Bombardier delivered seventh Global BACN to USAF

Recently, Bombardier Defense delivered the seventh Global 6500 Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) aircraft as "BACON07" to the USAF. On 16 September 2023, Scramble Magazine first wrote about the fifth and first new BACN example that was delivered to the USAF.

Although Bombardier had already delivered six Global aircraft to the BACN programme under previous agreements, with the arrival of E-11A, serial number 22-9047 (ex N9047, c/n 60087), two BACNs are now operated by USAF's 18th Airborne Command and Control Squadron (the other being 22-9046).

During February 2023, the 18th ACCS was activated during a ceremony at Robins AFB (GA). The USAF has the option to purchase an additional BACN aircraft each year through 2026 under the 2021 contract.

The BACN aircraft is a specialised communications platform, known in the USAF as the E-11A, that is part of a previously announced multi-year contract representing a potential total value of close to USD465 million.

Bombardier's BACN programme, which is situated at the company’s Hartford Service Centre in Connecticut, brings the Global aircraft to serve US troops as high-altitude communications gateways, relaying or bridging voice and data between air and surface forces. This, surmounting traditional obstacles such as mountains, rough terrain or distance. Dubbed “Wi-Fi in the sky” by USAF pilots and operators, the E-11A acts as a universal gateway that can be utilised around the world.

Credit photo: Bombardier Defense