German Chinook engine support, South American funding update and radar that ‘hears’

 In  this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast we discuss attack submarines global market, key programmes and challenges ahead; and we learn about radar innovation and applications in an interview with a USN research laboratory.

Newsround (00:42)

Indra has worked with the Spanish Navy to develop a technology demonstrator based on unsupervised AI.

In the Soprene Project, a demonstration AI engine was designed to predict malfunctions and improve the maintenance and availability of Alvaro de Bazan-class frigates and Meteoro-class OPVs.

In the United States, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper has urged higher spending on shipbuilding to support what he described as a ‘game-changer’ study for fleet design to deliver a USN of more than 355 ships.

However, he failed to commit to a precise spending level for shipbuilding. 

A sense of déjà vu reigns in Croatia, where familiar names will compete in a resurrected tender to replace the air force’s fleet of MiG-21s.

Offers came from France, Israel, Sweden and the US. The latter two are proposing new-build solutions – respectively, the F-16 Block 70  and Gripen C/D. In contrast, France (with Rafale) and Israel (with the F-16C/D Barak 2020)  are offering second-hand aircraft.

News in focus

Boeing, Honeywell and Rolls-Royce have jointly reached an agreement for T55 engine in-service support as part of a wider CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopter offer to Germany. What does this move mean for Germany?  Air Editor Tim Martin discusses.

Land Reporter Flavia Camargos Pereira reports South American potential procurement as Argentina and Uruguay seek to kickstart modernisation with special funds across their air, land and naval domains.

Deep dive: Defence Insight on SSK programmes (18:05)

Senior Editor Naval Richard Thomas hosts an interview with Shephard’s Analyst Harriet Haywood on attack submarine procurement, global markets, ongoing programmes and challenges ahead for the industry as a result of the pandemic.

Interview: USN Research Laboratory (30:36)

Shephard’s contributor Gerrard Cowan is on the line with Christopher Rodenbeck,  Head of Radar Division at the USN Research Laboratory to take a plunge into the world of radar. They discuss  millimetre-wave radar applications research. And multidisciplinary advanced development programmes for radar and sensor applications. 

Industry Voice (44:38)
Creative Director Tony Skinner speaks to Andy Kessler VP and Business Area Director of Viasat next-generation tactical data links business about the expansion of Link 16 over the years to fulfil a broad range of missions.

This episode was produced by Noemi Distefano