Major Defence Forces Chose Bizjet Based EW/SIGINT Platforms.

January 2026: BAE Systems and L3Harris Technologies have delivered 03 out of 10 EC-37B Compass Call aircraft to the US Air Force for combined developmental and operational testing.

BAE Systems produces the Airborne Electromagnetic Attack mission system, designed to disrupt enemy communications, radars, and navigation systems, and suppresses enemy air defences by preventing the transmission of essential information between adversaries, weapon systems, and command-and-control networks.

L3Harris has integrated the EC-130H Compass Call mission system into a Gulfstream G550 business jet that can remain aloft for 15 hours, cruise at 600 miles per hour, and reach a service ceiling of 51,000 feet.

L3Harris Technologies also received a US$300 million contract from Italy to deliver two EC-37B aircraft adapted for an electromagnetic warfare system, which is the first time the US government has approved an EA-37B sale to an international ally.

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is acquiring 04 G550-based MC-55As through a 2019 US$1.6 billion US foreign military sales contract that will provide Australia with advanced airborne EW and ISR capabilities. The first MC-55A Peregrine was delivered by the USAF to RAAF Base Edinburgh this month (January 2026), and the following 03 aircraft will remain with the USAF while supporting RAAF training and pre-delivery requirements. Ongoing software and hardware upgrades will ensure the Peregrine stays ready to meet evolving threats and future mission needs.

The United States and the German Air Forces use modified Bombardier Global 6000/6500 aircraft for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. L3Harris Technologies, Leidos, and MAG Aerospace have teamed for the US Army’s High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) programme to deliver a fleet of aerial intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft based on the Global 6500. The US Army selected the Sierra Nevada Corporation as the lead integrator in 2024. However, in 2025, the US Army reduced its initial procurement plan from 12 to six HADES aircraft due to budget considerations.

The Persistent German Airborne Surveillance System (PEGASUS) programme under the direction of HENSOLDT aims to provide the German military with airborne surveillance and SIGINT capabilities. In June 2021, HENSOLDT was awarded a USD$1.05 billion contract to deliver an advanced airborne electronic SIGINT system for three Global 6000 aircraft, based on its Kalaetron Integral platform, which is a SIGINT system intended for wide-area reconnaissance. The system provides the seamless integration of intelligence from communication signals (COMINT) and radar signals (ELINT).

HENSOLDT has worked with Lufthansa Technik Defence and Bombardier to integrate its system into the aircraft, giving the German Air Force an entirely new capability, which has remained unexplored as yet.

Team Maverick.