The US Army is moving closer to finalizing its selection of a prime integrator for the High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES), a new manned, fixed-wing spy plane initiative that is set to revolutionize intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations. This development comes as the Air Force prepares to retire its iconic U-2 Dragon Lady spy planes by 2026.

Service officials have announced the decision to select Bombardier’s Global 6500 jet as the aircraft of choice for HADES, signaling a significant step towards enhancing ISR capabilities. The Army awarded Bombardier with a $66.4 million contract for the first plane and is in the process of evaluating proposals from companies interested in integrating a suite of government-furnished sensors into the aircraft.

The winner of the contract is expected to be announced later this year, with some industry officials predicting an announcement as soon as this summer.

HADES is designed to complement high-end stealthy fighters and unmanned systems by providing support “in conflicted areas where you might let high-end stealthy fighters or unmanned systems take first contact,” according to Andrew Evans, director of the ISR Task Force. HADES will “do fall back support until we reestablish air superiority or supremacy,” Evans added, outlining the strategic role of the spy plane in modern warfare.

The service plans to have the first modified Global 6500 jet in the air by late 2026 and aims to have all 14 HADES units ready by 2035. This ambitious project will eventually lead to the retirement of 70 RC-12 Guardrails and Enhanced Medium Altitude Reconnaissance and Surveillance Systems (EMARSS), as well as phase out existing “bridging” aerial ISR assets.

Concurrently, the Air Force is forging ahead with its plan to retire the U-2 spy planes, marking the end of an era for the Cold War-era reconnaissance aircraft known for their high-altitude capabilities. These planes have been a staple in the US military’s intelligence-gathering toolkit, playing critical roles in historical events such as the Cuban Missile Crisis.

The U-2 fleet’s forthcoming retirement is part of the Air Force’s broader strategy to reshape how it surveils adversaries, with plans to shift toward space-based sensors for high-altitude imagery. The Air Force’s budget documents suggest that it intends to maintain the U-2 fleet’s viability through September 2025, anticipating Congress will allow its divestment to proceed.

These developments underscore a period of transition and modernization for the US military’s surveillance operations. As the Army and Air Force adapt to new technologies and methodologies, the focus shifts from the storied past of the U-2 to the future potential of HADES. The integration of advanced sensors and digital capabilities into the Global 6500 jets promises to usher in a new chapter for ISR activities, ensuring that the US military remains at the forefront of gathering and exploiting intelligence in an ever-evolving geopolitical landscape.

Relevant articles:
– plane integrator, user assessment around late, Breaking Defense
– Air Force prepares to retire U-2 spy planes in 2026, Air Force Times