The US Army is seeking input from the defense industry on Launched Effects (LE) or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that can be integrated into an aerial intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (A-ISR) platform.
The United States Army Contracting Command Redstone Arsenal is seeking input from the defense industry regarding Launched Effects (LE) or unmanned aerial vehicles ( UAV s) that can be integrated into an aerial intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance ( A-ISR ) platform. A request for information (RFI) issued by the US Army indicates that the LE will potentially be integrated onto medium/high altitude and higher airspeed platforms.
The UAV or drone is likely to be integrated with the Bombardier G6500 AC aircraft. The Army has also stated that the LE system should be compatible with the aforementioned aircraft. It appears that the Army is aiming to expand its operational range and enhance the capabilities of its long-range ISR aircraft. It could also be considered an attempt to further improve the capabilities of the High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) program.The US Army's RFI for integrating drones on surveillance aircraft highlights that the drone or LE will need to possess very specific capabilities to operate alongside the high-altitude ISR aircraft. The high-altitude ISR platform will operate at 41,000 feet above mean sea level, and at 400 knots (460 miles per hour) for over seven hours. At these altitudes, temperatures can reach -65 degrees Fahrenheit. It is at these speeds and altitudes that the LE or UAV will have to function, including being carried and deployed. Therefore, the UAV needs to be exceptionally robust to meet all the requirements. The entire LE system – including the launcher and pylon – should weigh less than 1800 pounds for inboard hardpoint stations and less than 600 pounds for the outboard ones. The Army is requesting the industry to provide details on whether they possess these capabilities and, if so, what technological readiness levels they have for integrating it onto the high-altitude platform. It plans to demonstrate the A-ISR LE operational capability in fiscal year 2026. Earlier in December 2023, the US Army awarded a firm-fixed-price contract to Bombardier Defense (Learjet, Inc.) to procure a Global 6500 jet aircraft for the HADES program. The contract also included an option for the Army to purchase two more Global 6500s within the next two years. In November 2024, Bombardier Defense delivered the first Global 6500 aircraft to the US Army. It marked the delivery of the first prototype airframe for the next-generation ISR solution and the beginning of the next stage of the program to integrate systems. The Bombardier Global 6500 is one variant of the company’s highly successful Express business jet with a large cabin and a range of 6,600 nautical miles. It has a maximum endurance of up to 18 hours and up to 750 flight hours between maintenance intervals. The Army has recently restarted work on the project, and if everything proceeds as planned, the first aircraft will be ready for the force by the end of 2026 or early 2027. Moreover, the service plans to add more aircraft to the program – reportedly up to a dozen – depending on the need and threat analysis
Launched Effects UAV Drone US Army High-Altitude ISR HADES Bombardier Global 6500 A-ISR Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance
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