The U.S. Army will integrate its long-range, high-speed spy plane, HADES, using the Bombardier Global 6500, after retiring its ISR fleet. Competitors include teams from L3Harris, MAG Aerospace, Leidos, and Sierra Nevada Corp. The pre-existing Artemis and Ares have flown 1,000 sorties, informing the HADES program. The Army anticipates deploying four more prototypes to inform HADES requirements. L3Harris will receive two jets in Q3 2024 for their HADES submission.
The Army recognized the need for new piloted, fixed-wing ISR assets to perform missions in complex environments. HADES is a solution the Army found affordably. Following the sensor team selection, it will take 18 months before deployment for a user assessment. HADES aims to field 14 aircraft by 2035. Industry anticipates the same team will secure subsequent contracts, but the Army remains flexible.
By requesting flight-ready prototypes from industry, the Army quickly learned from the Artemis and Ares prototypes. The prototypes have helped refine data processing and dissemination and adapt sensor needs with open-system architecture. These lessons contribute to the Army’s strategy to overhaul the fixed-wing ISR fleet successfully.
