Luftwaffe PEGASUS arrives in Germany for mission systems integration

The first of three currently contracted PEGASUS aircraft arrived in Germany for mission systems integration ahead of entry into Luftwaffe service in the coming months. (Lufthansa Technik Defense)

The first of three currently contracted Hensoldt Persistent German Airborne Surveillance System (PEGASUS) signals intelligence (SIGINT) aircraft for the Luftwaffe has arrived in Germany for mission systems integration.

The prime contractor said on 11 December that Lufthansa Technik Defense and Bombardier Defense had delivered the missionised Global 6000 business jet, ferrying the aircraft from Bombardier's facility in Wichita, Kansas, to Lufthansa Technik's headquarters in Hamburg, Germany, the previous week.

“This delivery marks a decisive step towards operational capability,” said Jürgen Halder, vice-president of Airborne SIGINT at Hensoldt. “With the arrival of the first aircraft in Hamburg, we are entering the crucial phase of system integration and qualification. Together with our partners, we are now moving from design and test into full implementation.”

The milestone came 14 months after this first airframe made its maiden flight out of the airframer's Bombardier Flight Test Centre (BFTC) facility in Wichita on 23 October 2024, having been provisioned for but not yet equipped with its PEGASUS mission systems.

As noted in the announcement, Lufthansa Technik will now integrate the SIGINT mission system based on Hensoldt's Kalaetron Integral, install the mission cabin, and fit additional military and communication systems. Moreover, the company will handle both civil and military certification of the aircraft.

In parallel, preparations for Luftwaffe entry into service support are under way, including training of technical and flight personnel and the creation and provision of technical documentation. Once this certification has been completed, the aircraft will be handed over to the Bundeswehr for further flight-testing and entry into service.