The Shephard Defence Podcast

What emerged from the main industry event for Special Forces? How is the Canadian Army preparing for the future digital battlespace? And what is being done to tackle the rising threat of drone incursions?This week in a jam-packed Weekly Defence Podcast, we check out the latest technologies on show at SOFIC 2019, speak to Colonel Mark Parsons of the Canadian Army about how networked technologies are changing the way war is waged, and hear from our sponsor Nammo about the growing threat of drone incursions.News Round Up (01:17)With US president Donald Trump visiting the UK this week, we touch upon his recent comments regarding NATO spending, and hear the responses of attendees at the Land Warfare Conference in London hosted by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI). We hear the opinions of Shashank Joshi, Senior Research Fellow at RUSI, and Professor Anne Applebaum, American journalist and Director of ARENA.We also take a look at the recently approved sale of eight Lockheed Martin F-16s to Bulgaria, with a maximum projected price of $1.6 billion. The sale will include support, training, documentation, spare parts and a modest weapons package. Lockheed Martin has also been in the news recently for withdrawing from the US Navy’s FFG(X) process, and instead focusing on the programme’s weapon systems while also working to build up the capabilities of the Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) on which its offering was designed.Finally, there is an update regarding the US Army’s Improved Turbine Engine Programme (ITEP) for their AH-64 Apache and UH-60 Black Hawk fleets. Although General Electric’s T901 turboshaft has been confirmed as the engine of choice, their competitor ATEC (a joint venture between Honeywell and Pratt and Whitney) continues to protest the decision.The price is right for US F-16s to SofiaCombat system concentration for Lockheed Martin after FFG(X) withdrawalInsight: ITEP thaw heats US Army enginesEvent – SOFIC 2019 (22:33)Scott Gourley, our special forces editor, reports on the themes, trends, and technologies on show at SOFIC 2019, from new lightweight ammunition to more effective night vision goggles. Interview – Colonel Mark Parsons, Canadian Army (32:14)Helen Haxell sat down with Colonel Mark Parsons, the Director of Land Command Information in the Canadian Army, to discuss the various effects the ongoing evolution of network-enabled technologies has had, and how the armed forces are preparing themselves to handle them.Industry Voice - Nammo (52:34)In this week’s Industry Voice Tony Skinner, our VP of Content, and Endre Lunde, SVP of Communications for Nammo, talk about the issue of drone incursions and the ways industry is responding. Music and sound mixing provided by Fred Prest

What is the Arctic Challenge Exercise? How is Raytheon positioning itself for changes in the space sector? This week on the Weekly Defence Podcast, we head to Sweden to see the Arctic Challenge Exercise, and talk to the vice-president of Raytheon’s Space Systems about its space sector activities. News Round-Up (01:10)This week in our News Round-Up:The US Marine Corps is still considering its options for the Future Vertical Lift programme, seeking to replace their UH-1Y Venom and AH-1Z Viper platforms, with the V-280 Valor in contention. Air reporter Tim Martin discusses the options.The Spanish Foot-Soldier System (SISCAP) soldier modernisation effort will soon enter its test readiness review (TRR) phase. The programme is the latest effort to improve soldier equipment following the collapse of the earlier COMFUT (Combatiente Futuro) soldier modernisation programme. Deputy land editor Beth Maundrill outlines how SISCAP is focused on developing fire control and targeting systems and communications systems for dismounted troops within the Spanish Army.The US Coast Guard is awaiting a report from Eastern Shipbuilding Group, the prime contractor for the Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC), on how a major hurricane last year will affect the programme’s cost and schedule. Sea editor Richard Thomas has the details.USMC weighs up FVL optionsSpanish Army's soldier modernisation efforts advanceReport to assess hurricane’s impact on US Coast Guard’s Offshore Patrol CutterEvent coverage – ACE 2019 (12:28)Helen Haxell attended the Arctic Challenge Exercise 2019 (ACE 2019) in Sweden this week, and spoke to representatives of both the Swedish Air Force and the US Air Force about the platforms they were using and the challenges of the exercise. The Air Forces of Sweden, Finland and Norway are hosting the multinational Arctic Challenge Exercise 2019 (ACE 19) with more than 100 aircraft from nine nations participating in the air power exercise carried out in the airspace over the northern areas of the host countries.Interview – Wallis Laughrey, Raytheon (20:30)Helen also met with the vice-president of Raytheon Space Systems, Wallis Laughrey, to talk about the company’s activities in the space sector and how it is positioning itself for future opportunities.Among the programmes covered are the US Overhead Persistent Infrared constellation programme and DARPA’s “Project Blackjack”, which looks to research ways to create a LEO constellation of small-sats that will be cheap and easily replaceable. Music and sound mixing provided by Fred Prest

How is Rheinmetall positioning its Lynx infantry fighting vehicle for current programmes? How prepared is the US Navy to face the cyber threats of the future? And just how is the defence industry involved in the climate change debate?This week on the Weekly Defence Podcast, we take a look at the Lynx KF41 IFV and how it is being offered for Australian and US requirements, talk to the J6 Deputy Director at US Indo-Pacific Command about the US Navy’s cyber capabilities, and hear from our sponsor Nammo in our Industry Voice segment.News Round-Up (01:00)With the continuing tensions between the US and Iran dominating the news, the team considers the wider ramifications of the issue, before moving on to what else caught their eye this week.Helicopter manufacturer Bell has successfully completed all of the main performance standards associated with its Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator (JMR-TD) flight test efforts, having now demonstrated a low-speed agility key performance parameter on its V-280 Valor. The Romanian Air Force has taken delivery of an unspecified number of counterterrorism Gryf UGVs designed and manufactured by the Polish Lukasiewicz-PIAP Institute, which will be used to detect, identify and neutralise explosive ordnance, as well as protect strategic assets and infrastructure located in the country and abroad.Australia is again on the hunt for a new self-propelled howitzer (SPH), seven years after it abruptly cancelled the Project Land 17 Phase 2 tender process that had selected the South Korean AS9 (a variant of the K9 Thunder used by the Republic of Korea Army) as preferred tenderer. The Australian Army is now seeking 30 SPHs, all of which are to be indigenously built and maintained at a new green-field facility in Geelong, Victoria from 2022/23.Meanwhile, air domain editor Helen Haxell is in Sweden, where she spoke to Saab about the company's development of S-band radar technology.Bell hits last of JMR-TD key performance targetsRomania acquires Polish C-IED robotsAustralia resuscitates howitzer ambitionsSaab's Arexis jamming pod nears flight testingInterview – Oliver Mittelsdorf, Rheinmetall (17:50)Kate Martyr sits down inside the Lynx KF41 infantry fighting vehicle with Oliver Mittelsdorf, Rheinmetall Head of Sales Tracked Tactical Vehicles, to discuss recent developments of the Lynx platform and how the company is positioning the vehicle for the Australian Army’s Land 400 Phase 3 - Mounted Close Combat Capability requirement and the US Army’s Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) programme.Interview – Captain Erik Pittman, US Navy (26:00)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 (37:00)Tony also talks to Endre Lunde, the SVP of Communications for Nammo, about how the defence industry is increasingly looking to go green and the reasons why.Music and sound mixing provided by Fred Prest   

What is it like to fly the King Stallion? What’s the naval news from IMDEX Asia 2019? What was covered at the co-located UDT/EW Europe/ITEC show in Stockholm? This week on the Weekly Defence Podcast, we cover the ITEC, UDT and EW Europe shows in Stockholm, talk to Sikorsky’s CH-53K test pilot and our sponsor Nammo features in our Industry Voice segment. News Round Up (01:14)At IMDEX Asia 2019, the team saw numerous companies touting their naval wares – ST Engineering was present, showcasing their Vanguard 130 vessel, which seems to tick all the requirements the Singapore Navy has recently announced regarding their next multirole combat vessel. Drass Galeazzi, an Italian defence company, revealed that it was building multiple ‘midget submarines’ (ranging from 30m to 40m). However, the company was tight-lipped regarding who the submarines were for, not even hinting at a region. Meanwhile, Vard Marine has identified a possible replacement for the Protector-class OPVs operated by the Royal New Zealand Navy - the Vard 7-110 platform, itself the basis of the US Coast Guard’s future Offshore Patrol Cutter. The team also cover the various conferences that took place at the event, reporting on topics such as the threat of increased connectivity between maritime vessels and how it may be subverted, the threats posed by contractors accessing ships during their maintenance cycles and the continuing demand for innovation. IMDEX Asia 2019: Vard Marine identifies design for possible Protector replacementIMDEX Asia 2019 Daily News – Day OneIMDEX Asia 2019 Daily News – Day TwoIMDEX Asia 2019 Daily News – Day ThreeEvent Attendance – UDT, EW Europe and ITEC Report (13:17)Helen Haxell, air editor, Beth Maundrill, deputy land editor, and Kate Martyr, staff reporter, were in Stockholm attending the co-located UDT, EW Europe and ITEC events. They cover Leonardo’s BriteCloud being picked up by the US for trials, Sweden upgrading its naval fleet with two A26 submarines, as well as speaking with the CEO of JFD Sweden, Anders Magnerfelt, about military diver capabilities and CAE’s VP and general manager, Europe and Africa, Marc-Olivier Sabourin about military pilot training demands and key European training programmes.EW Europe 2019: Leonardo’s BriteCloud squares up to US testingUDT 2019: Swedish navy re-equips to face future challengesITEC 2019: CAE addresses pilot shortage (video)Interview – John Rucci, Sikorsky (25:37)Tim Martin, our senior reporter, met with John Rucci, Sikorsky test pilot, to talk about the CH-53K King Stallion. Set to replace the CH-47 Chinook, they discuss the capabilities of the prototype helicopter, what it’s like flying such a platform, and the current status of the program.Industry Voice (45:50)This week in our Industry Voice, Tim Martin talks to the SVP of Communications for Nammo, Endre Lunde, about new technologies and the state of innovation as displayed at the Sea Air Space show in Maryland. Music and sound mixing provided by Fred Prest

How are weaponised cranes aiding Turkey's insurgency fight? What’s the design philosophy behind industry’s development of autonomous aircraft? And why are IT companies making a play into the defence sector?This week on the Weekly Defence Podcast, we cover the IDEF defence exhibition in Turkey, talk to Northrop Grumman’s Director of Strategy of Autonomous Systems Strategy and our sponsor Nammo features in our Industry Voice segment. News Roundup (01:02)With the UK recently changing defence secretary following leaked plans to allow a Chinese company to build the UK’s 5G network, the team considers the implications.At the Sea Air Space 2019 exhibition, it emerged that the US Navy is assessing a service life extension for its fleet of MH-60R/S Sea Hawks while the FAA is signing off on the TH-119’s IFR certification.The team also covers India’s intention to purchase more Ka-31 airborne early warning helicopters, Romania’s consideration of the Puma IFV as an alternative to their Agilis project, the latest turnaround on the issue of the USS Harry S Truman and the shift in the UK’s budget for further Type 31e light frigates.Sea-Air-Space 2019: USN faces balancing act over Sea Hawk's lifeSea-Air-Space 2019: FAA to sign off on TH-119 IFR certificationIMDEX Asia 2019: India seeks more Ka-31 AEW helicoptersRomania looks to buy the Puma IFV as Agilis project alternativeSea-Air-Space 2019: US Navy defends USS Harry S Truman refuelling flip flopUK MoD restates ‘average’ benchmark for Type 31e Event Attendance – IDEF Report (15:20)Turkish companies were out in force at IDEF in Istanbul as the country moves quickly to develop its domestic defence industrial base. Beth Maundrill and Kate Martyr were at the event and cover MPG’s heavily armoured 8x8 crane currently being delivered to the Turkish armed forces, before talking about the next-generation 155mm self-propelled howitzer which reportedly is set to begin live fire exercises. IDEF 2019: Weaponised cranes to aid Turkey's insurgency fightIDEF 2019: Next generation howitzer production on the horizonInterview – Kristen Griffin, Director of Autonomous Systems Strategy, Northrop Grumman (25:01)Richard Thomas, our editor-in-chief, met with Kristen Griffin, Director of Autonomous Systems Strategy at Northrop Grumman, to talk about the company’s autonomous aircraft, the design philosophy behind them and what we can expect to see in the future.Industry Voice (35:25)This week in our Industry Voice, Tim Martin, our senior reporter, is at Sea Air Space in Maryland, where he talks to the SVP of Communications for Nammo, Endre Lunde, about the various IT companies present and their influence on the defence sector. Music and sound mixing provided by Fred Prest

This week on the Weekly Defence Podcast, we cover the findings of the just-released Shephard Naval Market Report, we speak to Keirin Joyce about the Australian Army’s need for a new UAV, and our sponsor Nammo features in this week’s Industry Voice segment.News Round Up (01:09)Coming to you from AUVSI, we cover the latest news regarding unmanned systems. Senior reporter Tim Martin discusses how the US Army, USSOCOM and the New Zealand Defence Force are increasingly looking towards the commercial sector to provide the solutions to their individual defence needs. Air domain editor Helen Haxell talks about Collins Aerospace and their recent achievement with their avionics system while editor-in-chief Richard Thomas outlines the continuing development of maritime systems by the US Navy.AUVSI 2019: Defence allies seek commercial collaborationsAUVSI 2019: Collins Aerospace’s civil avionic solutions aid military missionsAUVSI 2019: Unmanned technology driving naval changeShephard Analysis – Maritime Defence Market (09:09)Shephard’s director of analysis Matt Smith outlines his findings and predictions regarding the current state of the maritime defence 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 – Kieran Joyce, Australian Army (18:36)While 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 (34:11)This week in our Industry Voice, SVP of Communications for Nammo Endre Lunde talks about SIPRI’s annual report, which highlighted the continuing lead of the US and China in military expenditure, which itself has significantly increased. Music and sound mixing provided by Fred Prest

Who and why did the US Army choose to help develop its next-generation attack helicopter? And where to for NATO, on the 70th anniversary of the alliance?This week on the Weekly Defence Podcast, we discuss US Army aviation and the service's decision to select five companies for its future attack helicopter programme, we speak to Lockheed Martin about NATO and the UK’s place in it, and our sponsor Nammo talks about technology transfer reform in our Industry Voice segment. News Round Up (01:01)This week Tim Martin, our air reporter, covers the US Army’s shortlisting of its Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) competition. Helen Haxell reveals what she has recently been talking to SENA about – namely the Spanish Navy’s AB-212 upgrade programme. Beth Maundrill talks about the UK MoD’s contract with General Dynamics for the Foxhound 4x4 as well as Poland‘s new 155mm Krab self-propelled howitzers while Richard Thomas covers the situation with Damen Shipyards Group and the retirement of Russia’s Kirov battlecruisers. Insight: What next for the FARA five?Finishing touches for Spanish Navy’s AB-212 upgradesUK funds new Foxhound upgradesPoland receives first serial production Krab howitzersDamen points to continued shipbuilding opportunity despite registering lossInterview – Quad A (16:57)Tim Martin recently attended the Army Aviation Association of America summit in Nashville, where he discovered the latest developments in the FARA programme and Boeing’s Block 2 Chinook, as well as catching up with Jason Hawks, the Bell programme manager for the V-247 Vigilance.Interview – Peter Ruddock, Lockheed Martin UK (31:27)Helen Haxell sits down with Lockheed Martin’s UK CEO Peter Ruddock to discuss the 70th anniversary of NATO, and the role the UK has played in the organisation over the years. Industry Voice (38:12)This week, Tony Skinner our VP of content, and Endre Lunde, SVP of Communications for Nammo, talk about the Norwegian-American Defence and Homeland Security Industry Council in the context of possible defence technology transfer reforms.Music and sound mixing provided by Fred Prest

In this week’s episode of the Weekly Defence Podcast, we cover the latest defence news from the Asia-Pacific region, talk to Muddy Watters about EW Europe, and hear from Nammo in our Industry Voice segment. News Round Up (01:04)Land reporter Kate Martyr starts off this week’s News Round by covering the European Defence Agency’s continuing efforts to develop a hybrid drive train. Jack Richardson outlines the news regarding the UK MoD launching a competition to examine the utility of UUVs for the Royal Navy, as well as the continuing development of UK and India security ties. Continuing the maritime coverage, sea domain editor Richard Thomas highlights the upgraded A26 submarines bound for service with the Swedish Royal Navy while Helen Haxell covers the latest on the Pentagon's FARA programme. Finland joins EDA’s HybriDT projectUK explores potential for large unmanned naval submersibleUK and India deepen defence industrial tiesWhile Gotland slips out, A26 efforts ramp upQuad A 2019: AVX and L3T show FARA handQuad A 2019: MD Helicopters Swift disqualified from FARAAsia-Pacific defence developments (11:22)Richard Thomas sits down with Gordon Arthur to talk about the host of defence exhibitions he has attended across the Asia-Pacific region of late, and the news that has emerged from them.Interview – Muddy Watters, EW Europe (20:44)Helen Haxell has a conversation with Muddy Watters, AOC President, about interoperability and NATO’s role in combating the threat posed by the electronic warfare capabilities of Russia, as well as the EW Europe show. Industry Voice (33:04)In this week’s Industry Voice, our VP of content Tony Skinner and Endre Lunde, SVP of Communications for Nammo, discuss cybersecurity and implication for the defence sector.Music and sound mixing provided by Fred Prest

This week in the Weekly Defence Podcast, we cover all the news from the LAAD exhibition in Rio Janeiro, talk to Jeff Smith from Harris about US Army communications modernisation, and hear from our sponsor Nammo.• News Round Up (00:49)This week, land reporter Kate Martyr talks about the new armed reconnaissance vehicle that SAIC is developing for the US military and its potential further uses as an Expeditionary Advanced Operating Base.Sea reporter Jack Richardson  covers his recent trip to the Ocean Business show in Southampton, discussing the variety of unmanned systems and associated hardware that was on show, before moving onto the latest financial troubles plaguing the US navy’s Columbia class submarines. New armed reconnaissance vehicle for US militaryGAO disputes reliability of Columbia class costs• Deep Dive –  LAAD (9:50)Beth 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.LAAD 2019: News round up from Rio (video)• Interview – Jeff Smith, Harris (22:00)Our deputy land editor Beth Maundrill sat down recently with Jeff Smith, VP of business development at Harris, to talk about the US Army’s modernisation programme and the enabling technologies Harris provides.• Industry Voice (34:15)Our VP of content, Tony Skinner has a chat with Endre Lunde, SVP of Communications for Nammo, about the need to further change public perceptions about the role of domestic defence industries.Music and sound mixing provided by Fred Prest

This week in the Weekly Defence Podcast, we head to Huntsville to take a look at AUSA Global Force, chat to Airbus Helicopters about the H135 and TH-XX programmes, and hear from our sponsor Nammo about developments in the space sector.News Round Up (01:00)In the news round this week, sea reporter Jack Richardson covers the latest news from Brazil, from the UK increasing trade ties to the latest regarding the Tamandaré-class corvette (CCT) programme. Editor-in-chief Richard Thomas then covers the recent boost to the Royal Navy’s MCM capability, as well as the introduction of the new Danish APC, the Piranha 5.Senior reporter Tim Martin talks about the latest MALE UAV to come out of Turkish Aerospace – the Anka Aksungur – and rounding things up is Helen Haxell talking about yet another suspension of KC-46A deliveries to the USAF.LAAD 2019: UK continues to strengthen naval ties in South AmericaÁguas Azuis consortium selected for Brazilian corvettesOpinion: Negotiating the MCM minefieldDanish Army receives new Piranha 5 APCTurkish Aerospace prepare for Anka Aksungur productionUSAF suspends KC-46A tanker deliveries againShow review – AUSA Global Force (14:40)Deputy land editor Beth Maundrill is with reporter Kate Martyr provide an overview of all the news from AUSA Global Force, from the development of the optionally manned fighting vehicle to the RAVEN soft-kill jamming system on display at the show.US Army ploughs on with Bradley replacementAUSA Global 2019: BAE Systems looks to impress with technology demonstrator vehicleInterview – Airbus Helicopters (23:44)Tim Martin speaks to Airbus Helicopters’ VP of Military Helicopter Programs, Scott Tompak, about the H135 and TH-XX programs, and the company’s recent decision to use the Pratt & Whitney PW206B3 engine for the helicopter it is proposing for the US Navy’s helicopter trainer replacement programme.Airbus selects PW206B3 engine for H135 trainer proposalAirbus pleads autorotation defence ahead of US Navy trainer awardIndustry Voice (35:10)Tony Skinner, VP of content, talks to Endre Lunde, SVP of Communications for Nammo, about the development of space technologies and the difficulties European companies face in the field.Music and sound mixing provided by