SNC's RAPCON-X Jet Successfully Completes Flight Performance Testing

SNC has successfully completed initial flight testing of its RAPCON-X™ Bombardier Global 6500 jet in support of future contractor-owned, contractor-operated (COCO) service customers. Achieving Flight Performance Handling Qualification (FPHQ) is a significant milestone toward proving the aircraft’s airworthiness by validating consistent performance throughout the full flight envelope to ensure safety and reliability. SNC is expected to complete the final phase of flight testing for both of its RAPCON-X aircraft this summer, delivering this critical capability for COCO aerial intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (A-ISR) missions in fourth quarter 2025.

“RAPCON-X provides a disruptive asymmetric advantage to combatant commanders today and we are proud to continue development of this significant capability,” Tim Owings, executive vice president of SNC’s MST business area. “Completing the flight performance handling milestone reinforces SNC’s commitment and readiness to meet capability and timeline requirements promised in support of these vital missions.”

SNC is well known across DOD for its decades of successful COCO operations including aircraft, pilot, flight and maintenance operations, and logistics support. Designed using model-based systems engineering (MBSE), RAPCON-X is a rapidly configurable aircraft solution, meaning it’s swiftly adapted to specific recon missions by quickly switching out on-board equipment to match tactical needs – particularly for higher altitudes and longer endurance. In its baseline configuration, the aircraft can collect and process signals intelligence, electro-optical reconnaissance and ground moving-target signatures. It also includes key technologies such as SNC TRAX® software that connects RAPCON-X with all net-enabled platforms across the battlefield. SNC’s family-of-systems approach also empowers the company to apply its scalable RAPCON-X design to other types of aircraft, including the Bombardier Challenger 650 and King Air 350ER aircraft.

During FPHQ testing for RAPCON-X, SNC collaborated with partner, Bombardier Defense, to test the flight handling characteristics of the modified aircraft – including a full regime of flight maneuvers to validate its airworthiness and safety. The successful flight tests also confirmed that the reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM) capability continues to perform well with the RAPCON-X modifications. RVSM is a technology that allows aircraft to fly with a smaller vertical separation between them at higher altitudes, a critical requirement of A-ISR missions.

“I am extremely proud of the progress our team has made to deliver an aircraft with this level of flexibility and performance,” said Josh Walsh, SNC vice president of programs. “SNC designed RAPCON-X with the customer and its need for both adaptability and rapid deployment in mind. Successfully completing this phase of flight testing proves SNC’s readiness to deliver the kind of mission-specific solutions that will give our soldiers the tactical advantage they need in today’s near-peer environment.”

“The RAPCON-X flight testing program was completed per plan, safely and efficiently - a testament to the ongoing seamless collaboration between Bombardier Defense and SNC. The performance and handling qualities were confirmed to be as predicted,” said Steve Patrick, vice president of Bombardier Defense. “The partnership with SNC to execute its RAPCON-X solution has clearly demonstrated Bombardier Defense's expertise, experience and flexibility in delivering solutions collaboratively with our partners to support our customers’ ISR modernization efforts.”

“Long-range, deep sensing is foundational to deterring our nation's competitors and adversaries,” said Tim Harper, SNC vice president of business development. “RAPCON-X will provide its military operators with the asymmetric advantage required to execute aerial ISR missions with the speed, range, endurance and altitude for the deep sensing U.S. soldiers need to outpace our near-peer adversaries.”

SNC’s RAPCON-X team includes global A&D industry leaders Bombardier, ThinKom Solutions, Inc. and Leonardo USA. This team of experts brings the proven technology and pioneering mindset needed to innovate and upgrade at the speed-of-threat. SNC will continue to execute work on RAPCON-X from its aircraft integration facilities in Hagerstown, Maryland.