US Navy ruptures, AsPac developments and situational awareness on the modern battlefield

In this episode of the Weekly Defence Podcast we bring you the latest defence news from Asia Pacific and around the world, we talk situational awareness on the modern battlefield and we consider the outlook for defence events in 2020.

Newsround (00:40)
In the air domain, Air Editor Tim Martin discusses the US Army’s delay of a first recoverable flight for the X-61-A Gremlins Air Vehicle following Dynetics’ reveal of an ongoing reshaping of flight test activities at the US Army’s Dugway Proving Ground, Utah. 

In naval news, Senior Editor-Naval Richard Thomas discusses the resignation of the Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly on 7 April. The decision came after Modly removed the captain of the coronavirus-hit USS Theodore Roosevelt from command for writing a letter raising concerns on the safety of sailors onboard. 

In the land domain, Land Reporter Flavia Camargos Pereira talks us through the challenges of the Brazilian Army‘s new procurement programme which includes the acquisition of four new types of vehicles and upgrade to its Leopard MBTs.

Deep Dive – News from the Asia- Pacific (20:33)
Asia Pacific editor Gordon Arthur is on the podcast this week to discuss the major news from the region over the past few weeks.

Australia
Leidos Australia announced on 7 April the UAV platform that it is offering for the Australian Army's Project Land 129 Phase 3 requirement for a new tactical UAV to replace the in-service Shadow 200.

Japan
On 19 March, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) commissioned the first of two Maya-class destroyers in Yokohama. With a budget of over 1.3 billion US dollars for its construction, JS Maya (DDG-179) is a guided missile destroyer capable of ballistic missile defence (BMD).

News from Japan also include news plans for the country’s air forces to develop a new air superiority fighter as its fleet of F-2A and F-2B fighter ages.

China
Despite the COVID-19 outbreak China announced on 25 March that the country begun its first export deliveries of the man-portable HJ-12E ATGM to an undisclosed customer.The HJ-12E is an export version of the regular Red Arrow 12 (HJ-12) missile system.

Interview: Roke (34:53)
VP content Tony Skinner speaks to Tom Eskriett, the campaign lead for information advantage at Roke, about the cruciality of situational awareness on the modern battlefield.

Industry Voice: Nammo (54:08)
As defence industry events continue to suffer the impact of the pandemic with ongoing cancellation affecting major tradeshows around the globe, Tony grabs a chat with Endre Lunde, senior vice president communications at Nammo, to consider the long-term implications.