Defence & Space

Spectra Group unveils Troposcatter on the Move (TOTM) to Asia at Indo Defence

Spectra Group is unveiling its new Troposcatter on the Move (TOTM) capability at Indo Defence, which delivers robust, secure, high-bandwidth…

2025-06-12 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Hanwha Systems and BAE Systems Sign MOU to Build Next-Generation Reconnaissance Satellite System

Hanwha Systems, a leading South Korean defense and aerospace technology company, announced today that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)…

2025-06-10 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

Karkonosze Program: A Game-Changer for the Polish Air Force’s Tankers?

The Polish Air Force has been requesting the acquisition of aerial refueling tankers for years. The program to procure a multi-role transport…

2025-05-23 | Sławek Zagórski | 5 minutes

Swedish A26 Submarine and Poland’s Orka Program

In early April, Saab organized a visit for representatives of the Polish defense media to the Saab Kockums shipyard, located in Karlskrona…

2025-05-08 | Przemysław Gurgurewicz | 16 minutes

SBU on Operation Spider’s Web Details: Was a Tu-160 Strategic Bomber Destroyed?

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has released a video compilation showing all FPV drone strikes carried out with Osa-type drones…

2025-06-07 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

Polish Ministry of National Defence on the Orka Program: Progressing According to Plan and Without Delays

The Ministry of National Defence responded to an open letter from the former crew members of the decommissioned ORP Sokół submarine…

2025-06-07 | Redakcja | 5 minutes

Advancing multi-domain EW operations: Rohde & Schwarz unveils latest innovations at AOC Europe

Rohde & Schwarz demonstrates the next generation of SIGINT/EW systems, sensor fusion and signal analysis solutions, designed to meet the evolving…

2025-05-12 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

Iberian Blackout: Is Poland Prepared for a Similar Scenario?

The blackout on the Iberian Peninsula has prompted a few cautious questions about whether Poland is secure in the event of…

2025-05-02 | Krzysztof Zagórski | 6 minutes

Spectra Group unveils Troposcatter on the Move (TOTM) to Asia at Indo Defence

Spectra Group is unveiling its new Troposcatter on the Move (TOTM) capability at Indo Defence, which delivers robust, secure, high-bandwidth…

2025-06-12 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Poland: GROTowisko-25 Conference Begins Next Week

On the weekend of June 14–15, 2025, the next edition of GROTowisko will take place. Once again, the military complex…

2025-06-04 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Spectra Group unveils Troposcatter on the Move (TOTM) to Asia at Indo Defence

Spectra Group is unveiling its new Troposcatter on the Move (TOTM) capability at Indo Defence, which delivers robust, secure, high-bandwidth…

2025-06-12 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Hanwha Systems and BAE Systems Sign MOU to Build Next-Generation Reconnaissance Satellite System

Hanwha Systems, a leading South Korean defense and aerospace technology company, announced today that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)…

2025-06-10 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

Galvion awarded FBI contract for their Hellbender FE helmet

Galvion announces the successful award of a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) contract for their Galvion Hellbender Federal Edition (FE) helmet…

2025-06-09 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

IDET & PYROS 2025: KALAN Tracked Amphibious Vehicle as the Successor to the PTS

During the International Fire Fighting Equipment and Services Fair PYROS (held alongside IDET 2025 in Brno), the Czech company New…

2025-05-30 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

Spectra Group unveils Troposcatter on the Move (TOTM) to Asia at Indo Defence

Spectra Group is unveiling its new Troposcatter on the Move (TOTM) capability at Indo Defence, which delivers robust, secure, high-bandwidth…

2025-06-12 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Hanwha Systems and BAE Systems Sign MOU to Build Next-Generation Reconnaissance Satellite System

Hanwha Systems, a leading South Korean defense and aerospace technology company, announced today that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)…

2025-06-10 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

SBU on Operation Spider’s Web Details: Was a Tu-160 Strategic Bomber Destroyed?

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has released a video compilation showing all FPV drone strikes carried out with Osa-type drones…

2025-06-07 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

Polish Minister of Defence Travels to the U.S. for Meeting with Pete Hegseth

A press conference was held at the 1st Airlift Base with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz…

2025-05-26 | Redakcja | 5 minutes

Hanwha Systems and BAE Systems Sign MOU to Build Next-Generation Reconnaissance Satellite System

Hanwha Systems, a leading South Korean defense and aerospace technology company, announced today that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)…

2025-06-10 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

Airbus, CNES and VAST reaffirm commitment to strengthening EO capabilities in Vietnam

Airbus Defence and Space, the French Space Agency, and the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology have signed a Declaration of…

2025-05-26 | Redakcja | 2 minutes
Shooting

Streamlight TLR-7 HL-X – a Bayonet of Light for Your Weapon

The devil’s not so scary once you shine a light on him—and he’s certainly easier to neutralize in the spotlight. A weapon-mounted flashlight…

2025-06-09 | Anna Mielczarek | 6 minutes

Mactronic M-Fire Guardian – A New Flashlight for Professionals

Mactronic is introducing a new angle flashlight, the M-Fire Guardian. According to the manufacturer, it is the first angle flashlight with red…

2025-06-04 | Michał Ihnatów | 6 minutes

Streamlight TLR-7 HL-X – a Bayonet of Light for Your Weapon

The devil’s not so scary once you shine a light on him—and he’s certainly easier to neutralize in the spotlight. A weapon-mounted flashlight…

2025-06-09 | Anna Mielczarek | 6 minutes

Mactronic M-Fire Guardian – A New Flashlight for Professionals

Mactronic is introducing a new angle flashlight, the M-Fire Guardian. According to the manufacturer, it is the first angle flashlight with red…

2025-06-04 | Michał Ihnatów | 6 minutes

Protective Rescuer Vest – BC Arms Archangel

The Archangel Rescuer Vest is the result of a collaboration between Polish companies Currahee and BC Arms. It was created in…

2025-05-16 | Mariusz Rams | 6 minutes

Direct Action Spitfire Plate Carrier – Part 1: Testing the Carrier

Nowadays, the market offers a wide range of options in the gear and load-bearing equipment category. One of the most basic…

2025-05-08 | Michał Gaweł | 14 minutes

Enforce Tac 2025 starts on February 24th

Enforce Tac is an international trade fair aimed at law enforcement officers, experts from government agencies, and representatives of the…

2025-01-30 | Michał Ihnatów | 4 minutes

POLSECURE: Holsters HPE Poland offer for uniformed services

At the 3rd International Police and Public Security Fair POLSECURE 2024 in Kielce, Holsters HPE Poland presented its offer for…

2024-05-01 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

MSBS GROT BULLPUP conversion now available

Fabryka Broni “Łucznik” Radom is introducing long-awaited conversion kits for the MSBS GROT S16 FB-M1 and S10 FB-M1 semi-automatic rifles,…

2025-06-02 | Michał Ihnatów | 3 minutes

IDET 2025: Grand Power Showcases M4M1 Carbines for the Slovak Armed Forces

At the International Defence and Security Technologies Fair IDET 2023 in the Czech Republic, Grand Power — a Slovak firearms manufacturer — showcased…

2025-05-28 | Michał Ihnatów | 4 minutes

Setting Up a Shooting Belt: An Example with Clawgear

To assist with shooting training and beyond, various belts and gear configurations have been developed and customized to suit individual needs. It’s…

2024-11-28 | Łukasz Kołodziejski | 14 minutes

Weapon light: a practical tool for everyday service. How to choose?

In the world of armed forces, where every second can determine the outcome of an operation, precision and effectiveness are…

2024-08-29 | Redakcja | 7 minutes

Over 100% increase in gun permits in Poland in 2024

The Polish Police have released statistical data on firearm permits issued in 2024. An increasing number of Poles now hold…

2025-02-20 | Michał Ihnatów | 5 minutes

Firearms In Poland 2023: Number of permits continues to grow

The National Police Headquarters has released statistics regarding the number of firearm permits and firearms themselves in the hands of…

2024-02-17 | Michał Ihnatów | 5 minutes

5 Best Value ATN Rifle Scopes Under €1500

ATN is a leading manufacturer of daytime optics, smart night vision, and thermal vision technology. The innovative features and ergonomic designs…

2022-11-11 | Redakcja | 8 minutes

MILMAG Visits Grand Power

Grand Power is a Slovak manufacturer of the acknowledged good quality firearms. Take part in our guided tour with English subtitles.

2022-05-23 | Redakcja | 1 minutes

Streamlight TLR-7 HL-X – a Bayonet of Light for Your Weapon

The devil’s not so scary once you shine a light on him—and he’s certainly easier to neutralize in the spotlight. A weapon-mounted flashlight…

2025-06-09 | Anna Mielczarek | 6 minutes

Protective Rescuer Vest – BC Arms Archangel

The Archangel Rescuer Vest is the result of a collaboration between Polish companies Currahee and BC Arms. It was created in…

2025-05-16 | Mariusz Rams | 6 minutes

EOTECH Holographic Sight – History, Technology, Practice

The holographic sight is a device known for nearly 30 years and used by professionals around the world. A favorite sight of many…

2024-09-02 | Michał Gaweł | 12 minutes

E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Aircraft Delivery Contracts for Export Customers

Northrop Grumman and Rockwell Collins have signed additional contracts in the delivery programs of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye early warning aircraft for their two sole foreign operators: Japan and France.

On Friday, January 31, 2025, the American companies Northrop Grumman and Rockwell Collins signed additional contracts in the delivery programs of E-2D Advanced Hawkeye early warning aircraft for the two, currently sole, export users: the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (Kōkū Jieitai) and the French Navy (Marine Nationale).

Japanese E-2D Advanced Hawkeye / Photo: Northrop Grumman

Japan

The first contract, valued at 57,360,906 USD, was signed between Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. Military Aircraft Systems (a division of Northrop Grumman) based in Melbourne, Florida, and NAVAIR (Naval Air Systems Command) of the U.S. Navy, headquartered in Patuxent River, Maryland.

Its scope includes the integration of second-generation SATURN (Second Generation Anti-Jam Tactical Ultra-High Frequency Radio) radios, compliant with NATO standards and successors to HAVE QUICK II systems, as well as the acquisition of a systems integration laboratory for the configuration of Japanese aircraft.

The work will be carried out in Melbourne, Florida (47.9%), West Chester, Ohio (29.5%), Cedar Rapids, Iowa (11.6%), Woodland Hills, California (5%), McLean, Virginia (1.6%), Falls Church, Virginia (1.1%), and various locations within and outside the continental United States (3.3%). Completion is expected by February 2030. The contract is fully funded through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, and its funding will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year (September 30, 2025).

Japan operates 13 aircraft of this type, with a contract for the production of five additional units signed on July 19, 2024. Deliveries of the first aircraft began in May 2019. The modernized E-2D aircraft complement and will eventually fully replace the older E-2C Hawkeye, which were originally ordered in 1981 and 1983 in a total of 13 units and have been in service since January 1987. The aircraft are assigned to the 601st and 603rd Squadrons, based at Misawa and Naha Air Bases. They are supplemented by larger Boeing E-767 aircraft, which have been in operation since 2000 and are stationed with the 602nd Squadron at Hamamatsu Air Base. All these units fall under the Airborne Early Warning & Control Group (Keikaikoukuutai) of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF).

Visualization of one of the future French E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft / Image: Northrop Grumman

France

The second contract, valued at 65 million USD, is set to be signed between Rockwell Collins Simulation and Training Solutions (a division of Collins Aerospace and RTX) based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division in Orlando, Florida.

The contract is expected to include the HITS-A (Hawkeye Integrated Training System for Aircrew) combat training system for French E-2D crews, as well as related technical data and training (instructor/operator, maintenance, and cybersecurity). The work will be carried out in Sterling, Virginia (70%), Tampa, Florida (20%), and Lorient, France (10%), with completion expected by July 2028. Funding will come entirely from the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

Let us recall that on December 10 of last year, Northrop Grumman announced the start of production for the first of three French E-2D aircraft.

The French Naval Aviation (Aéronavale) currently operates three older E-2C Hawkeye aircraft, assigned to Flottille 4F squadron. Typically, two of them are permanently stationed aboard the nuclear aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle (R91). The squadron was established on July 2, 2000, at Lann-Bihoué Air Base, near the town of Quéven in the Morbihan department. France is the only country outside the United States that operates Hawkeye aircraft from an aircraft carrier. In February and March 2022, a U.S. E-2D conducted test takeoffs and landings on the French carrier.

E-2D Advanced Hawkeye

Compared to the E-2C, the Advanced Hawkeye features new electronic equipment, including an upgraded radar, avionics, color cockpit displays, as well as enhanced Allison/Rolls-Royce T56-A-427A turboprop engines and fuel tank-equipped wings. As a result, the maximum flight endurance without aerial refueling has increased from 5 to 8 hours.

As mentioned, Japan and France are the only export users of the E-2D. The U.S. Navy operates 51 aircraft (out of 76 ordered), reflecting its status as the operator of the largest carrier-based aviation fleet in the world.

The manufacturer is currently conducting marketing efforts for the E-2D, particularly in India, Egypt, Taiwan, and Poland. Although Poland has introduced into service two used Saab 340B AEW-300 aircraft purchased from Sweden, it remains interested in acquiring brand-new aircraft in the long term (such as the competing Saab GlobalEye, which is attracting growing interest from various countries). Israel has opted not to proceed with the E-2D purchase. If no additional customers emerge, the E-2D production line in St. Augustine, Florida, will be shut down following the completion of the French and Japanese contracts.

X