US Army gets first Global 6500 aircraft for HADES programme
The Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft delivered to the US Army in support of the HADES programme. (Photo: Bombardier Defense)
The Global 6500 fixed-wing platform will help the US Army modernise its Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) fleet by 2030.
Bombardier Defense has confirmed the delivery of the first Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft to the US Army. It will be used in support of its High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) programme.
The company said this first prototype platform would strengthen the US Army’s aerial deep sensing abilities and was a milestone towards the Army’s goal of updating its ISR fleet.
Bombardier said the Global 6500 had a maximum endurance of up to 18 hours and up to 750 hours between maintenance intervals.
Andrew Evans, director – HQDA G-2 ISR Task Force, said: “HADES is the centrepiece of the Army’s collection strategy and the Global 6500 is the system that brings that strategy to life. This aircraft gives us the range, payload capacity, speed and endurance to deliver timely, relevant and responsive capabilities for the full spectrum of Army and Joint collection requirements.”
The US Army awarded the contract for the first Global 6500 to Bombardier in December 2023, with options for two more contracts over three years.
The Sierra Nevada Corporation won the contract as the lead system integrator for the HADES programme in August 2024 in a 12-year programme reportedly worth up to US$994.3 million. That programme would incorporate deep sensing technologies on the Bombardier Global 6500 jet as part of its transformation into an ISR platform.
At the time, Col. Joe S. Minor, project manager for US Army fixed-wing aircraft, said that deep sensing was “the Army’s number one operational imperative for the Army of 2030”.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Singapore P-8A buy integral to future maritime domain awareness network]()
Singapore P-8A buy integral to future maritime domain awareness network
Singapore’s acquisition of the Boeing P-8A Poseidon will be part of a maritime domain awareness network that could include unmanned aerial systems.
-
![Peru cleared for possible $3.42 billion F-16 Block 70 buy]()
Peru cleared for possible $3.42 billion F-16 Block 70 buy
The potential foreign military sale covers 12 F-16 aircraft as well as related training and equipment support, the DSCA notice said.
-
![DSEI 2025: UK’s new Air Chief Marshal outlines nuclear, space and IAMD as three key priorities for RAF]()
DSEI 2025: UK’s new Air Chief Marshal outlines nuclear, space and IAMD as three key priorities for RAF
Aiming to field a more integrated, agile force, the military leader said in a keynote speech that focus on these core areas would be increased to help the RAF deter and meet challenges in the new threat landscape.
-
![DSEI 2025: The fighter market shift to Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T)]()
DSEI 2025: The fighter market shift to Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T)
Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) capabilities is set to become a market differentiator for fighter aircraft, allowing 4.5-5th generation platforms to remain relevant to the battlefield.
-
![Project Kuiper’s LEO network pioneers Space-as-a-Service]()
Project Kuiper’s LEO network pioneers Space-as-a-Service
The Kuiper Network enables organizations to buy, rather than build, applications that serve mission needs at mission speed.
