Bombardier has announced it will begin modifying its Global 6000 business jet to support Lufthansa Technik for the Hensoldt-led Pegasus Program.
The aircraft arrived in Wichita, Kansas, to begin alteration on the German military’s next signals intelligence (SIGINT) aircraft.
Work will include the integration of Hensoldt’s Kalætron Integral signals intelligence capability into the plane to improve data collection and analysis through radar and radio systems.
Once completed, Lufthansa will equip the Kalætron platform at its facility in Hamburg. After the modifications, Bombardier will carry out testing and certification for the aircraft, while Lufthansa will perform additional support systems integration.
The delivery of the first Pegasus aircraft is slated for 2026. All units produced from the program will be completed by 2028.
Germany’s latest airborne SIGINT capability will take the place of the Breguet 1150 Atlantic reconnaissance aircraft, which was retired in 2010.
“With the immense progress made in the design work over the last 12 months, we are proud to see the PEGASUS project entering the next stage,” Hensoldt Vice President Jürgen Halder explained.
“Together with our partners Bombardier Defense and Lufthansa Technik, we are determined to maintain the swift pace established to answer the pressing need of our customer for strategic surveillance capabilities.”
Germany’s Next ‘High-Performing Platform’
According to Bombardier, the modification process is the first major work for a European customer at the company’s Kansas site since its launch in 2022.
“This most recent milestone is a testament to the quality of Bombardier jets for both VIP transport and special mission applications,” said Steve Patrick, Vice President of Bombardier Defense.
“Bombardier Defense’s full suite of mission-specific design, manufacturing, and certification capabilities, combined with Lufthansa Technik’s expertise will ensure Hensoldt receives a reliable, high-performing platform, perfectly tailored to their mission requirements and payload.”
“We thank Hensoldt and Bombardier for the good cooperation and progress and we are already looking forward to building on the high-quality work of the colleagues in Wichita in the upcoming systems integration phase,” added Michael von Puttkamer, Vice President of Special Aircraft services at Lufthansa Technik.
