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Business Jet Missionization

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Decades of Expertise

Our business jet support includes platform modernization and fielding solutions to meet the ever-increasing complexities of ISR collection. For example, we’ve applied more than 800,000 labor hours designing, building, integrating, testing, and certifying mission systems on the Bombardier Global series.

L3Harris uses an advanced certification process combining requirements from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as well as the Air Force Advanced Policy Directives (AFPD) to quickly qualify Military Commercial Derivative Aircraft (MCDA).

L3Harris has held an FAA Organizational Designation Authority (ODA) since 1982, further streamlining the qualification and certification process. Our unique position as an ODA allows initial design, fabrication, and certification approval of aircraft modifications, engineering changes, and Supplemental Type Certificates for modification of civil registered aircraft or military aircraft maintained to civil standards. As a result, L3Harris has redesigned, tested, and certified seven unique MCDA-based ISR platforms over the last 10 years.

In addition to our ODA certification, L3Harris is an FAA Class 4 Unlimited Repair Station with all associated tooling, fabrication, and repair capability. Our facilities include nearly two-million square feet of climate controlled, government-certified hangar space, a world class paint facility, and more than 72,000 square feet of secure facilities giving L3Harris the capacity to complete all modifications and repairs without requiring additional government furnished space.

Our one-of-a-kind Multi-Sensor Test Facility includes a comprehensive anechoic chambers and live over-the-air testing from 1 MHz to 40 GHz in a 100,000 square mile FAA approved testing area, which enables rapid multi-discipline sensor certifications and calibrations, reducing schedule, cost, and flight hours required for final system calibration and certification.

L3Harris has extensive experience with Models Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) to improve traceability to system level requirements, reduce errors and defects, improves efficiency, reduce cost, and simplify collaboration and reuse. 

Unlike traditional data-driven documentation, these digital models also allow for virtual prototyping of systems and physics-based simulation. When combined with Agile program processes allow for far more customer/operator feedback early in design phases- resulting in accelerated development schedules and reduced cost to fielding.

In addition to our industry-leading digital engineering practices, L3Harris leverages years of experience with Modular Open System Architectures (MOSA). As a non-traditional Prime integrator, we have designed, fielded, and sustained dozens of platforms leveraging best in class avionics, sensors, radios, datalinks and other mission systems regardless of manufacturer, and without vendor lock. We have invested heavily in modern MOSA systems to ensure compatibility with DOD standards such as Open Mission Systems and Future Airborne Capability Environment, but more importantly understand and embrace the intent of MOSA. We have demonstrated capability to rapidly integrate complex systems using readily available commercial-off-the-shelf components and interfaces to reduce schedule and cost, while remaining Agile and non-rigid in our approaches to MOSA designs.

Business Jet Missionization: Platforms

U.S. Army Theater Level High-Altitude Expeditionary Next Airborne ISR Radar (ATHENA-R)

Business Jet Missionization - Athena-R

Customer: U.S. Army
Platform: Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft
Collaboration: MAG Aerospace

U.S. Army Mission
The U.S. Army is moving fast – collaborating with stakeholders and industry partners for rapid development of its future intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. The next phase of this development is the Army’s Theater Level High-Altitude Expeditionary Next Airborne ISR Radar (ATHENA-R) program.

L3Harris Mission
Our ATHENA design is augmented by more than three years of internal research and development, as well as 800,000 hours of building, integrating, testing and certifying ISR capabilities on Bombardier Global series aircraft.

U.S. Army Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare System (ARES)

Business Jet Missionization - ARES

Customer: U.S. Army
Platform: Bombardier Global Series Jet

U.S. Army Mission
ARES showcases the future of Army airborne ISR for its High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) program. ARES, providing intelligence support in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) area of responsibility, demonstrates how existing fleet sensors and technologies perform on a modern platform, with the size, weight and power (SWaP) advantage to add new payloads for future mission requirements.

L3Harris Mission
L3Harris missionized ARES in less than six months. The company operates this special mission aircraft flying in support of U.S. Army missions.

U.S. Air Force EA-37B | Compass Call

Business Jet Missionization - Compass Call

Customer: U.S. Air Force
Platform: Gulfstream G550
Collaboration: BAE Systems

U.S. Air Force Mission
The Compass Call mission system disrupts enemy command and control communications and limits adversary coordination essential for enemy force management. The aircraft employs offensive counter-information and EW capabilities in support of U.S. and coalition tactical air, surface and special operations forces. 

L3Harris Mission
Platform integration prime L3Harris integrated the EC-130H Compass Call mission system into a modern Gulfstream G550 business jet at its Waco, Texas aircraft missionization center. The EA-37B has increased speed, endurance and high-altitude operation for improved survivability and range to deliver electromagnetic attack effects.

Royal Australian Air Force | MC-55A Peregrine

Business Jet Missionization - Peregrine

Customer: Royal Australian Air Force
Platform: Gulfstream G550

U.S. Air Force Mission
The MC-55A Peregrine will be integrated into the Commonwealth’s joint warfighting networks, providing a critical link between platforms, including the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter, E-7A Wedgetail, EA-18G Growler, Navy surface combatants and amphibious assault ships and ground assets to support the warfighter.

L3Harris Mission
We are integrating the aircraft with a mission system that provides the latest electronic warfare capabilities. 

Italian Air Force Joint Airborne Multi-mission, Multi-sensor System (JAMMS)

Business Jet Missionization - JAMMS

Customer: Italian Air Force (ITAF)
Platform: Gulfstream G550

Italian Air Force Mission
JAMMS provides the range, altitude and high performance needed for strategic intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and electronic warfare mission effectiveness.

L3Harris Mission
L3Harris is supporting the Italian Joint Intelligence Center and Italian Air Force through aircraft integration on the JAMMS program. This program is one of several that are an integral component of L3Harris’ expanding array of multi-mission business jet solutions available across various commercial platforms to support critical global security operations.

International Coast Guards Maritime Surveillance

Business Jet Missionization - International Coast Guard

Customer: International Coast Guards
Platform: Dassault Falcon 2000 Maritime Surveillance Aircraft
Collaboration: Dassault Aviation

International Coast Guard Mission
Designed for a broad range of missions including maritime surveillance, piracy control, drug interdiction, fishery patrol, law enforcement, search and rescue, intelligence and reconnaissance.

L3Harris Mission
We have integrated fleets with the latest multi-mission capabilities for international allies.

UK Sentinel R1 Airborne Stand-Off Radar (ASTOR)

Business Jet Missionization - ASTOR

Customer: Royal Air Force (RAF)
Platform: Bombardier Global Express

Royal Air Force Mission
The RAF Sentinel provided a long-range all-weather theater surveillance and target acquisition system capable of detecting moving, fixed and static targets. The aircraft first saw service in Afghanistan as part of coalition forces following the 9/11 attacks. It flew 32,300 hours conducting approximately 4,870 sorties during its service life. 

L3Harris Mission
An early business jet effort was the integration of the ASTOR system onto a Bombardier Global Express to create the Royal Air Force (RAF) Sentinel R1 aircraft. L3Harris’ Greenville, Texas modification center designed, developed, and integrated the ASTOR system onto the aircraft. The facility then received approval from UK’s Defence Procurement Agency in January 2004 to self-certify the Sentinel’s modifications and airborne systems and complete flight testing.

Multi-Sensor Test Facility

Business Jet Missionization - Multi-Sensor Test Facility

Customer: Defense and industry peers

L3Harris Mission
Since 1969, L3Harris has provided customers and industry peers access to unique airborne mission system testing services with its flight test range and Multi-Sensor Test Facility (MSTF).

​The facility, located at the company’s Greenville, Texas aerospace center, is one of the only privately-operated airborne mission system test ranges in the United States. It is staffed by experienced aerospace engineers who provide testing and validation of complex mission systems, including signals, communications and electronic intelligence; radar warning receiver and electronic countermeasures testing; and radar threat simulation from multiple emitters proprietary to L3Harris.

Related Resources

  • Business Jet Missionization Data Sheet

    Business Jet Missionization Data Sheet

  • International Business Jet Missionization Data Sheet

    International Business Jet Missionization Data Sheet

  • Strategic Airborne ISR System Data Sheet

    Strategic Airborne ISR System Data Sheet

  • RC-135 Data Sheet

    RC-135 Data Sheet

  • ARES and HADES Data Sheet

    ARES and HADES Data Sheet

  • US Air Force EC-37B Cross Deck Data Sheet

    US Air Force EC-37B Cross Deck Data Sheet

  • VIP Capabilities Brochure

    VIP Capabilities Brochure

  • Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) Data Sheet

    Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) Data Sheet

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