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| Foto:SIGINT |
VISTORBELITUNG.COM,Hamburg, Germany – New imagery has emerged from Hamburg Finkenwerder Airport (XFW), capturing Germany’s highly secretive new airborne signals intelligence (SIGINT) platform in a striking new guise. The aircraft, a modified Bombardier Global 6500 business jet, is the first of the "PEGASUS" (Persistent German Airborne SIGINT System) programme, and its presence is tied to a critical phase of its development.
Photographs show the aircraft, now sporting a sleek, operational grey livery, having shed the standard white paint scheme common to its civilian counterparts. Aviation observers and defence analysts confirm this is the platform destined to become one of the Bundeswehr's most sophisticated intelligence-gathering assets.
Industry sources indicate the aircraft is at Hamburg for the integration of its core mission system: the Hensoldt "Kalætron Integral" SIGINT sensor suite. This advanced system is designed to detect, locate, and analyse a vast array of electronic emissions from radar signals to communications across a wide frequency spectrum. Its "integral" designation suggests a highly fused, multi-function capability, allowing a single aircraft to perform roles traditionally requiring multiple specialised platforms.
The integration phase at Hamburg, a major hub for Germany’s aerospace and defence industry, is a pivotal step. It involves meticulously installing the sensitive sensor arrays likely within the fuselage and external fairings and linking them to the aircraft's powerful onboard mission computers and operator workstations.
The PEGASUS programme, managed by the German defence procurement agency (BAAINBw), aims to replace the ageing fleet of former German Navy-operated Bombardier Global 5000s (known as the "Öcean" project) and complement the larger NATO AWACS fleet. At least three Global 6500 aircraft are believed to be on order, forming a future fleet that will provide the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) with a persistent, long-range, and stealthy SIGINT capability.
The Global 6500 is an ideal platform for this mission It offers:
· Extended Range & Endurance: Capable of missions exceeding 12 hours, allowing it to patrol vast areas from stand-off distances.
· High-Altitude Performance: Can operate above 50,000 feet, broadening its sensor horizon.
· Large Cabin Space: Provides ample room for mission consoles and analysts, ensuring crew effectiveness on long-duration sorties.
· Modern Performance: Features advanced aerodynamics and engines for improved efficiency over its predecessors.
The arrival of the PEGASUS fleet marks a significant leap forward for Germany's independent strategic reconnaissance capability. In an era of renewed geopolitical tension and rapidly advancing electronic warfare threats, these aircraft will be vital for:
· Situational Awareness: Building a real-time electronic order of battle in a crisis zone.
· Support for Military Operations: Providing targeting data and threat warnings for ground, naval, and air forces.
· Support for NATO & EU Missions: Contributing high-value intelligence to alliance operations.
The sighting of this first aircraft in its operational livery, deep in its sensor integration phase, signals that the PEGASUS programme is advancing steadily toward operational service. Once certified, the grey jets will become a quiet but formidable pillar of Germany's defence and intelligence architecture, watching and listening from the skies.