Start Archive: News & Articles

Archive: News & Articles


Airbus receives new study contract for future French maritime patrol aircraft

The French Defence Procurement Agency (Direction Générale de l’Armement) has signed a contract with Airbus Defence and Space as prime contractor, in partnership with Thales, for a risk-assessment study of a future maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) based on the A321, Airbus announced on 4 February 2025. The 24-month contract follows on from an architecture and […]

US Navy declares IOC with next-gen infrared sensors on Super Hornets

The US Navy has declared initial operational capability (IOC) with the F/A-18 E/F Infrared Search and Track (IRST) Block II system, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) announced on 4 February 2025. IOC with the system, which actually occurred in November 2024, providing the US Navy’s Super Hornet fleet with an enhanced capability to search, detect […]

UVision collaborates with Omnisys to integrate battle resource optimisation into its Hero loitering munitions

Israeli loitering munition (LM) specialist UVision announced on 6 February 2025 that it has signed a strategic partnership agreement with fellow Israeli firm Omnisys. The accord is focused on integrating Omnisys’ BRO (Battle Resource Optimisation) suite of systems with UVision’s Hero LM family to deliver a comprehensive battlefield management system. The combat-proven BRO systems are […]



Japan selects T-6 Texan II Integrated Training System to modernise JASDF pilot training

Textron Aviation Defense announced on 28 January 2025 that, in co-ordination with Japan’s Kanematsu Group, its Beechcraft T-6 Texan II turboprop trainer-based Integrated Training System has been chosen to modernise pilot training for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). Japan will thus join 14 other nations that have selected the T-6 Texan II, adding to […]

Bird Aerosystems receives follow-on Aeroshield order from NATO customer

Israel’s Bird Aerosystems announced on 3 February 2025 that is has received a follow-on order from a “NATO European client” for its Aeroshield Missile Protection System (AMPS), which includes the Self Protection Radar Electro-Optic System (SPREOS) directed infra-red countermeasures (DIRCM) system. “The order, placed by a long-standing NATO client, includes the supply of systems to […]

Sikorsky begins Black Hawk ground runs with T901 Improved Turbine Engines

Sikorsky has started its first-ever ground runs with a UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter equipped with two GE Aerospace T901 Improved Turbine Engines (ITE), parent company Lockheed Martin announced on 29 January 2025. During the tests, which were executed by a combined US Army and industry test team and operated by army and Sikorsky pilots, the […]



US test team conducts first dual, external GBU-54 release from an F-35

The US multi-service United Operational Test Team (UOTT) has conducted the first ever dual, external release of a GBU-54 Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition (LJDAM) from an F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the US Air Force announced on 30 January 2025. The release was conducted using an F-35C from the US Navy’s Air Test and Evaluation […]

Full operating capability declared for UK’s Commando Merlin Mk4/4a fleet

Full operating capability (FOC) has been declared for the 25 AW101-based Commando Merlin MK3/Mk3a helicopters upgraded to the ‘ship-optimised’ Mk4/4a standard, Leonardo UK announced on 29 January 2025. In total, the Merlin Life Sustainment Programme (MLSP), overseen by the UK Ministry of Defence’s Defence Equipment & Support organisation (DE&S) and conducted by Leonardo UK, saw […]

Elbit Systems to upgrade self-protection suites of IAF’s F-16I Sufa fleet

The Israel Ministry of Defence (IMOD) has awarded Elbit Systems a contract worth approximately USD 80 million (EUR 76 million) for the development and initial installation of an advanced airborne self-protection suite on the Israeli Air Force’s (IAF’s) fleet of F-16I Sufa combat aircraft, the company announced on 27 January 2025. Under the contract the […]



Lockheed Martin to modernise F-22’s infrared threat detection sensors

Lockheed Martin has received a USD 270 million (EUR 257 million) contract from the US Air Force (USAF) to integrate a system of next-generation infrared defensive sensors on the F-22 Raptor air superiority fighter, the company announced on 22 January 2025. “The F-22 will soon feature a newly developed, distributed set of embedded TacIRST [tactical infrared search […]

Japan cleared to procure more extended-range JASSMs

The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Japan of more Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles with Extended Range (JASSM-ERs), the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 15 January 2025. The proposed sale, which is worth an estimated USD 39 million (EUR 37.5 million), has been passed to the […]

Lockheed Martin approves use of synthetic aviation turbine fuels for the F-35

Lockheed Martin has recently approved the use of synthetic aviation turbine fuels (SATFs) in the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, the company announced on 16 January 2025. The new fuel sources will improve readiness by reducing reliance on the extended supply chain, Lockheed Martin noted. “Lockheed Martin is committed to ensuring the F-35 is […]



Airbus delivers two new H225Ms for French Air and Space Force

Airbus Helicopters has delivered to the French Direction générale de l’armement (DGA) defence procurement agency the first two of eight H225M Caracal helicopters ordered in 2021, Airbus announced on 17 January 2025. The helicopters will be operated by the French Air and Space Force, replacing Pumas currently in service overseas (in French Guyana, Djibouti and […]

US State Department approves FMS that will expand Zambia’s Bell 412EP fleet

The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Zambia of Bell 412EP (Enhanced Performance) Exportable medium-lift transport helicopters, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 13 January 2025. The proposed sale, which is worth an estimated USD 100 million (EUR 97 million), has been passed to the US […]

Raytheon awarded USD 333 million contract for SM-6 Block IA production

Raytheon has been awarded a USD 333 million (EUR 324 million) contract from the US Navy to produce Standard Missile -6 (SM-6) Block IA missiles, parent company RTX announced on 13 January 2025. Deployed on US Navy ships, SM-6 “delivers a proven, over-the-horizon offensive and defensive capability by leveraging the time-tested Standard Missile airframe and […]



Uruguay orders five A-29 Super Tucanos, adding to its previous single-aircraft order

The Uruguayan Ministry of National Defense (MDN) has converted an option for five A-29 Super Tucano aircraft into a firm order, manufacturer Embraer announced on 14 January 2025. The agreement is part of a commitment signed in August 2024, when the Uruguayan Air Force (FAU) announced a firm order for one aircraft plus the option […]

Schiebel S-300 selected for EDF anti-submarine and seabed warfare project

Schiebel, as part of the Thales-led SEACURE consortium, announced on 13 January 2025 that it has been awarded a grant agreement under the European Defence Fund’s (EDF’s) call for unmanned anti-submarine and seabed warfare solutions. The SEACURE (Seabed and anti-submarine warfare capability through unmanned feature for Europe) consortium consists of 35 companies from 13 European […]

Babcock awarded long-term contract to support French pilot training

Babcock France, part of Babcock International, has been awarded a new 17-year contract to support military air training solutions for the French Air and Space Force and French Navy, the company announced on 10 January 2025. The EUR 795 million contract, awarded by France’s Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA) defence procurement agency, will see student […]



Securing the High North – Exercise ‘Apex Buccaneer’

ESD was recently invited on board a US Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker to observe part of the Norwegian-led trilateral exercise ‘Apex Buccaneer’. This article details what this exercise involved and examines why exercises like ‘Apex Buccaneer’ are essential in facilitating Arctic security. On 3 December 2024 Norway, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States […]

US Navy declares IOC with Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band system

The US Navy declared initial operational capability (IOC) for the Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band (NGJ-MB) system in December 2024, US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) reported on 6 January 2025. NAVAIR said the advent of the NGJ-MB system brings “a quantum leap in capability over legacy systems with drastic increases in power, target flexibility and […]

Polish MND orders three GA-ASI MQ-9B SkyGuardians

The Polish Ministry of National Defence (MND) has ordered three MQ-9B SkyGuardian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), manufacturer General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) announced on 16 December 2024. The sale to Poland will also include two Certifiable Ground Control Stations (CGCS) and three years of GA-ASI support services. The MQ-9B has an endurance in excess […]




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