SNC Forges Ahead with Second RAPCON-X™ Aerial ISR Jet
Second Bombardier Global 6500 jet arrives in Maryland for transformation
HAGERSTOWN, Md., (Dec. 22, 2022) – The second of two commercial derivative aircraft (CDA) has arrived at Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) for transformation into the company’s new, rapidly configurable, aerial intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (AISR) platform, RAPCON-X™. RAPCON-X is the newest addition to SNC’s turnkey, AISR as a service model for contractor-owned-contractor-operated (COCO) capabilities – including aircraft, pilot, flight and maintenance operations and logistics support deployable in hours of notice.
SNC Executive Vice President Tim Owings took receipt of the Bombardier Global 6500 jet from Bombardier Aerospace Vice President of Defense Sales Michael Anckner. SNC received the first RAPCON-X aircraft in November, continuing engineering and working to integrate key systems immediately. The arrival of the second RAPCON-X jet leaves SNC poised to have both aircraft operational by Q1 of 2024.
“Our forward-looking design process and engineering techniques place RAPCON-X among the most capable and rapidly configurable AISR platforms worldwide,” said Tim Owings, executive vice president of SNC’s MST business area. “RAPCON-X is a system-of-systems that arrives ready to complete the mission, whenever and wherever the need is, quickly modifying as the battlespace evolves.”
RAPCON-X is engineered ready for Aircraft Survivability Equipment (ASE) installation. Its large body and unique design provide the space and excess electrical power to easily accommodate current mission equipment while allowing for substantial future growth in requirements. Further, as a CDA, RAPCON-X offers the high reliability, superior range and endurance to facilitate immediate worldwide deployability within an operational envelope that enhances survivability.
Combining ASE with deep-sensing standoff capability – from 45,000 feet MSL and above – RAPCON-X allows operations in the peer near-peer, A2/AD environment. It is self-contained and fully mission capable without special support equipment.
About SNC
SNC is a trusted global leader in aerospace and national security. Our innovative solutions enable connected protection through command, control and communications systems, as well as ISR, cyber, electromagnetic spectrum management, and other high capabilities for national security systems across all domains – sea, land, air, space and cyber. As a longstanding leader in defense technology, SNC is at the optimum intersection of commercial, defense and non-traditional contractors. We are one of the only privately owned mid-tier A&D contractors and we pride ourselves on our ability to invest early and often to ensure mission success on or ahead of schedule. It's part of our mission to always stay one step ahead; working on solutions today to solve the problems of tomorrow. Founded in 1963, SNC is owned by Chairwoman Eren Ozmen and CEO Fatih Ozmen.