R&D - Weeklydefencenews

March 20, 2026
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Land Platforms

M1151 Humvee: Armored Battlefield Icon

The M1151 variant of the Humvee reflects the platform’s transformation from a light utility vehicle into a combat-ready armored system. Developed to withstand threats encountered in modern conflicts, it...

March 20, 2026
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Communication and Electronics

$71M Deal for AI Fleet Maintenance

Gecko Robotics has secured a major contract with the US Navy to deploy advanced robotic and AI-driven solutions for ship maintenance and inspection. The initiative aims to improve fleet...

March 20, 2026
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Unmanned Systems

Hivemind Integrated Into Talon IQ Test

Northrop Grumman and Shield AI have demonstrated the successful integration of Hivemind autonomy software with the Talon IQ test platform, marking a milestone in autonomous aviation. The system directed...

March 20, 2026
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Air Platforms

Brigade-Scale Aviation Test in Korea

During the Talon Reach exercise, US Army forces in South Korea demonstrated their ability to conduct extended-range aviation operations, flying more than 2,000 kilometers before carrying out a simulated...

March 19, 2026
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Air Platforms

NH90 Guide: Europe’s Modern Utility Helicopter

The NH90 helicopter was developed to meet the growing need for a flexible military aircraft capable of operating in both land and maritime environments. Built through a European collaboration,...

March 19, 2026
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Air Platforms

US Navy Creates Five New Acquisition Offices

The US Navy has introduced a new acquisition structure by creating five portfolio-based executive offices to improve efficiency and reduce delays. Each office will oversee specific areas, ensuring faster...

March 18, 2026
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Air Platforms

USMC H-1 Fleet Gets SPINE Upgrade

Bell Textron has finalized the initial integration of its SPINE upgrade package for the US Marine Corps’ AH-1Z and UH-1Y helicopters, advancing efforts to modernize legacy H-1 platforms. The...

March 18, 2026
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Air Platforms

P-8 Software Upgrade for South Korea

Boeing has secured a $38.7-million contract from the Pentagon to modernize the Republic of Korea’s P-8A Poseidon aircraft through advanced mission software upgrades. The project centers on deploying the...

March 18, 2026
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Air Platforms

IL-76 Fleet Life Extension Planned

Facing a capability gap in heavy airlift operations, the Indian Air Force is focusing on extending the operational life of its IL-76 fleet through comprehensive modernization initiatives. Originally inducted...

March 18, 2026
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Weapons and Munition

NAL-Solar Munition Set for 2028 Tests

India is accelerating efforts to develop an advanced loitering munition UAV through a collaboration between CSIR-NAL and Solar Defence & Aerospace. The proposed system is a long-endurance “kamikaze” drone...