Bombardier recently celebrated the seventh delivery of a Global 6000 aircraft to the US Air Force (USAF) Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) program at the company's Hartford Service Centre, in Connecticut.

The BACN aircraft is a specialized communications platform, known in the USAF as the E-11A, that is part of a previously announced multi-year contract representing a potential total value of close to US$465 million. Bombardier has already delivered six Global aircraft to the BACN program under previous agreements. The USAF has the option to purchase an additional aircraft each year through 2026 under the 2021 contract.

"Bombardier Defense is proud to be a trusted partner of the US Air Force," said Jean-Christophe Gallagher, Executive Vice-President, Aircraft Sales and Bombardier Defense. "Our flexibility and mission-focused approach has made the Global aircraft exceedingly recognized as the optimal option for governments and defense contractors around the world. Leveraging state-of-the-art integrated technology and a team of high-skilled experts, Bombardier Defense continues to strengthen its ties with the US Air Force and to deliver its renowned platforms utilized to reinforce national and international security."

As part of the critical BACN program, Bombardier's Global aircraft serve as high-altitude communications gateways, relaying or bridging voice and data between air and surface forces, surmounting traditional obstacles such as mountains, rough terrain or distance. Dubbed "Wi-Fi in the sky" by the USAF, BACN-equipped Global aircraft acts as a universal gateway that can be utilized around the world. The Global family of aircraft is the platform of choice for more than 10 different mission types across the world given their ultimate combination of speed, range and endurance, and the 24/7 worldwide support infrastructure Bombardier has implemented.

Bombardier Defense has dedicated in-house engineering and support teams in Wichita, KS, with the ability to incorporate customer-requested modifications and provide comprehensive integration solutions with complete certification capabilities across the full spectrum of civilian, military and hybrid operations. Recognized around the world for its diverse portfolio of proven and versatile specialized aircraft platforms, Bombardier cumulates decades of experience working with hundreds of special mission operators and renowned mission systems integrators.