L3Harris is disputing the US Army’s decision to select Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) for its nearly $1 billion HADES spy plane program.
According to an L3Harris spokesperson, a formal complaint has been submitted to the US Government Accountability Office (GAO), requesting an in-depth review of the contract decision.
“We carefully reviewed the information during the Army’s debrief process, which led us to challenge the HADES decision and request further analysis to ensure the proposal received an equitable evaluation,” the spokesperson told Breaking Defense.
The spokesperson added that the protest aims to ensure the service will receive the most capable and lowest risk solution for an increasingly complex operational environment.
The GAO is expected to issue its decision by December 26.
The Contract
In August, SNC announced that it had received a $991.3-million multi-year contract to deliver next-generation intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) jets to the US Army.
The contract is part of the High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) program.
The aircraft should be able to fly higher, faster, and farther than existing aerial ISR platforms and must efficiently support large-scale, multi-domain deep sensing operations.
According to the company, the spy plane will utilize Bombardier’s Global 6500 jet, featuring a spacious cabin to accommodate advanced ISR components.
“SNC’s HADES solution is based upon rapid configurability so the aircraft is swiftly adaptable to specific recon missions based on tactical and operational needs,” SNC Vice President of Programs Josh Walsh explained.
Apart from SNC and L3Harris, American firms Leidos and MAG Aerospace submitted proposals for the competition.
Delaying the Program
Amid the protest, Walsh remains optimistic about SNC’s chances, describing L3Harris’ remarks as “inaccurate” and “incorrect.”
He stated that there is no technical merit to the claims from the losing team and warned that the protest could unnecessarily delay a critical program for the army.
“We believe they are protesting a minor administrative issue that should not be grounds for the protest and delay such a critical program for the Army,” Walsh noted.
As mandated by law, the GAO will halt work on the program pending its decision.