Hanneke Weitering is a writer and editor with AIN covering advanced air mobility and new flight technologies. She became an aviation journalist and joined the AIN team in the summer of 2022 after reporting on spaceflight and astronomy for six years at Space.com. After earning a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, she moved to New York City to pursue a master’s degree in science, health, and environmental reporting at New York University&#039;s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. She is now based in Seattle near Boeing Field and spends her free time exploring nature in the Pacific Northwest.

Science & Technology Editor

Bombardier manufactures a variety of business aircraft models, provides engineering, and aircraft maintenance services.

Bombardier Global Express, XRS, 5000, 5500, 6000, and 6500

Hanneke Weitering

Sierra Nevada Corp. (SNC) has completed the first test flight of its Rapcon-X aerial intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platform earlier this month in Hagerstown, Maryland. &nbsp;The Rapcon-X ISR jet is based on a Bombardier Global 6500 that SNC is heavily modifying for the U.S. Army’s Theater-level High-altitude Expeditionary Next Airborne ISR (Athena) program.
<a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2022-11-04/bombardier-delivers-special-mission-global-6500-snc">Bombardier delivered</a> the two ultra-long-range business jets to SNC’s Hagerstown integration facility in late 2022.&nbsp;Through Rapcon-X (short for “rapidly configurable to any mission”), SNC aims to reduce the time it takes to add, upgrade, or swap out systems in ISR aircraft. The open-architecture design allows operators to swiftly reconfigure the interior for various <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2024-07-23/business-jets-find-favor-multiple-special-missions-roles">special mission requirements</a> without costly redesign work.&nbsp;
“Our clear commitment to open architecture maximizes both capability and schedules,” said Tim Harper, vice president of business development at SNC. “Rapcon-X is a quick-reaction capability built to program-of-record standards utilizing modular hardware and software.”
SNC intends to scale Rapcon-X to other aircraft, including the Bombardier Challenger 650 and King Air 350ER. The <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2024-06-28/finland-chooses-challenger-sweden-orders-3rd-globaleye">Finnish Border Guard</a> will use the Rapcon-X system in a pair of modified Bombardier Challenger 650s it purchased from SNC to replace two aging Dornier Do-228 turboprops.
In August, the U.S. Army selected SNC <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2024-08-23/snc-lead-isr-system-integration-army-global-6500s">to lead ISR systems integration</a> for the High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System program, which aims to modernize its fleet of aging ISR turboprops.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Sierra Nevada’s Rapcon-X Surveillance Jet Makes First Flight

Rapcon-X is a heavily modified Bombardier Global 6500 business jet

Sierra Nevada Corp. recently completed the first test flight of its Rapcon-X aerial intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft.

Sierra Nevada’s Rapcon-X ISR Jet Makes First Flight

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News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

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News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

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Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

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News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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