The second of two commercial derivative aircraft (CDA) has arrived at Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) for transformation into the company’s new, rapidly configurable, aerial intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (AISR) platform, RAPCON-X. SNC Executive Vice President Tim Owings took receipt of the Bombardier Global 6500 jet from Bombardier Aerospace Vice President of Defense Sales Michael Anckner. RAPCON-X is the newest addition to SNC’s turnkey, AISR as a service model for contractor-owned-contractor-operated (COCO) capabilities – including aircraft, pilot, flight and maintenance operations and logistics support deployable in hours of notice. RAPCON-X is engineered ready for Aircraft Survivability Equipment (ASE) installation.
“Our forward-looking design process and engineering techniques place RAPCON-X among the most capable and rapidly configurable AISR platforms worldwide. RAPCON-X is a system-of-systems that arrives ready to complete the mission, whenever and wherever the need is, quickly modifying as the battlespace evolves,” said Tim Owings, executive vice president of SNC’s MST business area.
SNC received the first RAPCON-X aircraft in November, continuing engineering and working to integrate key systems immediately. The arrival of the second RAPCON-X jet leaves SNC poised to have both aircraft operational by Q1 of 2024. Its large body and unique design provide the space and excess electrical power to easily accommodate current mission equipment while allowing for substantial future growth in requirements. Further, as a CDA, RAPCON-X offers the high reliability, superior range and endurance to facilitate immediate worldwide deployability within an operational envelope that enhances survivability. Combining ASE with deep-sensing standoff capability – from 45,000 feet MSL and above – RAPCON-X allows operations in the peer near-peer, A2/AD environment. It is self-contained and fully mission capable without special support equipment.
Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) is an American, privately held aerospace and national security contractor specializing in aircraft modification and integration, space components and systems, and related technology products for cybersecurity and health. The company contracts with the United States Armed Forces, NASA, and private spaceflight companies. Best known for its unique mission applications, SNC creates customized solutions for the world’s most pressing technology challenges in the fields of aviation, national security space, electronic warfare, command and control, mission systems and inline cybersecurity. SNC is headquartered in Sparks, Nevada and has 33 locations in 19 U.S. states, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Turkey.
