German SIGINT effort progresses as Pegasus fleet modification work goes ahead
Bombardier will receive two more jets as part of the German Pegasus surveillance aircraft project. (Photo: Bombardier)
Germany's Pegasus project, aimed at tackling a SIGINT capability gap, is progressing with the arrival of the first Global 6000 to Bombardier's US facility.
The Pegasus project, headed by Hensoldt, celebrated a recent milestone as the first Global 6000 aircraft arrived for modification at Bombardier’s facility in Kansas, USA.
Bombardier Defense will perform major structural modifications to accommodate the Kalætron Integral SIGINT system developed by Hensoldt. Kalætron system collects and analyses military signals from radar and radio systems.
Following Bombardier’s preparatory work, the system will be integrated at Lufthansa Technik’s special mission aircraft competence centre in Germany.
The first Pegasus is scheduled to enter service in 2026.
The Pegasus (Persistent German Airborne Surveillance System) project aims to fulfil a SIGINT capability which has been missing in the German Armed Forces since the retirement of five Breguet BR1150 Atlantic aircraft in June 2010.
Until 2019, Germany had intended to introduce four SIGINT-configured MQ-4C Tritons to fulfil this capability but decided in favour of procuring crewed aircraft instead, in part due to concerns over airspace use.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![DSEI 2025: NATO members evaluate Black Widow UAV as it joins NSPA catalogue]()
DSEI 2025: NATO members evaluate Black Widow UAV as it joins NSPA catalogue
The addition of Red Cat’s Black Widow to NATO’s NSPA catalogue opens the doors for allied forces to more easily procure the AI-enabled drone.
-
![DSEI 2025: New AR3 EVO puts Tekever’s modularity ambitions under the spotlight]()
DSEI 2025: New AR3 EVO puts Tekever’s modularity ambitions under the spotlight
An evolution of the Tekever AR3, the AR3 EVO that broke cover at DSEI incorporates the thousands of incremental evolutions the company has implemented through its spiral development, geared towards delivering a constant stream of improved aircraft to Ukraine.
-
![DSEI 2025: Schiebel reveals two weaponised Camcopter UAVs]()
DSEI 2025: Schiebel reveals two weaponised Camcopter UAVs
The new capabilities are based on platforms already in use or in development, and are designed to perform in demanding defence missions.
-
![The Future of Air Defense: IAI-ELTA's Cutting-Edge Multi-Sensor Radar Solutions]()
The Future of Air Defense: IAI-ELTA's Cutting-Edge Multi-Sensor Radar Solutions
In an era of rapidly evolving threats, where drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic salvos redefine the battlefield, IAI‑ELTA Group stands at the forefront with its revolutionary radar technology. At the heart of this technological leap lies the ELM-2084 Multi‑Mission Radar (MMR) and its latest evolution, the Multi‑Sensor MMR (MS-MMR).
-
![DSEI 2025: GCAP Electronics Evolution emerges as new consortium for 6th-gen programme]()
DSEI 2025: GCAP Electronics Evolution emerges as new consortium for 6th-gen programme
The consortium, known as G2E, is formed of four leading national defence electronics companies: Mitsubishi for Japan, Leonardo UK for the UK and both Leonardo and ELT Group for Italy.
