The XR Training consortium's USMC Amphibious Combat Vehicle driver simulator in its seat configuration with two DoF motion platform. The Vive HTC Elite headset is on the seat. The Instructor station laptop is on the table behind. (XR Training)

A consortium led by XR Training has been awarded a contract by the US Marine Corps (USMC) under an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) to produce a driver training simulator for the new Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV). The value of the contract was not disclosed but Neil Levin, XR Training CEO, told Janes that it was “in the high seven-figure area”.

The consortium, which also includes Talon Simulations (hardware), 302 Interactive (software development), and Theory Studios (modelling and visuals), will deliver 81 simulators by the end of 2024, followed by a two-year training and sustainment period. Most simulators will be deployed to Camps Pendleton and Lejeune, with some for use for “schoolhouse” training and some for deploying units.

Actual and planned Canadian defence spending by category from 2021–22 to 2026–27. (Janes)

The Canadian government released its fiscal year (FY) 2024 defence budget on 16 April. The document projects spending of CAD33.8 billion (USD24.6 billion) in 2024–25, including adjustments from the Budget 2023 Refocusing Government Spending Exercise and incremental funding in the 2024 budget, although it warns that forecast amounts may change as programmes move through implementation. This is an increase from the forecast CAD29.9 billion spending in 2023–24, according to the document.

The 2024–25 main estimates produced by the Treasury Board projected defence spending of CAD30.6 billion, a small increase from the latest spending estimate for 2023–24, which totalled CAD30.3 billion. This is a 14% increase over the initial 2023–24 main estimate of CAD26.5 billion, according to Treasury Board figures. Expenditures in 2022–23 totalled CAD26.9 billion.

A German Army H145 LUH SAR, displayed at ILA 2022. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)

The Honduran Ministry of Defense has purchased two Airbus H145s, the company announced on 10 April at the FIDAE 2024 air show in Santiago, Chile. Honduras previously placed an order for two H145s in April 2023, when the defence ministry announced its intention to operate a total of six.

All H145s are likely to be operated by the Honduran Air Force from its main helicopter base at Coronel Hernán Acosta Mejía Air Base in Tegucigalpa, and be tasked with personnel and cargo transport, search-and-rescue, medical evacuation, and disaster response missions.

“The H145 helicopters respond to Honduras' need for modern, multi-purpose helicopters that can be used for the next 30 years. Honduras, due to its location, is frequently affected by hurricanes, natural disasters, and fires,” said José Manuel Zelaya, Honduran minister of defence.

The two H145s ordered in 2023 are set to be delivered by the end of 2024, said Airbus in the statement announcing the latest purchase.

The Honduran Air Force operates a fleet of four Bell UH-1Hs and four Bell 412SPs, according to Janes World Air Forces.