UK procurement fiascos and FLRAA update

07/01/21 • 50 min

In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast, the Shephard news team looks at some of the highlights emerging from the latest UK National Audit Office (NAO) report on MoD procurement in the air, land and sea domains; and we talk to Bell about the progress of the V-280 Valor programme to meet US Army Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) requirements.

Newsround [00:30]

The Royal Canadian Navy on 26 June commissioned Harry DeWolf as the first of eight planned Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships, as the country seeks to bolster its capabilities in the High North.

At the SOFINS show this week in Bordeaux, Internest and Zodiac Milpro announced joint development of a take-off and landing platform for autonomous UAVs on rigid hull inflatable boats.

New helicopters for the Japanese army have moved a step closer to reality now after development of the UH-2 utility platform was declared complete on 24 June.

In Focus

Defence Journalist Alix Valenti, Air Editor Tim Martin and Senior Land Reporter Tim Fish discuss all key points emerging from the recent NAO report as the UK MoD faces programmes delays, cancellations, fall in number of platform upgrades across the air, land and sea domains.

Interview- Bell on V-280 Valor [27:32]

Tim Martin is on the line with Ryan Ehinger, VP and programme director of the FLRAA Future Long Range Assault Aircraft programme/ V-280 Valor at Bell, to discuss the progress of the platform which has now entered Competitive Design and Risk Reduction Phase 2.

This episode was brought to you in partnership with our sponsor Raytheon Intelligence and Space.
Produced by Noemi Distefano with music and sound mixing by Fred Prest.

Newsround [00:30]

The Royal Canadian Navy on 26 June commissioned Harry DeWolf as the first of eight planned Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships, as the country seeks to bolster its capabilities in the High North.

At the SOFINS show this week in Bordeaux, Internest and Zodiac Milpro announced joint development of a take-off and landing platform for autonomous UAVs on rigid hull inflatable boats.

New helicopters for the Japanese army have moved a step closer to reality now after development of the UH-2 utility platform was declared complete on 24 June.

In Focus

Interview- Bell on V-280 Valor [27:32]

This episode was brought to you in partnership with our sponsor Raytheon Intelligence and Space.
Produced by Noemi Distefano with music and sound mixing by Fred Prest.

Previous Episode

Aussie Hawkei troubles, FMS training market and C-UAS solutions for the Middle East

In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast, the Shephard news team covers news from the simulation and training, land and sea domains; in an interview with MARSS we look at the capabilities the company is offering to Saudi Arabia, as the country shapes up its Vision 2030 policy; and our sponsor Raytheon Intelligence and Space provides an insight on space-base assets and their contribution to missile warning and missile defence.

Newsround [01:23]

HMS Defender was in the news twice this week as it firstly hosted representatives of the UK and Ukrainian MoDs plus Babcock who signed a comprehensive agreement covering new ships, training, and the regeneration of naval facilities; secondly, on 23 June, the Russian MoD claimed to have fired warning shots during the Type 45 destroyer’s passage close to the coast of Russian-annexed Crimea. The UK MoD disputed this account.

French company Novadem will use next week’s SOFINS special forces show to present the integration of its NX70 micro-drone with Pilar gunshot warning and localisation technology from Metravib Defence.

The US DoD on 21 June announced that three ‘unique weapons capabilities’ will be developed for and installed on F-35A and F-35B aircraft by Lockheed Martin for the UK and Italy.

Honeywell is providing its TALIN Inertial Land Navigation Technology to the Australian Defence Forces to enhance the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System.

In focus:

Defence Journalist Alix Valenti hosts a round table discussion with Military Training Editor Trevor Nash, Senior Land Reporter Tim Fish and News Editor Ben Vogel.

The team looks at the Training & Simulation symposium which took place in Orlando, as well as the Argentinian and Australian land procurement programmes.

Interview- MARSS Group [28:37]

Multimedia Journalist Noemi Distefano speaks to Andy Forbes, MD of MARSS KSA Office, about the work his company is doing with local industry from a defence perspective to support the Saudi Vision 2030 framework.

Industry voice- Raytheon Intelligence and Space [46:23]

Many people do not realise how much of the missile defence mission occurs in space. However, space-based assets are essential for missile warning and missile defence, and the mission is evolving, as Rob Aalseth and Melissa Morrison Ellis from Raytheon Technologies explain to Tony Skinner.

This episode was brought to you in partnership with our sponsor Raytheon intelligence and space.

Produced by Noemi Distefano with music and sound mixing by Fred Prest.

Next Episode

Swiss F-35 decision, ‘Google for warships’ and North African AFV market

In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast we focus on Swiss F-35 procurement, naval sustainment and the market for armoured vehicles in North Africa.

Newsround [00:39]

In Germany, the Bundeswehr is pushing ahead with an ambitious upgrade of its entire fleet of Puma IFVs as it heads towards the development of a new armoured division.

In Singapore, the Navy is rolling out of augmented-reality glasses to its naval fleet, enabling crews on deployments to rectify faults with subject matter experts back onshore.

The Czech Army's artillery fire control system acquisition programme is finally set to come to fruition this year following COVID-related delays.

In the UK, the Defence Science Technology Laboratory has received funding to work with industry on innovative new missile systems by 2023.

In Focus

Defence Journalist Alix Valenti, Air Editor Tim Martin, Senior Land Reporter Tim Fish and Senior Naval Reporter Harry Lye engage in a round table discussion that covers the latest developments from Switzerland in the Air2030 programme, plus contracts for the UK Royal Navy and the Royal Australian Navy that will enhance ship sustainment in the coming years.

Deep Dive – Defence Insight on Northern Africa armoured vehicles procurement [24:00]

Multimedia Journalist Noemi Distefano speaks to Senior Land Analyst at Shephard Defence Insight Sonny Butterworth about the market for armoured vehicles in Northern Africa. In this troubled region and hotbed of terrorist activity, militaries face new requirements for land forces.
This episode was produced by Noemi Distefano with music and sound mixing by Fred Prest.