Bombardier Defense has delivered its first Global 6500 aircraft to the U.S. Army as part of the High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) program. This delivery strengthens the Army’s aerial deep sensing capabilities and advances its goal of modernizing military intelligence.
Steve Patrick, Vice President of Bombardier Defense, emphasized the importance of the aircraft’s role, stating, “Bombardier Defense is honored to support the U.S. Army with the delivery of the Global 6500 aircraft, a high-performance platform that possesses the speed, endurance-at-range and altitude capabilities to support deep-sensing for the Army of tomorrow. This best-in-class jet is the future-proofed solution to provide the U.S. Army with the capabilities needed to face current and future threats.”
Enhanced Capabilities with Global 6500
The Global 6500 U.S. Army aircraft offers advanced features that elevate the Army’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations. With its ability to fly faster, higher, and longer than older sensor platforms, the aircraft enhances mission performance. Its maximum endurance of up to 18 hours and an impressive dispatch reliability of 99.83% ensure consistent operational efficiency. Additionally, the jet’s capability to fly up to 750 hours between maintenance intervals demonstrates its reliability in demanding military scenarios. The delivery of their first Global 6500 also showcases its ability in high-demand situations.
The fixed-wing platform supports extended operational reach and increases access to diverse operating areas. These features, combined with modern payload integration, make it an ideal asset for deep sensing and ISR missions.
Andrew Evans, Director of the HQDA G-2 ISR Task Force, praised the collaboration, saying, “We are proud of the partnership with Bombardier Defense and the mission-focused professionals in the State of Kansas. We remain excited about the opportunities we can unlock by pairing the performance, versatility and reliability of the Global 6500 with modern payloads aligned to priority intelligence requirements. HADES is the centerpiece 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 delivery event, attended by U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS), Kansas officials, and U.S. Army leaders, marked the beginning of the HADES program’s next phase. This stage will focus on system integration, bringing the Army closer to its goal of modernizing ISR operations.
Senator Moran highlighted the importance of the collaboration, stating, “The partnership between Bombardier, the U.S. Army and the Wichita workforce has produced a next-generation aircraft equipped to meet the demands of warfare in a new era of technology. The HADES aircraft has the tools needed to deter threats, conduct surveillance and help keep our country safe. This is the start of a new chapter in the aviation capabilities of our military and continues Kansas’ legacy of defense manufacturing.”
Dedication to Military Needs
Bombardier Defense brings decades of expertise in adapting aircraft for specialized missions. With in-house engineering and support teams available globally around the clock, the company ensures the aircraft meet the Army’s unique requirements. Bombardier’s ability to incorporate tailored modifications, backed by full certification capabilities, makes the Global 6500 a robust solution for both military and hybrid operations. The delivery of the first Global 6500 underlines this commitment.
The delivery of the first Global 6500 U.S. Army aircraft for the HADES program signals a leap forward in the U.S. Army’s capabilities, setting a strong foundation for the future of aerial military intelligence.
