Germany's New Military Surveillance Jet Completes First Flight

November 4, 2024

Germany's new military surveillance aircraft, the Persistent German Airborne Surveillance System (PEGASUS), recently completed its first flight in Wichita, Kansas. (Image: Bombardier)

The Persistent German Airborne Surveillance System (PEGASUS), a Bombardier Global 6000 jet modified to provide signals intelligence for the German Armed Forces, completed its first flight at Bombardier's flight testing center in Wichita, Kansas.

Led by German sensor supplier Hensoldt, PEGASUS is an airborne missionized platform that will integrate the “Kalætron Integral” signals intelligence system to perform surveillance missions for the German armed forces. The Kalætron system, provided by Hensoldt, collects and analyzes military signals from radar and radio systems.

According to Hensoldt's website, the Kalætron Integral system has continuous frequency coverage from < 30 MHz to 40 GHz and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered big data management to store, share and analyze signals intelligence. The highly automated workflows are powered by machine learning and AI algorithms, which accelerate the decision-making process while reducing the workload of operators. These capabilities are essential in providing armed forces and governmental authorities with a real-time view of the electromagnetic order of battle.

As the aircraft officially enters its next phase and is moving one step closer to the Lufthansa Technik Defense-led systems integration and certification, a celebration was held to mark the first flight of PEGASUS. This stage of aircraft testing is conducted by the Bombardier Flight Test Centre (BFTC) team, located in Wichita, where Bombardier’s pilots validate key aspects of the program.

These successful tests demonstrate the high capability of the Bombardier Global aircraft to complete the German Air Force’s critical missions. This represents a program milestone for the first of three modified Global 6000 aircraft destined to be delivered to the German Bundeswehr.

“Today marks an important milestone for the PEGASUS program,” said Dietmar Thelen, Head of Spectrum Dominance Division at Hensoldt. “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.”

In June 2021, HENSOLDT was awarded the contract to supply an airborne system for electronic signals intelligence on board three Bombardier Global jets based on its Kalætron Integral system. Since that award, HENSOLDT, Lufthansa Technik Defense and Bombardier have collaborated closely on a joint design activity. Extensive structural modification work has been performed to prepare the first aircraft at Bombardier Defense’s U.S. base in Wichita, Kansas.

Upon completion of initial testing, each aircraft will be transferred to Lufthansa Technik Defense’s facilities in Hamburg for further integration work. The company is moreover responsible for the regulatory certification of PEGASUS on the overall aircraft level. So far, Lufthansa Technik has completed its design activities for the integration of the mission system, the additional civil and military avionics systems as well as the aircraft cabin.

The production process of interior parts has also already started in order to ensure the components’ readiness for immediate installation when the aircraft arrives in Hamburg. In the meantime, HENSOLDT has adapted the systems architecture to the operational needs of the German Bundeswehr. The corresponding hardware and software developments are currently in progress, various demonstrations have shown the immense potential and capabilities of the upcoming solution.

Hensoldt is acting as general contractor and bears overall responsibility for the realization of the project. Lufthansa Technik Defense will act as a subcontractor, procuring the modified aircraft from Bombardier and fitting and integrating the reconnaissance system developed by Hensoldt into the platform. Many small and medium sized enterprises from all over Germany, Canada and the U.S. are involved in the project as part of the supply chain for all companies bringing PEGASUS to the finish line.

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