The U.S. Army’s High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (Hades) program took another step forward with the selection of Sierra Nevada Corp. (SNC) as the lead system integrator under a 12-year contract that could have a total value of $1 billion. Initial indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract is for $93.5 million. Hades aircraft are based on the Bombardier Global 6500.

This award to SNC follows the grant of a contract to Bombardier late last year to supply a Global 6500 for the Hades program. That contract included options for two more, but ultimately the Army anticipates that the program could call for at least 14 aircraft.

Bombardier will hand over the first aircraft in October, which will then undergo systems integration at SNC. The Army’s goal is to take delivery of the fully-equipped aircraft in 2027.

Hades is designed to help modernize an aging fleet of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft, many of which “are remnants of the Cold War,” the Army said. It began to form the program in 2020 specifically to replace legacy turboprops that make up the Guardrail, Enhanced Medium Altitude Reconnaissance and Surveillance System, and Airborne Reconnaissance Low fleet.

These will be the first Army-owned large-cabin business jets for ISR, the service added, saying the program “will provide transformational increases in speed, range, payload and endurance for Army aerial intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.”

An emerging hot-button topic in aviation centers on a concept that reduces the number of pilots on the flight deck of airliners and business jets. Strong opinions on the subject pit major aircraft manufacturers against airline pilot unions, while regulators begin to study the feasibility of the idea from both the safety and efficiency standpoint.

From a manufacturer’s perspective, Airbus and Dassault Aviation are “all in,” leveraging technology to reduce the number or remove pilots from the cockpit altogether, while Boeing seems far less committed to the idea. [Ed note: Dassault is exploring single-pilot operations for its Falcon 10X only in straight-and-level cruise operations. Also, thousands of in-service Cessna, Embraer, and Cirrus light jets are already certified for single-pilot operations.]

EASA has warmed up to the idea and could allow reduced crew operations on long-haul flights by 2027 and single-pilot operations sometime after 2030. To date, the FAA has remained neutral on the subject.

Pilot unions from around the globe have joined forces to launch the “Safety Starts with 2” campaign, arguing that a reduced crew component would increase the workload of the remaining pilot while “eliminating a critical layer of monitoring, cross-checking, and operating redundancy provided by the second pilot on the flight deck.” In a joint statement on single-pilot operations, the group of pilot labor unions said, “It’s a profit-driven scheme that poses a significant safety risk.”

NASA and MagniX yesterday unveiled the de Havilland Canada Dash 7 aircraft that they’re preparing to retrofit with a hybrid-electric propulsion system for the agency’s Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) program. Canadian regional airline Air Tindi provided the 45-year-old turboprop, which the EPFD program partners have converted to an experimental testbed.

NASA awarded Everett, Washington-based MagniX a $74.3 million contract in 2021 for the development of an electric propulsion system for the EPFD program. Seattle-based AeroTec, a longtime MagniX partner, is also supporting the project and will help to integrate the electric motors with the airframe at its flight test facility in Moses Lake, Washington, where the flight testing campaign will be based.

With the aircraft gutted and refurbished to flightworthy condition, the team is now preparing for the next phase of the program, in which they will swap out one of the four turbine engines with a MagniX Magni650 electric propulsion unit (EPU). Flight tests with the single engine replacement are scheduled to begin in 2026.

For the second phase of the flight-test campaign, the team will swap out another engine on the opposite side of the aircraft for a second Magni650 EPU. They expect this configuration to deliver a 40% reduction in fuel burn and emissions.

NBAA will honor long-time former Bombardier leaders Laurent and Pierre Beaudoin with the association’s Meritorious Service to Aviation Award, recognizing their leadership in fostering industry growth, business aviation safety, and sustainability. The award will be presented on October 22 at NBAA-BACE 2024.

“Laurent and Pierre exemplify the pioneering spirit of this honor,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. “Their trailblazing leadership drove the creation of entirely new market categories for business and commercial aircraft and helped set the standard for excellence in safety and sustainability. Their work continues to inspire current and future generations of business aviation professionals.”

Laurent Beaudoin joined Bombardier in 1963, became president three years later, and was ultimately named CEO in 1979. He took the company public and ventured into the aviation industry with the 1986 purchase of Canadair. Later tacking on a series of other manufacturers, including Learjet, Bombardier has since rolled out a series of business jets and regional aircraft.

Laurent’s son, Pierre Beaudoin, joined Bombardier in 1985 and became president of the company’s business aircraft unit in 2001 before stepping into the role of president and CEO of the overall company in 2008 and ultimately chairman.

NBAA credited them for leadership that also led to the creation of the Bombardier Safety Standdown, which has brought key aviation safety information to thousands of aviators.

Luxembourg-based European Air Ambulance has expanded its aeromedical fleet with a second Bombardier Challenger 605. The large-cabin business jet is equipped with two Spectrum Aeromed intensive care units and a third logistical stretcher.

With the addition of this Challenger 605, European Air Ambulance’s fixed-wing fleet has grown to five airplanes—two 605s and three Bombardier Learjet 45XRs. All of the jets are used for air ambulance and organ transportation flights, with the Learjets flown on shorter trips and the Challengers available for overseas missions.

The company transports people on about 1,000 missions to about 80 countries per year, including individuals or in partnership with insurance and assistance companies, governments and non-government organizations, and businesses. It can handle patients with infectious diseases, premature babies, and those with many other types of vulnerabilities.

As a member of the nonprofit Luxembourg Air Rescue Group, European Air Ambulance’s fleet complements the group’s five MD Helicopters MD902s and two Airbus Helicopters H145D3s.

An international partnership intends to develop substantial eVTOL and advanced air mobility (AAM) infrastructure across the 1,200 islands of the Maldives. Dubai-based helicopter and vertiport operator Air Chateau DWC, the Maldives state-owned Regional Airports Co., and Wings Capital Management of Abu Dhabi, UAE, have signed a memorandum of understanding to roll out VVIP and high-net-worth air taxi, commercial cargo, and passenger operations with eVTOLs and AAM infrastructure across the Maldives as part of Project Elevate Maldives.

Under the agreement, Air Chateau will develop a network of up to 100 vertiports and 500 drone ports to connect the islands with project management from Wings Capital. Regional Airports—which currently operates eight airports across the Maldives, with plans to increase that number to 15—will convey operating rights to Air Chateau for up to 20 years.

“With a total addressable market for air tourism transfers estimated at around half a billion dollars annually, the Maldives exemplifies the potential for island air mobility, similar to regional air mobility and urban air mobility,” said Samir Mohammed, chairman and founder of Air Chateau. “Our helicopters and future eVTOL operations will simply complement the existing transportation modes, creating a synergistic and convenient hub-and-spoke system.”

Boston Executive FBO, a service provider at Norwood Memorial Airport in Massachusetts, helped give some local U.S. service member veterans a day they will never forget earlier this month when it hosted Dream Flights, an organization dedicated to honoring veterans through flight experiences.

The group brought a vintage Stearman biplane to the airport—the tandem, open-cockpit aircraft was a common military flight trainer during WWII—and gave Air Force, Navy, and Army veterans from the Korean and Vietnam War eras flights over the area. For the former aviators, the opportunity brought back memories, with one stating, “Every time I get near an airplane I get excited!” Also, there were additional airplanes and helicopters on display in the FBO’s hangar during the event.

Boston Executive’s fuel provider AEG Fuels was a co-sponsor of the event, providing fuel for the flights. In addition, AEG also covered a day-long barbeque and frozen treats for the veterans—residents of nearby assisted-living facilities—and their families.