The contract between Bombardier and the army was signed in January. Credit: Bombardier.

Bombardier Defense has delivered the first Global 6500 aircraft to the US Army, which will support prototyping efforts for the High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES).  

This comes after a contract was signed in January 2024 by the US Army Contracting Command-Redstone Arsenal with Bombardier for the acquisition of Global 6500 jets. 

Through the HADES programme, the army will develop a fleet of aerial intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems equipped with signals intelligence, synthetic aperture radar/moving target indicator, and other integrated capabilities.

HADES will provide the army with enhanced range, speed, endurance, and ISR coverage. 

Bombardier Defense vice-president Steve Patrick said: “Bombardier Defense is honoured to support the US Army with the delivery of the first Global 6500 aircraft, a high-performance platform that possesses the speed, endurance-at-range and altitude capabilities to support deep-sensing for the army of tomorrow.” 

Bombardier Global 6500, a fixed-wing platform, offers enhanced performance for aerial ISR missions due to its ability to fly faster, longer, and higher than legacy airborne sensor platforms, the company noted. 

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The aircraft measures 99ft 5in in length, 25ft 6in in height, and has a wingspan of 94ft.  

The HADES prototypes will mark the first use of large-cabin business jets by the US Army for aerial ISR, offering advanced deep-sensing capabilities for multidomain operations against peer and near-peer threats. 

Operating at higher altitudes than existing turboprop platforms, it will enable more extensive and continuous sensing over areas of interest. Deep sensing is a critical operational priority for the army’s future capabilities. 

US senator Jerry Moran said: “The partnership between Bombardier, the US Army and the Wichita workforce has produced a next-generation aircraft equipped to meet the demands of warfare in a new era of technology. 

“The HADES aircraft has the tools needed to deter threats, conduct surveillance and help keep our country safe.”