Restarting the HADES Program
The U.S. Army has officially recommenced work on its new spy plane after the Government Accountability Office (GAO) dismissed L3Harris’s contract protest late last month, as confirmed by an Army spokesperson. The stop work order was lifted on a recent Monday, allowing the Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) to resume its integration efforts on the High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) program.
Details of the Announcement
According to the spokesperson, the memo directed to SNC confirmed that all related activities—including administrative actions, procurement, physical work, submissions, and subcontracts—are now fully operational again. If the HADES program maintains its current trajectory, the Army anticipates having the first aircraft ready by late 2026 or early 2027, potentially acquiring more than a dozen aircraft, depending on budget and threat assessments.
Procurement Background
In August 2024, the Army selected SNC to modify Bombardier’s Global 6500 business jets into an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platform under the HADES initiative. Competing bids were also submitted by an industry consortium that included L3Harris, Leidos, and MAG Aerospace, aimed at replacing the outdated fleet of RC-12 Guardrail turboprop aircraft.
GAO’s Involvement
In October, L3Harris filed a protest with the GAO, leading the Army to pause work on the HADES project until a ruling was made. The GAO delivered its verdict on December 23, providing a redacted 21-page report that both partially denied and dismissed the protest.
In its report, the GAO provided insights into how the Army evaluated the proposals from both companies. L3Harris’s bid was projected to cost $133 million, while SNC’s was estimated at $93 million, highlighting a significant cost advantage. In terms of technical evaluation, the Army deemed L3Harris’s proposal as “unacceptable” while rating SNC’s as “outstanding,” particularly in the design and integration subcategories.
Disputes and Responses
The GAO noted that L3Harris challenged numerous aspects of the agency’s evaluative and selection processes, particularly concerning technical factors, cost evaluations, and the eligibility of the awardee. The GAO concluded that the technical deficiencies in L3Harris’s proposal rendered it ineligible for the award.
L3Harris has refrained from making further comments beyond previous statements, and last month the company indicated it was assessing its options moving forward. In contrast, SNC welcomed the GAO’s decision, asserting that it reinforces the high standards met by their team in addressing the Army’s requirements for this vital program.
Conclusion
The resurgence of the HADES program marks a significant development for the U.S. Army as it continues to enhance its surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, aligning with its modernization goals amid evolving global security dynamics.