The Shephard Defence Podcast

In this episode of the Weekly Defence Podcast, we report from the floor of AUSA and look at the status of the US Army’s key aviation and land vehicle programmes, including the AVX/L3Harris contender for FARA, and we speak to Raytheon about its Naval Strike Missile, while sponsor Nammo provides its insight into industry developments.News Roundup (00:50)On the news this week…The team provide coverage of all the news at AUSA 2019 in Washington DC this week.Deputy Air Editor Tim Martin outlines how the main contenders were positioning themselves for the US Army’s Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) programme, with several using the show to reveal aspects of their designs.Raider X takes to the stageBell fired up for FARA with 360 InvictusBoeing sticks to FARA vow of silenceDefiant delays return to haunt SB>1On the vehicle front, Land Editor Beth Maundrill explains how while the US Army remains tight-lipped on the status of the OMFV programme, Rheinmetall is still pushing for its Lynx KF41 to be a part of the effort which will see the replacement of the Bradley IFV.Rheinmetall disappointed but not beaten on OMFVLong Range Precision Fires (LRFP) continues to be a top priority for the US Army’s modernisation plan. Part of the tactical level of that effort, BAE Systems, in partnership with the army, debuted the ERCA howitzer test bed at AUSA 2019.US Army gunning for extended range prototype successA number of companies showcased new capabilities integrated on the Stryker armoured vehicle, including General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) with its Initial Maneuver Short-Range Air Defence (IM-SHORAD) Stryker solution.IM-SHORAD paves the way for rapid prototyping effortsDeep Dive – The AVX-L3Harris Compound Coaxial Helicopter  (14:40)Tim Martin speaks to Luke Savoie, the President of Aviation Services for L3Harris, about its proposal for the US Army’s Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft that it is developing in partnership with AVX.AVX and L3T show FARA handInsight: What next for the FARA five?Interview – Raytheon's Naval Strike Missile (27:29)VP Content Tony Skinner caught up with Randy Kempton, Raytheon's Naval Strike Missile programme director, to discuss the latest developments and prospects of the weapon.USMC to get Naval Strike MissileIndustry Voice – Nammo (35:32)Tim Martin speaks to Endre Lunde, Nammo’s SVP Communications, about the news and developments revealed during at AUSA.Music and sound mixing provided by Fred Prest

In this episode of the Weekly Defence Podcast, we take a more detailed look at what was revealed during the PLA’s recent parade through Tiananmen Square, speak to Leonardo about the capabilities of the AW149 and the rotorcraft opportunities the company is pursuing, and assess the current Somali pirate threat for ships transiting the Red and Arabian seas.News Roundup (00:42)On the news this week…In advance of AUSA 2019, Land Editor Beth Maundrill outlines the questions surrounding the US Army’s contest to develop an Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV), which was launched in earnest at the beginning of October but drew only a single industry participant. This casts a long shadow over the adequacy of competition in the high-priority, fast-track, project that is estimated to cost tens of billions of dollars to replace the venerable Bradley IFV fleet.Questions raised as Bradley replacement becomes one-horse raceOn the aviation front, the German MoD has strongly hinted that ‘mutually consented’ issues have prevented an anticipated FCAS demonstrator contract being issued to Airbus and Dassault, following pressure on decision-makers from the manufacturers to deal with the matter urgently, as Deputy Air Editor Tim Martin explains.Germany claims mutual consent forced FCAS demonstrator impasseOn the sea side, Editor-in-Chief Richard Thomas takes a deep dive into the current Somali pirate threat for ships transiting the Red and Arabian seas. The latest reduction in the size of the industry-created High-Risk Area (HRA) in May 2019 that stretched from the Red Sea through to the Gulf of Oman could indicate a reduced risk of hijacking, although maritime security observers point to a depleted but still present threat of pirate attack.Investigative report: Industry waits on the ebb and flow of Somali piracyDeep Dive – People’s Liberation Army (PLA) armaments (14:40)On 1 October China put on its largest-ever parade through Tiananmen Square in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the modern-day People’s Republic of China. Dominating the spectacle were missiles, unmanned systems and electronic warfare (EW) capabilities.Asia Pacific editor Gordon Arthur was there and outlines what he learned from the parade, which saw some 40% of the equipment shown to the public for the first time.Chinese missiles dominate world’s largest military paradeInterview – Tony Duthie, Leonardo (32:42)With the AW149 pride of place of the Leonardo exhibit at the recent DSEI exhibition, Shephard Media’s VP Content Tony Skinner talks to Tony Duthie, Leonardo’s Head of Land and Maritime Marketing, about the capabilities of the aircraft and the rotorcraft opportunities the company is pursuing.Music and sound mixing provided by Fred Prest  

In this episode of the Weekly Defence Podcast, we head to Brussels to learn about the development of European special forces capabilities, take a look at the Chinese military equipment on display at the PLA's recent parade and find out about Bell’s future attack helicopter contender.News Roundup (00:34)On the news this week…The team outline how on 1 October China put on its largest-ever parade through Tiananmen Square in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the modern-day People’s Republic of China. Dominating the spectacle were missiles, unmanned systems and electronic warfare (EW) capabilities.On the aviation front, manufacturer Bell has unveiled its Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft Competitive Prototype contender – the 360 Invictus – distinguished by a lift-sharing fixed-wing, tandem cockpit, single-engine and integrated with new rotor technology for high-speed flight. Deputy air editor Tim Martin outlines more.On the land front, land editor Beth Maundrill paid a visit to Israel Weapons Industries (IWI), which alongside detailing elements of its future business roadmap, said that configuring its own weapon systems to a new 6.8mm, or even 6.5mm, calibre would be an ‘easy change’ to make.Sea editor Richard Thomas explains how the UK's HMS Queen Elizabeth Carrier Strike Group has formed for the first time on the Westlant 19 deployment. Meanwhile, Newport News Shipbuilding has completed the dry dock portion of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington’s (CVN 73) refuelling and complex overhaul (RCOH).Deep Dive – Belgium’s Special Operations (17:30)We speak with Colonel Tom Bilo commander of Belgium’s Special Operations Regiment, which was established in July 2018, about the country’s heritage in parachute and commando units and how the regiment is now enhancing its SOF capabilities.Interview – General Claudio Graziano, the permanent Chairman of the EUMC (33:37)The European Union Military Committee (EUMC) is composed of the chiefs of defence of the EU member states and provides the Political and Security Committee with advice and recommendations on all military matters within the EU. General Claudio Graziano, the permanent Chairman of the CEUMC, outlines the role the committee plays within EU defence matters.Industry Voice – Nammo (44:52)Nammo SVP of Communications Endre Lunde outlines the challenges the defence industry faces planning for 2020 and beyond given the current global instablility.Music and sound mixing provided by Fred Prest  

In this episode of the Weekly Defence Podcast, we speak to our Asia Pacific editor about all the defence rumblings across the region, talk innovation with QinetiQ and look at all the news from across the defence sector.News RoundupOn the news this week…Deputy air editor Tim Martin outlines how helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky has held meetings and CH-53K King Stallion flight demonstrations with German and Israeli delegations as it looks to encourage both that the aircraft fits their individual heavy-lift helicopter requirements.Meanwhile, despite the Philippines turning efforts to introduce 16 new combat utility helicopters for the Philippine Air Force (PAF) into a drawn-out saga, Shephard has confirmed that a deal was signed earlier this year for the Sikorsky S-70i.Confirmation of a direct commercial sale came at the MSPO exhibition in Poland earlier this month, with the S-70i aircraft to be assembled at Sikorsky’s PZL Mielec unit in Poland. Editor-in-chief Richard Thomas outlines reports from our roving editor Beth Maundrill in Haifa who has revealed that just four months after the launch of its new OPV design, the OPV-45, Israel Shipyards has secured its first order for the new vessel type.Deep Dive – Developments in Asia Pacific defence Our Asia Pacific editor Gordon Arthur runs through all the major defence developments from the region from recent weeks.Front and centre is the news that China has launched its first landing helicopter dock (LHD) at the Huangpu-Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai, greatly furthering the future expeditionary capabilities of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).Two other neighbouring Southeast Asian countries are adding LPDs to their naval fleets and both are procuring them from Asian shipbuilders in different countries.Meanwhile, in Australia Rheinmetall Defence Australia has handed over the first Boxer 8x8 armoured vehicle acquired under Project Land 400 Phase 2 to the Australian Army.Interview – QinetiQVP Content Tony Skinner speaks to with Mike Sewart, QinetiQ’s Director of Research and Innovation about the company’s innovation activities, including directed energy weapons and the development of lasers, among other technologies.New content teaser – Five Eyes Connectivity podcast (37:06)We preview Shephard Media’s special series on Five Eyes Connectivity, sponsored by our partner Viasat.Over three episodes, we will look at the changing face of modern warfare across the land, sea and air domains through the prism of three key technology areas: Satellite communications, line-of-sight datalinks and cyber securityEpisode one is available hereMusic and sound mixing provided by Fred Prest 

We are excited to be sharing the opening episode of the Five Eyes Connectivity podcast, the first such project from Shephard Studio created in collaboration with Viasat.Over the next three episodes, we will look at the changing face of modern warfare across the land, sea and air domains through the prism of three key technology areas: Satellite communications, line of sight data links and cybersecurity. We will hear from senior military leaders about the changing nature of today's threats, how unfettered access across the electromagnetic spectrum can no longer be taken for granted. We will find out about the vulnerabilities facing these critical technology areas, look at the work going on to protect military networks and hear how the private sector is stepping in to help. In particular, we will look at the Five Eyes grouping of countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the US and find out how prepared their militaries are when the connectivity they have become accustomed to is degraded or denied. And we will hear from our sponsor, Viasat, about how the private sector is stepping in to help militaries develop these technology areas further.

In this episode of the Weekly Defence Podcast, we consider growth in the artillery and air defence market, hear from L3Harris Technologies about the company’s MAST 13 ASV and look at all the news from across the defence sector.News Roundup (00:45)On the news this week…The team consider the implications and ramifications of the Saudi Arabia’s missile defence systems being unable to prevent the drone and cruise missile attack against some of the kingdom’s most important oil infrastructure.Elsewhere, in the air domain, Tim Martin explains that despite making the AW149 the centrepiece of its exhibit at DSEI, manufacturer Leonardo is still unwilling to confirm that a reported deal for 20 of the helicopters to Egypt is underway.Production aircraft are currently being assembled for military operators and the model is in service, although the company has not disclosed which party is using the helicopters – despite the Royal Thai Army initially set to become a launch customer by way of an order for five of the 8t-class type, placed in 2016.Out at sea, Richard Thomas outlines how a €1 billion ($1.1 billion) deal managed to slip under the defence carpets at DSEI, as Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) and Navantia agreed a deal through their joint venture for the development and technology transfer of the Catiz combat management system (CMS) and its integration onto the Royal Saudi Naval Forces Avante 2200 corvettes.Beth Maundrill, meanwhile, explains how in its A$10-15 billion ($7-10.4 billion) Project Land 400 Phase 3 competition, Australia has clearly professed a predilection for animal names, with the Hanwha Redback and Rheinmetall Lynx being down-selected for further trials at the expense of the General Dynamics Land Systems Ajax and BAE Systems Hägglunds  CV90 as announced on 16 September.Deep Dive – Artillery and air defence market (16:07)Director of Analysis Matthew Smith outlines how a renewed focus on high intensity, conventional warfare has reshaped the artillery and Air Defence market, Shephard Media’s Defence Insight team has discovered.As Matthew explains, a study of 220 procurement programmes has found that the total value of the market will be $160 billion over next ten years, although this will be front loaded, with air defence and self-propelled artillery forecast to dominate.Interview – L3Harris and its MAST-13 (28:20)VP Content Tony Skinner speaks to Tim O’Neill, Defence Technical Sales manager at L3Harris (ASV, UK), about the company’s Maritime Autonomy Surface Testbed (MAST) 13 autonomous surface vehicle (ASV) it recently delivered to the Royal Navy.The 13-meter (41ft) long high-speed ASV is capable of fully autonomous navigation, using L3Harris’ ASView proprietary autonomous control system and advanced algorithms developed for the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. The system will be used as a testbed to support the development of new capabilities for the Royal NavyNew content teaser – Five Eyes Connectivity podcast (37:06)We preview Shephard Media’s special series on Five Eyes Connectivity, sponsored by our partner Viasat.Over next three episodes, we will look at the changing face of modern warfare across the land, sea and air domains through the prism of three key technology areas:

In this episode of the Weekly Defence Podcast, we report from DSEI in London, one of the largest defence exhibitions of the year, hear from Team Tempest about the future fighter aircraft programme, and speak to the US Air Force about its new AFWERX innovation hub.News Roundup (00:50)On the news this week…The team report from DSEI in London, where among the announcements was news that Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 has won the £1.25 billion ($1.54 billion) programme for the five-ship Type 31e light frigate programme. Sea editor Richard Thomas and deputy air editor Tim Martin run through the machinations of the long-running Type 31e saga.Tim also looks at the decision by the UK and Italy to partner on the Tempest future fighter programme. A statement of intent has also been agreed at an industrial level between Rome and London, further evidence that engineering and design efforts will involve a formidable and diverse mix of suppliers including BAE, Leonardo, Rolls-Royce and MBDA.Meanwhile, land domain editor Beth Maundrill outlines the progress of the UK’s flagship land programmes, including the Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme (WCSP) upgrade and the Challenger 2 Life Extension Programme (CR2 LEP).Deep Dive – Team Tempest (13:19)Tim Martin, deputy air editor, speaks to Team Tempest, about the announcement the UK and Italian governments had formally agreed to partner on the future fighter programme.Air Commodore Daniel Storr, Head of the Combat Air Acquisition Programme at the UK MoD, outlines the flurry of recent activity on the Tempest programme while Michael Christie, Director of Future Combat Air Systems at BAE Systems, provides an overview of the industrialisation of the project.Interview – AFWERX (30:30)VP Content Tony Skinner speaks to Brian 'Beam' Maue, the AFWERX mission lead, to find out more about the progress of the AFWERX programme, which was announced by USAF secretary Heather Wilson only two years ago.Maue explains how AFWERX had 'started with a classic innovation hub approach where people could come together and perform design thinking or lean startup type methods through facilitation'.Industry Voice – Nammo (49:12)Endre Lunde, SVP of Communications for Nammo, explains how coffee and a link up with the Help for Heroes charity has become a centrepiece of this year’s DSEI for the company.Music and sound mixing provided by Fred Prest 

In this episode of the Weekly Defence Podcast, we report from the sidelines of MSPO, Poland’s main defence exhibition, we speak to the organisers of DSEI in London ahead of the event, and senior managers from Raytheon outline the direction the company is heading.News Roundup (01:00)On the news this week…Editor in chief Richard Thomas and deputy air editor Tim Martin report from MSPO in Poland. Among the news to emerge from the show was the confirmation that the Pentagon's decision to remove Turkey from the F-35 programme has since left production made aircraft readied for Ankara without an owner.https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/defence-notes/mspo-2019-turkish-f-35-production-aircraft-left-wi/Meanwhile, among the new products on display was a technology demonstrator of an mobile air defence combat system (ASBOP–PERKUN) the Lukasiewicz – PIAP Institute has developed in partnership with the Telesystem-Mesko company.https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/uv-online/mspo-2019-mobile-air-defence-system-showcased/Deep Dive – DSEI preview (15:13)Land editor Beth Maundrill sits down with RAdm Simon Williams, chairman of Clarion Defence and Security, the events company that puts together the biennial DSEI event.https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/defence-notes/dsei-2019-what-expect-uk-mod/Simon outlined where he sees the European defence market heading and what he believes MoD will bring to the table at this year’s edition of DSEI..Interview – Raytheon (37:55)VP Content Tony Skinner sits down with Raytheon’s Christopher Davis, president of Raytheon International Inc, and Roy Azevedo, president of Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems (SAS), to discuss new capabilities, international sales and how the company is positioning itself for new requirements.Music and sound mixing provided by Fred Prest

In this episode of the Weekly Defence Podcast, we take a mid-year recap, looking back at some of the highlights from earlier episodes, including a look inside the Hong Kong Garrison of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), examine trends in the naval ships market and hear about the US Navy’s cyber security challenges.Behind the news – a visit to the Hong Kong Garrison of the People’s Liberation Army (01:08)Over a three-day period from 29 June to 1 July, the Hong Kong Garrison of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) opened the gates of three of its military camps to ticket-carrying members of the public.Our Asia Pacific Editor Gordon Arthur was there and explains to host Helen Haxell how, in light of ongoing civil tensions and mass public protests in Hong Kong, the PLA was on even higher alert than normal, with several new pieces of equipment on display. You can read Gordon’s full story here: PLA shows varied capabilities in Hong KongShephard Analysis – naval market trends (15:39)Shephard’s director of analysis Matt Smith outlines his findings and predictions on the current state of the naval ships market. One of the things highlighted in the report is the sector that has seen the most growth - small class vessels such as mine-hunters, amphibious assault ships and landing docks.Interview – Captain Erik Pittman, US Navy (25:00)Tony Skinner, our VP of content, talks to Captain Erik Pittman, J6 Deputy Director at US Indo-Pacific Command, about the US Navy electromagnetic manoeuvre warfare concept, and their response to the growing cyber threat.Industry Voice – Nammo (36:00)In this week’s Industry Voice Tony Skinner, our VP of Content, and Endre Lunde, SVP of Communications for Nammo, discuss cyber security and the implications of recent cyber attacks to the defence industry.Music and sound mixing provided by Fred Prest 

In this episode of the Weekly Defence Podcast, we take a mid-year recap, looking back at some of the highlights from earlier episodes, including coverage of Brazil's main defence exhibition, trends in the air defence market and Australia's development of unmanned assets.Show coverage: LAAD in BrazilBeth Maundrill, our deputy land editor, attended the LAAD exhibition in Rio de Janeiro with Kate and Matt Smith. The team runs through all the news and developments from the event and discusses who is positioning themselves for sales across South America.Shephard Analysis – Air Defence MarketShephard Media’s director of analyst Matt Smith and analyst Ilker Aktaşoğlu talk about their findings and predictions on the current state of the air defence market.The team discuss the dynamism of the short-range air defence segment, look at emerging requirements Canada and Norway, and consider the effect the weaponisation of consumer drones has had on the sector.Interview – Kieran Joyce, Australian ArmyWhile at AUVSI, Tony Skinner, our VP of content, met with Kieran Joyce – the programme manager for unmanned aerial systems for the Australian Army. The conversation covers the army’s use of UAVs such as the Black Hornet, the progress of a new UAV programme and drone racing.Industry Voice – NammoIn this week’s Industry Voice Tony Skinner, our VP of Content, and Endre Lunde, SVP of Communications for Nammo, discuss the trends in global defence spendingMusic and sound mixing provided by Fred Prest