The U.S. Army’s High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (Hades) program took another step forward with the selection of Sierra Nevada Corp. (SNC) as the lead system integrator under a 12-year contract that could have a total value of $1 billion. Initial indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract is for $93.5 million. Hades aircraft are based on the Bombardier Global 6500.
This award to SNC follows the grant of a contract to Bombardier late last year to supply a Global 6500 for the Hades program. That contract included options for two more, but ultimately the Army anticipates that the program could call for at least 14 aircraft.
Bombardier will hand over the first aircraft in October, which will then undergo systems integration. The Army’s goal is to take delivery of the fully-equipped aircraft in 2027.
Hades is designed to help modernize an aging fleet of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft, many of which “are remnants of the Cold War,” the Army said. It began to form the program in 2020 specifically to replace legacy turboprops that make up the Guardrail, Enhanced Medium Altitude Reconnaissance and Surveillance System, and Airborne Reconnaissance Low fleet.
These will be the first Army-owned large-cabin business jets for ISR, the service added, saying the program “will provide transformational increases in speed, range, payload and endurance for Army aerial intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.”
“Hades is the centerpiece of the Army’s long-promised aerial ISR transformation strategy,” said Lt. Gen. Anthony Hale, deputy chief of staff. “Hades allows the Army to fly higher, faster, and farther, which directly impacts our ability to see and sense deeper, delivering an organic capability in line with the Secretary of the Army’s number-one operational imperative—deep sensing.”
Hades will provide the ability for the Army to cover a much larger geographical area, the service anticipates it will facilitate global deployment within days instead of the current transitional period of several weeks, it added.