U.S. Army Selects Bombardier’s Global 6500 for Recon Aircraft Prototype

The firm-fixed-price contract was awarded to Bombardier on December 12 by the Army  Contracting Command-Redstone Arsenal, in coordination with the Army Fixed Wing Project Office, the service announced Wednesday. 

The HADES prototype will be the Army's first large-cabin business jet used for aerial intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), able to provide advanced deep-sensing capabilities.

For nearly 50 years, the Army has operated the Guardrail Common Sensor ISR legacy special electronic mission aircraft. The Cold War-era turboprop fleet based on a Beechcraft King Air B200 is facing obsolescence, forcing the Army to source parts from the boneyard, Defense News reported.

“HADES will bring the Army increased range, speed, endurance, and aerial ISR depth,” said Colonel Joe Minor, project manager for Army fixed-wing aircraft. “HADES will operate at higher altitudes than legacy turboprop platforms. Higher altitudes equate to an ability to sense farther and more persistently into areas of interest. Deep sensing is the Army’s No. 1 operational imperative for the Army of 2030.”

Under the deal, the Army will buy one Global 6500 jet and retains the option to purchase two more over the next three years. The first prototype aircraft is to be delivered by October 1.