Leidos Builds & Will Lease SIGINT/EW Special Mission Aircraft

 

AUSA: One of the most important lessons the US Army learned when Russia invade Ukraine was that signals intelligence can be very effectively used to target an enemy. Leidos is developing an aircraft on its own dime to make that widely possible for US and NATO forces, using its extensive experience in the classified world to integrate sensors, data fusion workstations and many antenna (think a more elegant version of the Army Guardrail plane).

An urgent needs requirement was issued for the plane on Sept. 26 by OSD (probably by the USDI office), so there is a demonstrated and recognized need for it. The first plane is being built to use in the biggest military exercises held in a quarter century, Defender 2020. Leidos hopes this won’t be the only one it builds.

Leidos bought a Bombardier Challenger 650 that boasts a 4,000NM range, which can translate into a 10-hour loiter period near the targets. Its sensors and physics allow it to operate out of range of Russian or Chinese anti-aircraft systems, while still making them and other key assets targets, the company says.

Perhaps the most intriguing part of the effort is the business model. The aircraft is contractor owned and operated. Leidos will: integrate the sensors, data systems and all the ancillaries on the aircraft; fly it; maintain and support it; own it; and sell sort of a Netflix-like monthly subscription to the service.

For more details, watch the video!