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.
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.”
