In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast, we talk about simulation and training, and consider how VR, AR and mixed reality could eventually reshape this industry; and in an interview with the Head of the US Army Futures Command we learn the progress of the country’s six modernisation priorities.

Newsround (00:38)

In Russia the Military Industrial Company has shed more light on the Strela light air-transportable armoured car.

A base model, amphibious variant and buggy variant for the Russian Airborne Forces will be officially presented at the Army 2019 show near Moscow on 23-29 August. 

In South America, despite its crippling economic crisis, Venezuela appears keen to buy at least one AEW&C aircraft, which would be a brand new capability for the country.

In Greece, the Hellenic Navy recently commissioned its penultimate Roussen-class fast attack craft, and the final one is expected to follow in 2021, more than 20 years after the programme began. 

The UK is looking to explore specific naval applications for directed energy weapons, in an initiative called Project Tracey. 

News In Focus

Air Editor Tim Martin reports on the Israeli Air Force (IAF) decision to ground its UH-60 Black Hawk fleet.  The reason seems to lie in a series of ‘technical malfunctions’ of T700, but an investigation is still being conducted. Tim considers whether this problem is isolated to Israeli Black Hawks or extends to other users of the helicopter.

As Japan rethinks its acquisition of RQ-4B Global Hawks from the US, we discuss the potential reasons that led to this decision and what other options Japan has to enhance its  capability.

On the land domain, Land Reporter Flavia Camargos Pereira discusses how the USMC is looking at the procurement of a next-generation, shoulder-fired rocket system. An RfP was issued by the USMC to purchase the M72 LAW FFE, which is expected to be fielded in FY2022.

Deep Dive- Military Training and Simulation programmes (15:56)
News Editor Ben Vogel is on the line with Simulation and Training Editor Trevor Nash for an insight on current programmes and development in technologies that could influence the way today’s militaries train. 

Interview: US Army Six Modernisation Priorities (33:21)
In a special interview, Gerrard Cowan talks to General John M. Murray, Head of  Army  Futures Command, about six main modernisation priorities out to 2035. 

This episode was produced by Noemi Distefano with music and sound mixing by Fred Prest.