Richard Thomas
Analysis: The UK’s Defence Space Strategy
The publication of the UK Defence Space Strategy adds more substance to the often-ephemeral claims of the country's ambitions in space, although questions as to what difference it can make remain
Approval given for Jordan’s F-16 acquisition
The US State Department approved on February 3 the possible Foreign Military Sale to Jordan of F-16 C/D Block 70 fighter and related equipment for an estimated cost of $4.21bn
DARPA targets AI assistant for US rotary pilots
Northrop Grumman has been awarded a contract from the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Perceptually-enabled Task Guidance programme to develop a prototype artificial intelligence assistant
Italy signs up for AIM-9X air-to-air missile
Italy has moved to acquire Air Intercept Missile-9X weapon systems from the US following the signing by the Italian Air Force of a Letter of Offer and Acceptance with the US Government
Bahrain to receive simulators for new F-16 fleet
Bahrain will receive F-16 simulators produced by Lockheed Martin to train pilots for national defence missions under a new agreement
Nacelles upgrade completed on first CV-22 tiltrotor
Bell has completed the first nacelle improvements modification on a US Air Force CV-22 Osprey, part of an ongoing upgrade in co-ordination with Boeing to improve wiring within the nacelles and adapt its structure to improve maintainability
Uncrewed acquisition: Demand surges for tactical UAVs
As militaries gain greater experience of the role that tactical uncrewed aerial vehicles can fulfil, the market for such platforms continues to develop and mature
Leonardo says it has “no evidence of issues” on Kuwait Typhoon allegations
European defence prime Leonardo said it is not the subject of a judicial investigation in relation to the delivery of 28 Typhoon multi-role fighters to Kuwait, hours after Kuwaiti news outlets reported the alleged misappropriation of public funds by military officers in relation to the programme
UAE jets strike Houthi ballistic missile launcher
The UAE moved to strike a purported ballistic missile launcher operated by Houthi militia in Yemen’s Al Jawf on January 24, hours after the UAE’s Ministry of Defence announced the interception of two missiles targeting the Gulf country
UK carriers could get jet-powered drones under Project Vampire
The UK Ministry of Defence is looking to begin the procurement of a series of jet-powered drones this year that will operate from Royal Navy platforms, potentially including the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers