German SIGINT effort progresses as Pegasus project fleet expands
Bombardier will receive two more jets as part of the German Pegasus surveillance aircraft project. (Photo: Bombardier)
The Pegasus project, headed by Hensoldt, celebrated a recent milestone as the latest 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.
Bombardier has previously delivered three Global 6000 jets to Lufthansa Technik since the aircraft was selected for the programme in 2020. 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.
More from Air Warfare
-
Aerosonde UAV makes first operational flight from USS Miguel Keith
The Textron UAS is also deployed on three other USN ships.
-
Iran turns to Russia to modernise fighter jet fleet
As Iranian drones equip Russian forces in ever-increasing numbers, Su-35 fighter jets will soon be heading in the opposite direction as Tehran urgently seeks modern air combat capabilities.
-
Electra develops eSTOL pre-production prototype for US Air Force
The Virginia-based aerospace company has received a strategic funding injection of up to $85m to mature its eSTOL technology for the US Air Force.
-
HAWC missile completes flight trials as focus turns to maturing hypersonic technology
Completion of HAWC flight testing means the US has two viable hypersonic missile designs that can be matured into future programmes of record.