Walking the halls of AUSA, upgrading the capabilities of the AH-64E Apache and a look at the fixed wing market

In this episode of the Weekly Defence Podcast, we are on the floor of AUSA talking lasers, synthetic training and QinetiQ’s expansion into the US, and look at enhancements to the Apache attack helicopter.

• News Roundup (00:37)

On the news this week…

Editor-in-Chief Richard Thomas chats to Director of Analysis Matthew Smith about the military fixed-wing aircraft market, following Shephard’s Defence Insight’s team recent study into the sector.

Meanwhile, Deputy Air Editor Tim Martin provides an update to the US Army’s replacement of its RQ-7 Shadow under the Future Tactical UAS (FTUAS) programme, including an interesting development surrounding hybrid flight kit licensing authority arrangements.

AUSA 2019: US Army unconcerned by FTUAS hybrid flight kit permutations

• Deep Dive – AUSA walkaround (11:09)

With AUSA 2019 such a major fixture on the annual defence calendar, Shephard Media’s Land Editor Beth Maundrill provides coverage from the show floor.

QinetiQ – With QinetiQ announcing that it has agreed to acquire Manufacturing Techniques (MTEQ), more than doubling the size of its US operations, Beth speaks to Steve Wadey, CEO of QinetiQ; Jeff Yorsz, President of QinetiQ North America; and Mary Williams, President at Manufacturing Techniques (MTEQ) about the implications of the deal.

Cubic – The US Army is developing a new Synthetic Training Environment to enhance LVC training. Robert Kalebaugh, Vice President Business Development at Cubic Global Defense, explains the company’s role.

Northrop Grumman – Mark Skinner, Vice President of Directed Energy, and Michael O'Hara, Manager of M-SHORAD Programs, outline the company’s directed energy efforts on M-SHORAD with the US Army.

• Interview – Lockheed Martin (28:33)

The US Army recently awarded Lockheed Martin a $40.6 million contract to produce Modernized Turrets (M-TUR) for the AH-64E Apache helicopter, an upgrade to the current M-TADS/PNVS system.

Deputy Air Editor Tim Martin speaks to Tom Eldredge, director of Apache Fire Control programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, about the enhancements.

Music and sound mixing provided by Fred Prest