Thailand-bound AH-6i helicopter completes first flight
A total of eight aircraft will replace the Royal Thai Army’s ageing AH-IF Cobra fleet as part of a contract deal worth US$103.8 million.
Germany's Pegasus SIGINT jet passes critical milestone
The first Pegasus is scheduled to enter service in 2026. (Photo: Hensoldt)
Two years ago, Hensoldt was awarded the contract to supply an airborne system for electronic signals intelligence (SIGINT) on board Bombardier business jets.
The Pegasus (Persistent German Airborne Surveillance System) SIGINT platform has passed critical design review which means it has the green light for implementation of system design.
The approval came after representatives of the Bundeswehr, both from the procuring agency and future user, examined the design of the SIGINT components of the PEGASUS weapon system.
This followed a detailed presentation of implementation planning for the system's extensive requirements. At the same time, progress of the overall project was confirmed in software and hardware demonstrations.
As part of the review subcontractor Lufthansa Technik, Hamburg, outlined its integration of the reconnaissance system into the aircraft and the conversion process.
The order is worth over EUR1 billion (US$1,1 billion) with Hensoldt acting as prime contractor. Lufthansa Technik is procuring the aircraft from manufacturer Bombardier, carrying out modification, and fitting and integrating the reconnaissance system developed by Hensoldt into the aircraft.
The Pegasus project aims to fulfil a German SIGINT capability which has been missing 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.
The first Pegasus is scheduled to enter service in 2026.
You may also like
More from Air Warfare
-
![Thailand-bound AH-6i helicopter completes first flight]()
-
![Czech Republic acquires two Embraer C-390 Millennium aircraft]()
Czech Republic acquires two Embraer C-390 Millennium aircraft
The contract has been predicted to be signed in the coming weeks, with the first aircraft slated for delivery to the Czech Republic by 2025.
-
![Saab strengthens AEW&C bid with Korea Aerospace Industries agreement]()
Saab strengthens AEW&C bid with Korea Aerospace Industries agreement
Saab’s proposal for South Korea is its GlobalEye aircraft. This MoU between the two companies is the latest update in Saab’s bid for South Korea’s competition for a new airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.
-
![Raytheon to develop Next-Gen Jammer upgrade for US navy under $192million deal]()
Raytheon to develop Next-Gen Jammer upgrade for US navy under $192million deal
The development of the Next-Generation Jammer Mid-Band system and its expansion upgrade will be a joint effort between the Royal Australian Air Force and US Navy to meet emerging electronic warfare threats.
-
![Pratt & Whitney granted $1.3 billion for F135 core upgrade]()
Pratt & Whitney granted $1.3 billion for F135 core upgrade
The contract award followed on from the preliminary design review of the F135 Engine Core Upgrade in July 2024. Work on the upgrade will be expected to be completed by March 2028.
-
![Lockheed Martin bags $3.2 billion US Air Force contract for JASSM and LRASM]()
Lockheed Martin bags $3.2 billion US Air Force contract for JASSM and LRASM
Lockheed Martin will supply the missile systems to the militaries of Japan, Finland, Poland and the Netherlands, with work carried out at Lockheed Martin’s facilities in Orlando until mid-2032.
