Engineering:Hensoldt Pegasus

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Short description: German reconnaissance platform


PEGASUS
EA-37B Compass Call aircraft parked
General information
RoleSIGINT and reconnaissance
National originGermany
Canada
United States
ManufacturerGeneral contractor:
  • Hensoldt

Sub-contractors / systems supplies:

ServiceGerman Air Force
Number built3 (being manufactured)
History
ManufacturedSince 2022
Introduction datePlanned for 2027[1]
InitiatedJune 2021.
Developed fromGlobal 6000

The PEGASUS (an abbreviation of "persistent German airborne surveillance system") is a project to provide the Bundeswehr with airborne long-range signal-centric surveillance and reconnaissance capability with three systems (mission system for signal detection and carrier platform). Hensoldt is the German defence technology firm serving as the project's general contractor; other companies involved include Bombardier Defense and Lufthansa Technik Defense

In the aftermath of the cancellation of the EuroHawk unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in 2013, which had been the intended platform for the German Air Force's SIGINT capability, it was decided to order a manned platform instead. In early 2020, the PEGASUS programme was launched, based on the Bombardier Global 6000 business jet. The programme was originally to include three aircraft accompanies by the associated mission, evaluation, reference, and training systems. The PEGASUS is intended to detect and record military radio traffic and radar emissions in order to create situation reports and obtain data for defence systems. The platform is intended to contribute to early crisis detection, situation assessment, and the determination of threats within assigned operational areas of interest.

In November 2025, it was announced that at least six aircraft would be ordered for the PEGASUS programme.[1] It has also been reported that the Royal Air Force (RAF) is interested in the type.[2]

Development

Background

The origins of the Pegasus can be traced back to the decommissioning of the German Navy's Breguet 1150 M Atlantic in 2010, which left a long-lasting capability gap in the Bundeswehr in the area of signal-detecting airborne long-range surveillance and reconnaissance capability.[3][4] During the late 2000s and early 2010s, work was undertaken on developing the RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) into a specialised variant, known as EuroHawk, that was originally intended as the delivery system for this capability.[5] However, the EuroHawk was reportedly not capable of being certifiable under ICAO rules without an anti-collision system; thus preventing any operations within European airspace or the airspace of any ICAO member;[6][7] accordingly, on 15 May 2013, the German government announced the immediate termination of the Eurohawk program.[8][9]

While some considerations were made to the potential reactivation of the EuroHawk program in the aftermath of unsuccessful attempts to test the reconnaissance systems developed for it on alternative platforms, including Airbus aircraft and an Israeli drone,[10][11] in early 2020, it was announced that the new electronic surveillance delivery system would consist of a crewed aircraft based on the Bombardier Global 6000 business jet. At the time of this announcement, it was stated that the procurement choice had been driven by the high cost of the UAVs ($2.5 billion) as well as the risk not meeting the operational deadline of 2025 due to European safety standards for uncrewed aircraft's access to the civilian airspace.[12][13]

As per its original order, the PEGASUS programme was set to include three aircraft with accompanying mission systems, alongside an evaluation, reference, and training system, and had a projected financial cost of around €1.54 billion.[14]

Mock-up of the Pegasus

Structure and function

The general contractor for the platform is Hensoldt, while Lufthansa Technik is responsible for the aircraft themselves as well as integration activities. A total of almost 30 companies from Germany are involved in the project.[15]

In June 2021, the associated bill for the programme was submitted to the Defense Committee of the German Bundestag; approval authorised the programme to proceed into the implementation phase. During November 2023, following a series of hardware and software demonstrations, PEGASUS passed its critical design review.[16] Since 2023, financing has come from the Bundeswehr special fund. The basic qualification for the SLWÜA should be achieved in 2027. The first flight of PEGASUS finally took place at the Bombardier site in Wichita in the second half of September 2024. PEGASUS is to be stationed at Tactical Air Force Squadron 51 "Immelmann" at Schleswig Air Base.[17]

Operationally, Pegasus will provide early warning of force movements and electronic activity; enabling the precise targeting of enemy radar and air-defence systems, and being a key element for supplying targeting information for other new Bundeswehr platforms, such as the Eurofighter Typhoon.[1] In addition to Pegasus as an airborne project, the Fleet Service Boat Class 424 project serves to maintain capabilities in the area of signal-detecting sea-based long-range surveillance and reconnaissance.[18][19]

Specifications

Data from Airport Technology[20][21]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2 pilots + SIGINT crew
  • Length: 30.30 m (99 ft 5 in)
  • Wingspan: 28.70 m (94 ft 2 in)
  • Height: 7.80 m (25 ft 7 in)
  • Max takeoff weight: 45,246 kg (99,750 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 20.43 t (45,000 lb)
  • Cabin height: 1.88 m (6.2 ft)
  • Cabin width: 2.41 m (7.9 ft)
  • Cabin length: 14.80 m (48.6 ft)
  • Powerplant: 2 × BR700-710A2-20 turbofan, 65.6 kN (14,700 lbf) thrust each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 946 km/h (588 mph, 511 kn) (0.89 Mach at a cruise altitude of 41,000 ft (12,000 m))
  • Cruise speed: 904 km/h (562 mph, 488 kn) (0.85 Mach at a cruise altitude of 41,000 ft (12,000 m))
  • Range: 6,000 km (3,700 mi, 3,200 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 16,000 m (51,000 ft)

Avionics

  • Flight avionic: Bombardier Vision (four large displays, a head-up display, an enhanced vision system and synthetic vision system, graphic flight planning and multiscan weather radar)
  • Radar and radio electronic signal collection and analysis: Hensoldt Kalætron Integral (30MHz to 40GHz)[22]

Orders

Future operators

 Germany (3)
On the 29 June 2021, the BAAINBw signed the contract to purchase 3 PEGASUS aircraft, and it includes an evaluation system, a reference system and a training system. The aircraft are planned to be delivered from 2026 to 2028.[23][24][25]

Potential purchases

 Germany
Hensoldt hinted in October 2024 that there would be additional aircraft purchased by the German Air Force as three aircraft seem insufficient for the needs.[26]
The additional needs seem confirmed as of November 2025, and the quantity expected ranges from three to six additional aircraft.[27]
 United Kingdom
The Royal Air Force is interested in purchasing the Pegasus.[2][28]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Germany to expand Pegasus SIGINT fleet with new order". 2 November 2025. https://defensearchives.com/news/germany-to-expand-pegasus-sigint-fleet-with-new-order/. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cityforum (14 November 2025). "RAF Looks To German Pegasus Spy Planes" (in en-GB). https://www.defenceeye.co.uk/2025/11/14/raf-looks-to-german-pegasus-spy-planes/. 
  3. ↑ "Bundeswehr nimmt PEGASUS unter Vertrag" (in de). 30 June 2021. https://www.presseportal.de/pm/147341/4955960. 
  4. ↑ "RQ-4 Euro Hawk UAV Readying for Takeoff" (in en). Defense Industry Daily. 15 May 2013. http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/euro-hawk-program-cleared-for-takeoff-03051/. 
  5. ↑ "Northrop Grumman and EADS Defence & Security's Euro Hawk Unmanned Aircraft Completes Successful First Flight" (in en). GlobeNewswire. 30 June 2010. http://www.irconnect.com/noc/press/pages/news_releases.html?d=195403. 
  6. ↑ Seliger, Marco (13 May 2013). "Euro Hawk wird nicht zugelassen" (in de). Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/eine-milliarde-euro-versenkt-euro-hawk-wird-nicht-zugelassen-12181768.html. 
  7. ↑ "German government culls costly Euro Hawk drone project" (in en). Deutsche Welle. 15 May 2013. http://www.dw.de/german-government-culls-costly-euro-hawk-drone-project/a-16812690. 
  8. ↑ "Germany axes Euro Hawk drone program" (in en). 14 May 2013. http://www.defensenews.com/article/20130514/DEFREG01/305140015/Germany-axes-Euro-Hawk-drone-program. 
  9. ↑ "De Maiziere defends Bundeswehr reforms and Euro Hawk halt" (in en). Deutsche Welle. 15 May 2013. http://www.dw.de/de-maiziere-defends-bundeswehr-reforms-and-euro-hawk-halt/a-16817283. 
  10. ↑ "Germany's Euro Hawk drone may take flight again" (in en). 5 October 2014. http://www.airrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1205. 
  11. ↑ "Germany May Revive Euro Hawk Using MQ-4C" (in en). Aviation Week & Space Technology. 12 January 2015. http://aviationweek.com/defense/germany-may-revive-euro-hawk-using-mq-4c. 
  12. ↑ Sprenger, Sebastian (28 January 2020). "Germany walks away from $2.5 billion purchase of US Navy's Triton spy drones" (in en). https://www.defensenews.com/breaking-news/2020/01/28/germany-walks-away-from-25-billion-purchase-of-us-navys-triton-spy-drones/. 
  13. ↑ "DroneWatch: Bundeswehr stoppt Beschaffung von Aufklärungsdrohnen – und kauft bemannte Flugzeuge – Augen geradeaus!" (in de). January 2020. https://augengeradeaus.net/2020/01/dronewatch-bundeswehr-stoppt-beschaffung-von-aufklaerungsdrohnen-und-kauft-bemannte-flugzeuge/. 
  14. ↑ "Investitionen in die Luftwaffe der Zukunft" (in de). https://www.bmvg.de/de/aktuelles/investitionen-in-die-luftwaffe-der-zukunft-5099108. 
  15. ↑ "HENSOLDT gewinnt Milliardenauftrag für "PEGASUS"-Aufklärungssystem" (in de). https://www.hensoldt.net/de/news/hensoldt-wins-billion-dollar-contract-for-pegasus-reconnaissance-system/. 
  16. ↑ Jennings, Gareth (16 November 2023). "Germany's PEGASUS passes critical design review" (in en). https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-news/c4isr/germanys-pegasus-passes-critical-design-review. 
  17. ↑ Windmann, Sven (30 January 2024). "Wie sich das Jageler Luftwaffengeschwader bis 2030 verändern wird" (in de). https://www.shz.de/lokales/schleswig/artikel/wie-sich-das-jageler-luftwaffengeschwader-bis-2030-veraendern-wird-46128876. 
  18. ↑ "Umfangreiche Beschaffungen für die Deutsche Marine" (in de). https://www.bmvg.de/de/aktuelles/umfangreiche-beschaffungen-fuer-die-deutsche-marine-5099106. 
  19. ↑ "Bundeswehr erhält neue Flottendienstboote" (in de). 24 June 2021. https://www.presseportal.de/pm/147341/4951535. 
  20. ↑ "Pegasus Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Aircraft, Germany". 13 June 2024. https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/pegasus-signals-intelligence-sigint-aircraft-germany/?cf-view. 
  21. ↑ "Bombardier Global 6000 Luxury Business Jet". 11 Dec 2012. https://www.airport-technology.com/projects/bombardier-global-6000-business-jet-canada/?cf-view. 
  22. ↑ "HENSOLDT Kalætron Integral". https://dam.hensoldt.net/m/a38dd12beb7663c/original/Kalaetron-Integral-English.pdf. 
  23. ↑ KS (29 November 2022). "SIGINT-Programm Pegasus: Bombardier arbeitet an Aufklärer für Luftwaffe" (in de). https://www.flugrevue.de/militaer/programm-pegasus-fuer-sigint-bombardier-arbeitet-an-aufklaerer-fuer-luftwaffe/. 
  24. ↑ "Germany to regain SIGINT capability with new Pegasus fleet" (in en-US). 30 June 2021. https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/germany-to-regain-sigint-capability-with-new-pegasus-fleet/144391.article. 
  25. ↑ "German Air Force SIGINT capacity" (in en-US). 2022-11-27. https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/german-air-force-sigint-capacity. 
  26. ↑ Martin, Tim (24 October 2024). "Industry partners announce PEGASUS first flight, tout additional buy" (in en-US). https://breakingdefense.com/2024/10/industry-partners-announce-pegasus-first-flight-tout-additional-buy/. 
  27. ↑ DefenseArchives (2 November 2025). "Germany to expand Pegasus SIGINT fleet with new order" (in en-US). https://defensearchives.com/news/germany-to-expand-pegasus-sigint-fleet-with-new-order/. 
  28. ↑ Allison, George (14 November 2025). "UK reportedly considers Pegasus SIGINT aircraft purchase" (in en-GB). https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-reportedly-considers-pegasus-sigint-aircraft-purchase/. 



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