The German Air Force’s first Pegasus spy plane has completed its maiden flight at Bombardier Defense’s center in Wichita, Kansas.
The test is part of the government’s ongoing program to modify and commission three Global 6000 commercial business jets into aerial assets that will support its military’s “highly critical signal surveillance missions.”
Bombardier pilots led evaluations in Wichita, with the completion allowing the platform to move forward to its next development phase.
Work on the spy plane’s primary signals intelligence (SIGINT) capability will incorporate the Kalætron Integral technology supplied by Pegasus consortium member Hensoldt.
“Germany’s next generation signal intelligence aircraft is flying high,” Bombardier Defense Vice President Steve Patrick stated.
“This successful first flight is the result of the strong collaboration and shared knowledge between HENSOLDT, Lufthansa Technik Defense, Bombardier Defense and our suppliers to get the modified, high-performing Global 6000 aircraft for the Pegasus program in the air.”
Certification in Hamburg
Once the initiative’s first testing phase in Kansas is finalized, all three Pegasus planes will be transported to Lufthansa Technik Defense in Hamburg for regulatory certification on the overall aircraft level.
Lufthansa has already completed corresponding design activities for the fleet’s SIGINT mission system integration, related military and civil avionics, and cabin.
“Seeing the first PEGASUS aircraft taking to the skies bearing the Lufthansa Technik Defense logo fills me with pride and also joyful anticipation, as it brings us one decisive step closer to welcoming this aircraft back at our site,” Lufthansa Technik Special Aircraft Services Michael von Puttkamer said.
“I’d like to congratulate and thank the outstanding Bombardier Defense team for their great performance in reaching this important project milestone, and I look forward to the upcoming flight test activities as well as the ongoing cooperation with HENSOLDT in the subsequent integration and certification of their highly sophisticated signals intelligence system.”
Delivery by 2026
Hensoldt accepted the lead contract to integrate the Kalætron into the three future Pegasus aircraft in 2021.
The effort’s first production aircraft, which was launched in June 2024, will arrive in Germany by 2026, with the two more expected by 2028.
“Today marks an important milestone for the PEGASUS programme,” Hensoldt Spectrum Dominance Division Head Dietmar Thelen remarked.
“With the integration of our Kalætron-Integral system, we are delivering key components that are essential for the ‘reconnaissance of tomorrow’. This achievement underscores the excellent cooperation between HENSOLDT, Lufthansa Technik Defense and Bombardier Defense.”
