Finland has selected Sierra Nevada’s RAPCON-X jet as its new border surveillance and reconnaissance solution.
The American aerospace firm said it has received a $170-million contract to deliver two configured Bombardier Challenger 650 aircraft outfitted with its RAPCON-X technology.
The solution will enable the commercial jets to perform multi-domain intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), as well as long-range precision sensing and rapid target maneuvering.
“RAPCON-X offers high reliability, increased range, endurance, and an operational envelope that enhances survivability — adding significant improvements in operating time and area coverage,” the company stated.
The new ISR jets will be handed over to the Finnish Border Guard between 2026 and 2027.
Once delivered, the RAPCON-X is expected to carry out land and sea border patrols, search and rescue, and marine environmental damage detection.
Tailored to Finland’s Specifications
Sierra Nevada said the RAPCON-X-configured Bombardier aircraft will be tailored to Finland’s modern border surveillance requirements.
Though it did not provide specifics, the company said the Finnish jets will have components that can significantly improve the country’s border security and monitoring of territorial integrity.
It will also be able to support “all legacy missions while providing superior capability, interoperability, and upgradability for the next 30 years.”
Additionally, the RAPCON-X can reportedly provide persistent ISR at high altitude for up to 14 hours.
“The rapidly configurable nature of RAPCON-X increases interoperability across Finland’s national security infrastructure – as well as NATO – and sets the Finnish Border Guard up for mission success now and in the future,” executive vice president of SNC’s Mission Solutions and Technologies business area Tim Owings said.
Boosting Border Defense
The selection of Sierra Nevada’s RAPCON-X comes as Baltic states strengthen border defenses given the increasing security concerns brought by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In May, Helsinki and five other NATO members said they agreed to build a “drone wall” to defend their borders against “provocations.”
Finland also approved a defense pact with the US that enables the presence and training of American forces and prepositioning of defense material in the Nordic country.
“RAPCON-X is uniquely suited for Finland’s immense maritime and border patrol challenges,” company vice president of programs Josh Walsh said. “We are humbled and honored to work alongside the Finnish Border Guard to bring this new capability to their force.”
