Super Hercules. It is designed to deliver fuel to several platforms, including helicopters and ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  USAF KC-135 ATS

  The KC-135 Aircrew Training System (ATS) programme delivers initial qualification, requalification, continuation and upgrades training for USAF KC-135 aircrews, including pilots, co-pilots and boom operators. ...

• Towed guns

  M-46

  The M-46 130mm field gun was developed to meet a Soviet Army artillery requirement developed in 1946 and it entered production in 1951. The M-46, ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  KC-10A Training

  FlightSafety supports USAF Air Mobility Command with 4,000-6,000 initial, upgrade and recurrent training events each year for KC-10 pilots, boom operators and flight engineers. It ...

• Air-launched ASW torpedoes, Ship-launched torpedoes

  MK 46 Mod 5A (SW)

  The MK 46 Mod 5A (SW) is the latest model of the MK 46 family, used by 25 countries, in service with the USN and ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  USMC KC-130J Training Devices

  CAE delivered a KC-130J cockpit avionics part-task trainer to MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina. The device is used for classroom training of ground maintenance personnel ...