L3Harris Technologies, Leidos, and MAG Aerospace have formed a partnership for the U.S. Army’s High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) program. Their goal is to deliver a fleet of aerial intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft to gather operational intelligence against advanced adversaries.
The team brings decades of experience in missionization on business jet platforms. They have also invested in building and operating the Army’s concept of operations for modern multi-domain missions. According to Jason Lambert, President of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance at L3Harris, their team is the most experienced in producing and delivering Army aerial ISR solutions.
Leidos, known for its expertise in open architecture, aircraft modifications, and integration of complex mission packages, is pleased to contribute its knowledge to the HADES team. Tim Freeman, Senior Vice President and Airborne Solutions Operations Manager at Leidos, stated that their experience in designing and operating special mission aircraft will help ensure the success of HADES, providing an intelligence advantage for the United States and its allies.
MAG Aerospace, which leads the Army’s ATHENA-R program with L3Harris, also brings substantial investments in the Army’s next-generation ISR platforms. Matt Bartlett, President of MAG Aerospace, believes that HADES will play a crucial role in providing deep sensing solutions for the Army’s Long-Range Precision Fires priority.
The L3Harris-led team has experience in designing, integrating, certifying, and operating ISR business jets for the Army. L3Harris currently operates a Bombardier Global Series jet as part of the Army’s Airborne Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare System program, while Leidos operates two special mission aircraft for the Army’s Airborne Reconnaissance Targeting and Exploitation Multi-Mission Intelligence System program.
The proposed HADES solution, integrated on Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft, will enhance survivability, capability, and coverage in support of U.S. combatant commands. Additionally, L3Harris is working on Phase 2 of the Army’s Multi-Domain Sensing System program to develop prototype electronic and communications intelligence sensors for the HADES platform.
The collaboration between L3Harris, Leidos, and MAG Aerospace will contribute to the Army’s efforts in achieving its long-range precision fires modernization priority. By delivering a fleet of advanced ISR aircraft, the team aims to provide valuable operational intelligence against the nation’s most advanced adversaries.
