In June 2021, HENSOLDT was awarded the contract to supply an airborne system for electronic signals intelligence (SIGINT) integrated into three Bombardier Global business jets. The SIGINT suite is based on the reknown Kalaetron Integral solution and combined with an extensive ground segment.

Since that award, HENSOLDT, Lufthansa Technik Defense and Bombardier Defense have collaborated closely on a joint design activity.

In this project HENSOLDT acts as general contractor and is also responsible for the production of the entire reconnaissance technology. Lufthansa Technik, based in Hamburg, is responsible for the procurement of the aircraft from the manufacturer Bombardier and their modification (cabin conversion, installation of reconnaissance technology).

Altogether, almost 30 companies, many of them medium-sized, from all over Germany are involved in the project as suppliers and partners.

In late 2023, the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has approved one of the most important project milestones – the so-called Critical Design Review (CDR) – and thus given the green light for the implementation of the system design.

The close cooperation between the Bundeswehr and HENSOLDT since the beginning of the project activities guaranteed that the presented design was widely accepted.

The underlying reconnaissance solution Kalaetron Integral offers a globally unique, high-performance reconnaissance capability based on powerful German key technology.

In October 2024, the three partners HENSOLDT, Lufthansa Technik Defense and Bombardier Defense celebrated the first flight of the PEGASUS aircraft out of Bombardier’s facility 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.

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.