The US Army has awarded Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) a $93.5-million contract to lead systems integration for the High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) program.
The deal supports the service’s efforts to employ a next-generation intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (IRS) aircraft with improved geographical coverage and faster global deployment capabilities.
SNC will take on the role for 12 years, with the agreement amounting to $991.3 million if all options are exercised.
“HADES is the centerpiece of the Army’s long-promised aerial ISR transformation strategy,” US Army Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Anthony Hale explained.
“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.”
Future ISR Aircraft
The US Department of Defense first conceptualized the HADES program to replace the army’s legacy Guardrail, Enhanced Medium Altitude Reconnaissance and Surveillance System, and Airborne Reconnaissance Low fleets in service for over 40 years.
Once operational, the HADES spy plane will fly with higher airspeeds and extended endurance compared to its predecessors. Additionally, the platform will improve the army’s readiness by enabling a transitional period of days prior to missions instead of weeks as seen in previous aircraft.
In January 2024, the Pentagon contracted Bombardier Defense to supply up to three Global 6500 business jets for the HADES prototyping phase.
The government also partnered with Leidos six months earlier to support proficiency efforts for the upcoming aircraft’s pilots.
“I am very proud of the entire HADES team, along with our intelligence, aviation and contracting enterprise partners, who have worked diligently to ensure that the Army delivers a new aerial ISR collection capability that meets the Army’s 2030 operational imperatives,” US Army Aviation Program Executive Officer Brig. Gen. David Phillips commented on SNC’s recent contract.
“HADES will allow our formations to see and sense farther and more persistently, providing an asymmetric advantage over our adversaries in large-scale operations and multidomain operations.”