Experienced, flexible, proven: Bombardier Defense offers the right solutions for next-generation military platforms

Image courtesy of Bombardier Defense.

Bombardier Defense is known around the world for its commitment to quality, reliability, and performance. Leveraging experience derived from a fleet of more than 500 special mission aircraft and an operational track record of over 3 million fleet hours, Bombardier Defense has become the go-to provider of solutions for the most critical missions.

The Bombardier Challenger and Global aircraft families represent the ideal solution for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), Electronic Attack, Maritime Patrol, Search and Rescue, urgent humanitarian assistance, VIP transportation and more.

Specialized Bombardier jets are active across the world, performing missions vital for national and international security.

Bombardier Defense aircraft are notably an ideal choice for ISR missions by flying higher, faster and farther than legacy airborne platforms, ensuring the coverage of expansive territories and offering performance comparable or superior to larger aircraft at fractions of their purchase and operating costs. Bombardier jets offer the right flexibility to complete missions in challenging environments, with an optimal payload capacity for customized mission-specific equipment, a strategic advantage for next-generation solution development.

Customized solutions

Bombardier Defense has a highly collaborative approach with customers, working closely with them and with partners to create the best solution for their mission. Solutions range from turnkey packages comprising the complete design, building, testing and certification activity, through to specialist engineering support and technical oversight to collaborate on customized services specific to the mission requirements.

A worldwide maintenance network

Bombardier Defense provides customers with top-ranked services and support and access to a worldwide service network that is ready to respond anytime, anywhere.

Bombardier Defense customers can count on highly skilled technicians to service their aircraft rapidly and efficiently, as well as full access to spare parts. This means that no matter where these aircraft are deployed, expert support is standing by to quickly return the aircraft to service.

Proven partner of U.S. Armed Forces

Bombardier is a long-time partner to the U.S. Air Force (USAF), which currently operates seven modified Global aircraft for the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) program – a specialized communications aircraft known in the USAF as the E-11A. Dubbed “Wi-Fi in the sky” by the USAF, these aircraft are high-altitude communications gateways that can be used around the world, relaying or bridging voice and tactical data between air and land forces, and surmounting obstacles such as mountains, rough terrain or distance. They were notably used in Afghanistan, providing critical support to soldiers on the ground.

Chosen platform for HADES

The latest U.S. military program leveraging Bombardier platforms is the High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) program, which delivers on a key Army imperative – deep sensing.

In a potential conflict with adversaries in remote locations, the operational advantage will go to the side that can more successfully manage the battlespace with deep sensing airborne capabilities. To secure this advantage, the U.S. Army chose Bombardier Defense to supply the Global 6500 aircraft as the platform of choice as it combines speed and range to track adversaries and bring clarity to the operational environment from vastly farther distances. Indeed, when outfitted with sensing capabilities, the Global 6500 aircraft will allow the military to sense deeper and farther, remaining over theater for longer than previous fixed-wing aircraft.

The HADES platform, known as ME-11B, will also be the first U.S. Army-owned large-cabin fixed-wing platform used for aerial ISR missions. HADES is a generational leap forward in the Army’s airborne surveillance capabilities.

Bombardier Defense delivered the first Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft in support of the HADES program during a ceremony held at Bombardier Group’s U.S. Headquarters in Wichita, Kansas, in November 2024.

Previous U.S. Army initiatives that shaped HADES have also used Bombardier’s Global and Challenger families of aircraft to determine the right-size platform to support mission payloads, flight performance, and specific mission needs for the next-generation aerial ISR fleet.

Whatever the mission – whether it’s protecting airspace and borders, safeguarding critical infrastructure, rushing in with humanitarian aid, or powering government mobility and logistics—Bombardier Defense platforms are ready to rise to the challenge.

Bombardier Defense will be at booth #3008 at the Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee, from May 14 to 16.