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Sierra Nevada buys additional Bombardier Global 6500 to expand U.S. Army ME‑11B HADES ISR fleet

Sierra Nevada Corporation has purchased a fourth Bombardier Global 6500 with company funds to expand the U.S. Army’s forthcoming ME‑11B surveillance fleet under the HADES programme. SNC has already delivered three Global 6500s as prototypes; this is the first non‑prototype acquisition.

Discovered 2026-01-13T10:36:49.845528-08:00 | 2026-01-13T10:36:49.845528-08:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

  • SNC's self‑funded purchase accelerates fielding of the Army's jet‑powered ME‑11B HADES ISR capability, coming after the Army's retirement of RC‑12X/MC‑12S/EO‑5C turboprops.
  • The move reinforces the Global 6500's emergence as a viable multi‑mission military ISR platform and ties into existing industrial relationships, including the Bombardier–Sierra Nevada sustainment agreement and Bombardier Defense's market push for the type (Global 6500 military pitch).
  • SNC buying a non‑prototype airframe with corporate funds signals the prime assuming procurement and schedule risk to speed testing and conversion, shortening timelines for initial operational capability.

Reported By

aerospaceglobalnews.com defenceconnect.com.au news.ssbcrack.com insidedefense.com asdnews.com Defense Daily
Sources Tracked
9
First Seen
2026-01-13T10:36:49.845528-08:00
Latest Update
2026-01-15T06:01:41.650804-08:00
Coverage
Defense

Sources

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