Over a year ago, L3Harris Technologies delivered the first fully missionized Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft into operational service in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility. Today, two of these platforms, known as ATHENA-R, are averaging more than 400 flight hours per month in support of critical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
The ATHENA-R aircraft has greater survivability and targeting line-of-sight, along with more capacity for payloads and standoff ranges to support critical missions across the globe.
ATHENA-R represents a defining achievement in modern airborne ISR. As the world’s first fully missionized Global 6500 to be fielded, it is purpose-built to close the gap between the U.S. Army’s medium- and high-altitude ISR fleets. Designed with enhanced survivability, extended standoff ranges, targeting line-of-sight capability and expanded payload capacity, the aircraft delivers advanced radar and electronic communications intelligence effects directly to combatant commanders.
It also reinforces the accelerating demand for commercial-derivative aircraft that can be rapidly transformed into affordable, highly capable ISR solutions. In partnership with MAG Aerospace, L3Harris delivered this capability on an expedited timeline to support the U.S. Army’s Indo-Pacific modernization priorities.
The ARES aircraft provides intelligence support in the U.S. INDOPACOM area of responsibility and demonstrates how existing fleet sensors and technologies perform on a modern platform.
Complementing ATHENA-R is the Army’s Airborne Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare Aircraft, known as ARES. Missionized in fewer than six months, ARES is flying operational missions today. Nearly four years after its deployment, ARES has surpassed 8,500 flight hours while maintaining over 99% operational availability, setting a new industry benchmark for mission readiness and reliability in the missionized business jet category. ARES demonstrates an integration timeline that outpaces traditional approaches. As a key technical demonstrator for the Army’s airborne ISR modernization plan, it exemplifies the speed, adaptability and upgrade path that defines L3Harris’ missionized business jet approach.
Building Global Momentum Across the Portfolio
The progress does not stop with Army ISR.
MC-55A Peregrine aircraft will give the Royal Australian Air Force information superiority and serve as strategic assets for future Australian Defence Force operations.
In January, L3Harris delivered the first MC-55A aircraft to the U.S. Air Force in support of Australia’s new Peregrine fleet under a Foreign Military Sales program. The MC-55A will provide airborne electronic warfare and ISR capabilities to strengthen multi-domain operations for Australia and coalition partners.
The EA-37B Compass Call aircraft delivers a transformational electromagnetic attack capability – one designed not just for today’s threats, but for the evolving threat environment ahead.
The EA-37B Compass Call aircraft delivers a transformational electromagnetic attack capability –
one designed not just for today’s threats, but for the evolving threat environment ahead.
As co-primes with BAE Systems on the EA-37B Compass Call program, L3Harris continues to modernize the U.S. Air Force’s electromagnetic warfare mission. To date, five Gulfstream G550-based EA-37B aircraft have been delivered, with additional platforms in modification and integration. This next-generation capability ensures the Air Force can outpace adversary communications and counter emerging technologies for decades to come.
Artist rendering of L3Harris Technologies’ AERIS next-generation airborne early warning and control solution.
International demand continues to grow. In October, the Republic of Korea Air Force selected L3Harris’ modified Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft for its airborne early warning and control fleet. Two aircraft have already been received to begin mission system integration, demonstrating program momentum and reinforcing confidence in commercial-derivative solutions for advanced battle management networks.
Across ISR, electronic warfare, airborne early warning and maritime surveillance missions, L3Harris has now delivered 105 missionized business jets worldwide, with 18 additional aircraft currently on order. This represents the industry's largest fleet of operational missionized business jet platforms and the deepest base of operational lessons learned.
What distinguishes this portfolio is disciplined integration, operational rigor and the ability to accelerate mission readiness, providing air forces and government operators with faster delivery timelines, lower lifecycle costs and adaptable mission systems. While others pursue developmental timelines, L3Harris’ platforms are delivering effects today.
ATHENA-R’s operational performance results speak for themselves: missionized business jets are not a future concept. They are a proven capability – fielded, flying and delivering operational advantage today.
