Defence & Space

The AH-64D Apache is already in Poland. A powerful reinforcement for the Army Aviation

In Inowrocław, Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz took part in the reception of the…

2025-06-17 | Rafał Muczyński | 7 minutes

SIPRI: Nuclear risks grow as new arms race looms

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute published a report entitled SIPRI Yearbook 2025, which, among other things, discusses the issue of…

2025-06-16 | Redakcja | 10 minutes

SIPRI: Nuclear risks grow as new arms race looms

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute published a report entitled SIPRI Yearbook 2025, which, among other things, discusses the issue of…

2025-06-16 | Redakcja | 10 minutes

Polish 35 mm SA-35 Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun with PIT-Radwar

During the recent MSPO trade fair in Kielce, the company PIT-Radwar presented its proposal for a 35 mm self-propelled anti-aircraft gun…

2025-06-13 | Przemysław Gurgurewicz | 13 minutes

The AH-64D Apache is already in Poland. A powerful reinforcement for the Army Aviation

In Inowrocław, Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz took part in the reception of the…

2025-06-17 | Rafał Muczyński | 7 minutes

SIPRI: Nuclear risks grow as new arms race looms

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute published a report entitled SIPRI Yearbook 2025, which, among other things, discusses the issue of…

2025-06-16 | Redakcja | 10 minutes

SKW Cryptographic Security Certificate for Polish Comp@n Radio Set from the WB Group

The WB Group announced that the Comp@n system radio set, developed by its subsidiary Radmor, along with the Cryptographic Document Management…

2025-06-14 | Redakcja | 4 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

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

Taking Responsibility for Veterans – Rheinmetall participates in the first National Veterans’ Day

German-based Rheinmetall AG participates in the first National Veterans’ Day of the Bundeswehr. Numerous Rheinmetall sites set an example.

2025-06-16 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

The Rohde & Schwarz R&S M3AR radio family reaches 10,000 unit milestone

Rohde & Schwarz has achieved a major milestone with the sale of over 10,000 R&S M3AR radios worldwide, underscoring its dedication to delivering cutting-edge communication…

2025-06-16 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Poland: Buffer zone on the border with Belarus extended for another 90 days

The Minister of the Interior and Administration has signed a regulation introducing a temporary ban on presence in a designated area within the…

2025-06-11 | Redakcja | 4 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

The AH-64D Apache is already in Poland. A powerful reinforcement for the Army Aviation

In Inowrocław, Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz took part in the reception of the…

2025-06-17 | Rafał Muczyński | 7 minutes

SIPRI: Nuclear risks grow as new arms race looms

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute published a report entitled SIPRI Yearbook 2025, which, among other things, discusses the issue of…

2025-06-16 | Redakcja | 10 minutes

SIPRI: Nuclear risks grow as new arms race looms

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute published a report entitled SIPRI Yearbook 2025, which, among other things, discusses the issue of…

2025-06-16 | Redakcja | 10 minutes

Visit of Polish President Andrzej Duda to the Singaporean company ST Engineering

One of the stops during the visit of Polish President Andrzej Duda to Singapore was the local company ST Engineering, which…

2025-06-14 | Rafał Muczyński | 5 minutes

ICEYE signs agreement to deliver SAR satellite capabilities to the Portuguese Air Force

The Polish-Finnish company ICEYE and the Portuguese Air Force (Força Aérea Portuguesa, FAP) announced the signing of an order for…

2025-06-13 | Redakcja | 4 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
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

The British Royal Navy Seeks a Successor to the Merlin ASaC Airborne Early Warning Helicopters

The UK Ministry of Defence will launch a tender process for the procurement of a new carrier-based airborne early warning system to replace the Crowsnest system on Merlin ASaC helicopters aboard Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers.

On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, the UK Ministry of Defence issued a Request for Information (RFI) regarding a planned tender for the procurement of a new carrier-based airborne early warning system, which will replace the radar-based reconnaissance, surveillance, and tracking system Crowsnest currently used on Merlin ASaC (Airborne Surveillance and Control) helicopters aboard both Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers.

Photo: Royal Navy

The RFI does not include details regarding the number of aircraft or their tactical and technical specifications. The deadline for submitting requests to participate in the market survey is May 6, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. local time. The procurement process itself is scheduled to begin on January 1, 2026, with the preferred contract award period set between May 2026 and May 2027. At this stage, the contract value is estimated at between 500 million and 1.5 billion GBP. The delivery timeline is set from January 1, 2027, to May 1, 2032, with the system expected to enter service between 2030 and 2035.

The Royal Navy currently operates 30 AW101 Merlin HM2 helicopters, 10 of which can be fitted with the Crowsnest system, enabling them to perform the Airborne Surveillance and Control (ASaC) role. Typically, five helicopters from the 820 Naval Air Squadron are configured for ASaC duties at any given time: three operational aircraft are assigned to the high-readiness carrier strike group, while two are used for training and operational testing. Deliveries began on March 24, 2021, replacing the Sea King ASaC.7 helicopters retired in 2018, which had left an operational gap.

However, the program has faced a series of issues that have led to the early retirement plans. Initial Operating Capability (IOC) was originally scheduled for March 2020, later pushed to September 2021, but was not achieved until 2023 due to technical problems.

One of the key issues was instability in the radar control software, System Release 11.0, used during the first operational mission in 2021 as part of Carrier Strike Group 21 (CSG21), which significantly limited its performance. Improvements were introduced in versions 11.4 (April 2022) and 12.0/12.2, which enhanced land surveillance capabilities, communication with F-35B Lightning II multirole aircraft, and radar operating modes.

It also became apparent that the selection of the Crowsnest system—based on Thales’s more affordable solution using the Searchwater 2000 radar (previously used on Nimrod MR2 aircraft)—rather than the more advanced Vigilance radar with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) antenna proposed by Lockheed Martin, which incorporates technologies from the Northrop Grumman AN/APG-81 radar (used in the F-35) and the Elta EL/M-2052 radar by Israeli Aerospace Industries, limited the system’s potential capabilities.

While the 30 Merlin HM2 helicopters are expected to remain in service until 2040, in line with the UK Ministry of Defence’s decision to extend their operational life, the Crowsnest system itself is scheduled to be replaced earlier—by December 31, 2029. As reported by the Ministry of Defence in February 2024, by the end of 2023 alone, 425.662 million GBP had already been spent on the program, out of a total planned lifecycle budget of 459 million GBP.

It is possible that, under the Royal Navy’s Future Maritime Aviation Force concept, the Crowsnest system will eventually be replaced by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) offering superior performance—such as higher operational altitude, flight speed, range, endurance, and, of course, more effective radar systems. The Royal Navy cannot, for instance, procure carrier-based airborne early warning aircraft like the Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, as the Queen Elizabeth-class carriers are not equipped with catapults, and American aircraft are not compatible with ski-jump ramps.

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