SNC Invests in the Future of the Army, Procures Fourth HADES Aircraft

• SNC procures Bombardier Global 6500 jet intended for US Army HADES program, answering call for Defense Industrial Base investment to speed fielding of next-gen solutions.
• First non-prototype aircraft purchase pushes systems integration work ahead of schedule, aligning with Army modernization priorities and reducing technical and integration risk.
• As Lead Systems Integrator, many of SNC’s signature design and integration capabilities, to include AI/ML, are incorporated into the HADES system, empowering mission processing, exploitation and dissemination to more quickly facilitate all-domain awareness.

SPARKS, Nev. (Jan. 13, 2026) – SNC has answered the Pentagon’s call to lean forward through investment to drive innovation and speed in future-proof technology. At the close of 2025, the company purchased at its own expense, a Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft intended for the Army’s High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) program of record. The move not only solidifies SNC’s commitment to advancing next-generation aerial intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (A-ISR), SNC’s proactive aircraft procurement mitigates risk of potential future disruptions to the program, pulls development schedules left, advances supplemental type certificate (STC) milestones and accelerates delivery. The jet is intended as the first non-prototype aircraft in the A-ISR fleet.  

"The Secretary of the Army has challenged the industrial base to take risks, invest private capital and innovate on behalf of the nation,” said Andrew Evans, director of strategy & transformation within the Army G-2. “SNC has unequivocally answered that call. SNC’s willingness to 'lean-forward' on the HADES program sets a new standard for how industry can partner with the Army to deliver next-generation capabilities at the pace of need."

This milestone reflects direct alliance with the Army’s strategy for innovation and readiness. HADES builds upon data from initial Army Theater-Level High Altitude Expeditionary Next Airborne (ATHENA) ISR platforms, whose experimental capabilities informed design of the advanced HADES solution. In addition, the first three HADES aircraft currently undergoing modification are prototypes, the first of which is scheduled for delivery into Army operational service in 2026. These HADES prototypes are critical for reducing program risk and maturing key technologies using a modular open systems approach (MOSA).

“HADES is more than an aircraft; it is a program built on urgency, discipline and mission focus,” said Josh Walsh, vice president of programs at SNC. “By investing early and executing ahead of schedule, our teams are reducing risk, accelerating capability delivery and ensuring the Army receives a proven, operationally relevant A-ISR solution when it matters most. This is what disciplined program execution in service of the warfighter looks like.”

HADES capitalizes on a proven, commercially available aircraft that acts as the foundation upon which HADES is built. Utilizing the Global 6500 in this manner allows SNC to focus on perfecting and integrating the program’s highly specialized mission systems, concentrating resources where they create the most decisive advantage. SNC’s procurement of the fourth jet will accelerate HADES flight testing, facilitating faster operational deployment and advancing the Army’s mission readiness.

“These investments are more than just technologies—they reflect SNC’s alignment with the Army’s vision and unwavering commitment to modernization,” said Tim Owings, executive vice president at SNC. “Leaning forward is essential for staying ahead of emerging threats, and we’re proud to support the Army’s pivot to next-generation systems with HADES leading the way in battlefield superiority. Across programs, we now have seven jets in our facility undergoing modernization for global A-ISR missions.” 

To date, across programs, SNC has self-invested nearly half-a-billion dollars in the Army’s shift to pioneering A-ISR technologies. This investment includes procuring three jets for use as prototypes, building a robust digital modeling environment for design and testing, and deploying AI-driven procurement tools to synchronize supply chain and integration efforts. SNC’s investments have directly enabled delivery of key multi-domain technologies demanded by the Army.

The HADES program champions adaptability and technological innovation in intelligence capabilities, redefining aerospace solutions for multi-domain operations. SNC’s strategic partnerships and alignment with Army priorities reinforce its role as a trusted leader in powering the Army’s global modernization initiatives. The HADES aircraft will be modified in Hagerstown, Maryland, where SNC draws a workforce from Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

For more information, visit www.sncorp.com.

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.

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