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HENSOLDT, Lufthansa Technik Defense and Bombardier Defense Celebrate Successful First Flight of PEGASUS Aircraft

Bombardier Inc.
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Bombardier Inc.
Bombardier Inc.

  • Bombardier’s Global aircraft, modified for the German armed forces’ Persistent German Airborne Surveillance System (PEGASUS) program, takes to the skies at Bombardier’s Wichita Flight Test Center

  • With this new milestone, the first aircraft out of three to integrate the HENSOLDT “Kalætron Integral” signals intelligence (SIGINT) system for airborne surveillance missions is one step closer to entering service

  • The aircraft will remain at Bombardier’s Wichita facility for further flight testing before its upcoming systems integration and aircraft certification, to be completed by Lufthansa Technik Defense in Hamburg, Germany

  • An official celebration of PEGASUS’ first flight was held in Wichita today, bringing together officials from HENSOLDT, Lufthansa Technik Defense and Bombardier Defense. This event marked the beginning of the flight testing phases for the next-generation German program

PEGASUS First Flight
PEGASUS First Flight


WICHITA, Kan., Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HENSOLDT, Lufthansa Technik Defense and Bombardier Defense today announced that the PEGASUS aircraft has completed its first flight out of Bombardier’s facility in Wichita, Kansas. Led by HENSOLDT, PEGASUS is an airborne missionized platform that will integrate the Kalætron Integral SIGINT system to perform highly critical signal surveillance missions for the German armed forces. As the aircraft officially enters its next phase and is moving one step closer to the Lufthansa Technik Defense-led systems integration and certification, a celebration was held to mark the PEGASUS aircraft’s first flight. Representatives from HENSOLDT, Lufthansa Technik and Bombardier Defense as well as representatives from the German Armed Forces traveled from Germany, Canada, and across the United States to gather in Wichita and celebrate this pivotal program milestone.

This stage of aircraft testing is conducted by the Bombardier Flight Test Centre (BFTC) team, located in Wichita, where Bombardier’s highly skilled pilots validate key aspects of the program. These successful tests demonstrate the high capability of the Bombardier Global aircraft to complete the German Air Force’s critical missions. This represents a significant milestone for the first of three modified Global 6000 aircraft destined to be delivered to the German Bundeswehr.

“Germany’s next generation signal intelligence aircraft is flying high,” said Steve Patrick, Vice President, Bombardier Defense. “This successful first flight is the result of the strong collaboration and shared knowledge between HENSOLDT, Lufthansa Technik Defense, Bombardier Defense and our suppliers, to get the modified, high-performing Global 6000 aircraft for the PEGASUS program in the air. With flight testing regularly underway from Bombardier’s Wichita base, the aircraft continues to gather essential certification data to improve and perfect the platform before it moves to the next stage.”

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