Global 6000 to join BACN fleet
Global 6000 aircraft. (Photo: Bombardier)
The US Air Force Life Cycle Management Center has awarded Bombardier Learjet a $464.85 million IDIQ contract to provide up to six Global 6000 aircraft in the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) programme.
Work on the sole-source contract will be performed in Wichita, Kansas, for completion in May 2026.
Shephard Defence Insight notes that BACN provides an airborne communications gateway capability to US commanders and warfighters, connecting voice and data link networks. The communications node bridges gaps between disparate systems, enabling situation awareness across multiple levels.
Today, BACN operates on two US platforms: the E-11A (a version of the Bombardier 700 business jet) and the EQ-4B Global Hawk UAS.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Digital Battlespace
-
Airbus launches final CSO observation satellite for French Armed Forces
Airbus was awarded the Composante Spatiale Optique (CSO) contract at the end of 2010. This included an option for a third satellite, which was activated after Germany joined the programme in 2015.
-
Intelligence advantage: How real-time GEOINT is reshaping military decision-making (Studio)
In today’s contested operational environment, adaptability is key. The new Geospatial-Intelligence as a Service (GEO IaaS) solution from Fujitsu and MAIAR empowers militaries by enabling intelligence advantage, combining advanced technology with human expertise to deliver actionable insights.
-
Israel sets up new department to boost development of AI and autonomy
Israel will continue to develop autonomy for its weapons and platforms as it brings together defence personnel, academia and industry.
-
Clavister contracted to supply cyber protection for CV90s
Clavister CyberArmour, an integrated defence cybersecurity system, will be used on BAE Systems Hägglunds’ CV90 platform in deployments with a Scandinavian country, as well as in an eastern European nation.
-
Lockheed Martin completes tactical satellite demonstration and prepares for launch
The tactical satellite (TacSat) is an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) system and will participate in exercises in 2025.
-
AUSA 2024: General Micro Systems adds four new products to the X9 Spider family
The airborne three-domain, the two ground-based and the ¼ ATR OpenVPX-based cross-domain systems were engineered to provide real-time security across multi-domain operations.