Request for Information - High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES)

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. The U.S. Army Fixed Wing Project Office is seeking information regarding a requirement for up to eleven (11) Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft to support the High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) program. The HADES system is an integrated Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) system. This will be a supply contract with embedded services.

• Aircraft Platform: New OEM aircraft, Government-Owned Government Operated (GOGO).

• Operational Altitude: Operate between 41,000 - 51,000 feet Above Mean Sea Level (MSL).

• Payload & Endurance: Minimum of 14,000 pounds payload, with a minimum of 12 hours unrefueled flight endurance (including IFR fuel reserve).

• Production: In-production through calendar year 2032.

• Materials: Aircraft fuselage and empennage skin and structural components shall not be composite materials (limited composite use for specific parts is permissible).

• Speed: Capable of sustained transit speeds >= 450 knots true air speed (KTAS) at maximum operational altitude.

• Compliance: Global Air Traffic Management (GATM) and Future Air Navigation System 1/A compliant.

• Amenities: Fully enclosed Lavatory functional to aircraft exterior water and waste servicing ports.

• Self-Deployment: Ability to self-deploy with a range of 6,000 nautical miles (NM).

• Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost for a green platform and proposed Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) for Outer Mold Line (OML) changes.

• List of STCs or foreseen challenges for integrating wing hard points and Aerial-ISR capabilities; Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of company/team.

• Estimate of operational flying hour cost.

• Capacity to support U.S. Government (USG) purchase of up to 4 aircraft per year, including delivery timelines.

• Platform's (excess) size, weight, power, and cooling for mission equipment; mission power distribution system.

• Previous commercial determinations for existing products.

• If an aircraft OEM, approach to Engineering Services, Data Acquisition, Airworthiness Certification/Qualification, and any foreseen challenges.

• List of other DoD or USG customers and any existing contract vehicles.

• List of Foreign Military Sales or International Sales.

• Existence and level of an existing flight simulator.

• Contract Type: Planned to be awarded as sole source, Single Award Indefinite Delivery/Infinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contract.

• Period of Performance: Anticipated 10-year ordering period.

• Order Types: Orders may be issued as Fixed Price, Cost Reimbursable, or a hybrid.

• Location: Anticipated locations are CONUS and OCONUS.

• Capability Statement Format: Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat Reader, 12-point font (Times New Roman, Arial, or Aptos), no more than 15 written pages.

• Proprietary Information: Vendors should label any proprietary information.

• Submission Method: Send company and/or descriptive literature via email to the listed POCs.

• Questions: All questions and comments must be in writing (email responses acceptable).

• Response Date: 12 February 2026 at 3:00pm (CST).

• This announcement supports FAR Part 10 Market Research.

• Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if issued.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document is a revised RFI (Request for Information) supporting the Army Fixed Wing Project Office's effort. It addresses initial questions posed by vendors and provides details on required modifications.

• The RFI details a requirement for up to eleven (11) Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft.
• The effort includes the procurement of these aircraft along with specific modifications.
• The RFI has been revised to include details on several modifications required for this effort.
• Initial vendor questions have been addressed and are attached for reference.

This document provides clarification and revised details relevant to potential bidders interested in the aircraft procurement and modification effort.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding a Request for Information (RFI) for the HADES program, clarifying requirements and scope.

• Down-select: This RFI will not lead to a down-select, but a future RFP might.
• Aircraft Platform: The Army is looking to procure Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft. Vendors should detail excess capacity on a green aircraft and any STCs or modifications that could augment it.
• HADES IDIQ: This effort supports a new IDIQ for aircraft procurement, distinct from the existing HADES LSI contract.
• Payload and Endurance: The requirement is confirmed at 14,000 lbs. of payload and 12 hours of endurance.
• Performance Metrics: The government is not issuing performance metrics for supply support; contractors are expected to develop their own solutions.
• RFI Revision: The RFI has been revised to request feedback on air platforms meeting requirements and ROM costs for green aircraft and STC development/installation.

This Q&A clarifies aspects of the RFI, including aircraft type, payload, and the nature of the contract, which may influence vendor responses and understanding of the opportunity.

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes by the Army Fixed Wing (FW) Project Office. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue one in the future. The U.S. Army is seeking information regarding a requirement for up to eleven (11) Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft to support the High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) program. HADES will be an integrated Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) system. This will be a supply contract with embedded services.

• Aircraft Platform: New OEM aircraft, Government-Owned Government Operated (GOGO).

• Performance: Operate between 41,000 - 51,000 feet Above Mean Sea Level (MSL), with a minimum threshold of 41k or above after integration of 6,500lbs of Mission Equipment Package (MEP).

• Payload: Minimum of 14,000 pounds.

• Endurance: 12 hours or more of unrefueled flight endurance (including IFR fuel reserve requirements).

• Speed: Capable of sustained transit speeds greater than 450 knots true air speed (KTAS) at maximum operational altitude.

• Compliance: Global Air Traffic Management (GATM) and Future Air Navigation System 1/A compliant.

• Features: Fully enclosed lavatory, ability to self-deploy with a range of 6,000 nautical miles (NM).

• Certification: Solutions proposed shall obtain FAA certification, to the maximum extent possible, of any design changes during missionization.

• Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost for a green platform and proposed Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) for Outer Mold Line (OML) changes.

• List of STCs or challenges for integrating specific components (wing hardpoints, belly canoe, SATCOM cheek radome, A-ISR capabilities) and Technology Readiness Level.

• Estimate of operational flying hour cost.

• Capacity to support U.S. Government (USG) purchase of up to 4 aircraft per year, including delivery timelines.

• Platform's size, weight, power, and cooling capabilities for mission equipment, and mission power distribution system description.

• Previous commercial determinations for existing products.

• Approach to Engineering Services, Data Acquisition, Airworthiness Certification/Qualification if an OEM.

• Other DoD or USG customers and existing contract vehicles.

• Foreign Military Sales or International Sales.

• Existence and level of an existing flight simulator.

• Anticipated award as a sole source, Single Award Indefinite Delivery/Infinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contract.

• Anticipated 10-year ordering period.

• Orders may be issued as Fixed Price, Cost Reimbursable, or a hybrid.

• Capability Statements should be no more than 15 written pages, in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat Reader format, with a minimum 12-point font.

• Interested vendors should label any proprietary information.

• Submit company and/or descriptive literature along with responses via email.

• Response Date: 12 February 2026 at 3:00pm (CST).

• James Pattullo: james.h.pattullo.civ@army.mil

• Laurel Miller: laurel.d.miller2.civ@army.mil

• This announcement supports FAR Part 10 Market Research.

• Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP.

• It is the responsibility of potential offerors to monitor https://sam.gov/ for future solicitations.