Bombardier Defense has announced the delivery of its eighth Global jet to the United States Air Force (USAF) for its Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) programme. This delivery is part of an ongoing multi-year contract between Bombardier and the USAF, valued at nearly US$465 million. Under previous agreements, Bombardier Defense has already delivered seven Global aircraft for BACN, with a ninth aircraft slated for delivery in 2025.
“We are proud that Bombardier’s category-defining Global aircraft continue to be a platform of choice for the U.S. Air Force,” said Jean-Christophe Gallagher, Executive Vice President, Aircraft Sales and Bombardier Defense. “The speed, agility and low operating costs of our Global jets make them ideally suited for specialised missions meant to strengthen national and international security initiatives, such as the critical BACN programme. With the delivery of this aircraft, Bombardier Defence continues to deepen its relationship with the U.S. Air Force and set itself apart as a missionized platform provider of choice.”
The BACN aircraft, designated E-11A, serves as a specialised communications platform that enhances situational awareness and interoperability. Dubbed “Wi-Fi in the sky” by the USAF, BACN-equipped Global aircraft act as high-altitude communications relays, bridging voice and tactical data between air and ground forces and overcoming obstacles such as mountainous terrain, challenging landscapes, or distance. With their unmatched combination of speed, range, and endurance, Bombardier Global aircraft are selected for over ten different mission types globally.
Bombardier Defense boasts in-house engineering and support teams capable of incorporating client-specific modifications, offering integrated solutions and full certification capabilities across civilian, military and hybrid operations. Recognised worldwide for its versatile and proven specialised aircraft platforms, Bombardier draws on decades of experience working with special mission operators and leading mission systems integrators.
