Virtual I/ITSEC 2020, F-35A nuclear weapons test and all the news

In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast, we discuss the virtual I/ITSEC exhibition with our Military Training Editor, and following the Sandia National Laboratories test which saw a mock B-61-12 weapons drop from an F-35A, we talk to the  director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists for an expert insight on this new capability.

Newsround (00:51)

In Russia, Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov confirmed on 7 December that ‘proactive’ work is underway on a powered exoskeleton, although the Russian MoD has not yet defined its specific requirements.

In the US, efforts continue to place Joint All Domain Command and Control firmly in the Pentagon's long-term acquisition plans.

The US Air Force created a new avenue for prototype Advanced Battle Management System projects to be adopted into the DoD’s formal procurement portfolio.

Still in the US, Taiwan has been given the green light to receive  mobile communications equipment under the Foreign Military Sales programme. 

In France, the next generation aircraft carrier (PANG) programme was formally approved by President Emanuel Macron on 8 December.

News in Focus

News Editor Ben Vogel highlights a report on how the conflict in the Nagorno-Karabakh region  might affect future defence procurement. UCAVs and loitering munitions are becoming a more attractive prospect, but operators of MBTs face protection problems.

In news from Europe, Air Editor Tim Martin discusses what’s new for the Franco-German-Spanish FCAS programme. Substantial development progress is underway after key approval from air force leaders.

Land Reporter Flavia Camargos Pereira talks about the recent developments for the US Army Soldier Protection System programme. She looks at some features of the programme and discusses where it stands today. 

Deep Dive: Insight into military simulation and training (21:05)

Ben Vogel is on the line with Military Training Editor Trevor Nash to discuss some of the main technologies and new systems in training and simulation, including takeaways from the virtual I/ITSEC show.

Interview: Federation of American Scientists  (35:23)

Tim Martin speaks to Hans Kristensen, director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists, about the recent test carried out by Sandia National Laboratories which saw a mock B-61-12 weapons drop from an F-35A. Does this mean any air force operating the F-35 will have a nuclear capability?

Industry Voice (58:15)
Creative Director Tony Skinner speaks to Josh Melin, Product Line Director at Honeywell Connected Enterprise Aerospace, about the requirements and opportunities surrounding the Military Base of the Future. What is the role that digital solutions play when it comes to military logistics and maintenance operations?