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illus por, Part 1: v41 no 18 (May 5 2004): p20-21; Part 2: v41 no 42 (Oct 20 2004): p42-44+

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The growing use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) has led to increased intellectual and financial investment in counter-IED technology, particularly the use of airborne capability. The article describes some airborne surveillance techniques used in Afghanistan and Iraq, including the Angel Fire wide-area surveillance program, the ARGUS-IS and counter-IED radars such as the Desert Owl.

The article discusses the rapid development in production and operational field of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in Europe and its future capabilities to produce and upgrade.

The impact relevant to military aspects of the increasing usage and procurement of the medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles (MALE UAVs) by countries is described.

The medium tactical airlift capabilities are becoming an integral part of defense services of various countries with Europe, the leader of the developing medium tactical transport aircraft market.

Spain's key aerospace and defense companies are able to achieve strong growth and build up robust order backlogs despite relatively modest increases in domestic military spending due to an international outlook. Spain's overall defense expenditure is expected to rise to 12.2 billion euros by 2009, while procurement will increase to 2.2 billion euros and the economic growth is expected to reduce from 2.8% in 2006 to 2.1% in 2009.

The tank-bustling attack helicopters are dead and need to adapt to survive while the multirole attack helicopters are performers in diverse urban warfare and disaster relief. Eurocopter's Tiger and Boeing's Apache dominate the attack helicopter market and Denel's Rooivalk and AgustaWestland's A 129 Mangusta made a breakthrough in this duopoly in July 2006 when they were downselected for a Turkish helicopter requirement.

Secretary of State for Defence John Reid after the announcement of the long-awaited UK Defence Industry Strategy (DIS) in December 2005 stated that it gave outstanding clarity for industry to plan for a sustainable healthy future with the caveat that the required transformation would not be without pain. The thrust of the new strategy focuses squarely on the UK retaining and enhancing high-tech systems engineering competencies, while making the UK a more competitive and commercially attractive defense manufacturing base.

The events that took place in the world's emerging military geopolitical and defense trends in the year 2005 and the events to look forward to in 2006 are discussed. Some of the events discussed are the US offshore operations, global war on terror and the past 56 years of co-operation under NATO.

BAE Systems is hoping for a contract signature for its Hawk 128 advanced jet trainers for the UK Royal Air Force in the first quarter of 2006 and first flight of the second prototype before the end of 2005. BAE Systems believes that the latest Hawk trainers can make substantial savings in training costs by reducing hours in more expensive fighters and the first Bahraini Hawk is expected to be delivered in mid-2006.

The key players of strategic air transport, which is proving to be the backbone of long-range operations, in the market place are reported. Plans are underway for Boeing C-17 Globemaster III's increased survivability and network-enabled capability, and the Antonov's family of large aircraft (An-124) has established itself as the commercial workhorse for military and humanitarian use.

Mini-UAVs weighing more than 1 kg and transportable by a single person is part of the battlefield for almost decades. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) awarded a development contract to SeroVironment in 1996 to study the probability of building a micro-UAV and a follow-up contract resulted in flying balsa wood, prop-driven six-inch diameter discs.

The demand of satellite communications is increasing in various countries aimed at increasing the effect of war fighters. A brief description on various strategies and programs planned and implemented by the UK and the US with reference to the satellite communications is done.

Inadequate training might be one of the major causes of fratricide incidents in the U.S.-led Operation 'Iraqi Freedom' and training is highlighted as a deficiency in U.S. military operations in urban terrain (MOUT). New urban warfare technologies and training concepts are helping the U.S. forces in the battle and the four main training priorities include physical fitness, marksmanship, medical training and battle drills.

Significant changes in the role of the military in the current political climate are having wide-reaching repercussions for the European defence industry. The trend towards contracting out certain military activities is highlighted.