Bombardier Defense has handed over the ninth Global 6000 business jet to the US Air Force as part of the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) program. The delivery ceremony was held at Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford, Massachusetts, where the BACN program office is based.
Designated as the E-11A, the aircraft will operate as a high-altitude communications relay, bridging secure voice and data links between air and ground units. This capability is particularly vital for missions conducted across mountainous terrain, remote areas, or over long distances where connectivity is otherwise limited. By enhancing situational awareness and command coordination, the platform plays a key role in maintaining mission effectiveness.
The BACN initiative traces its origins to lessons learned during combat operations in Afghanistan, where reliable communications proved critical. Initial testing was carried out on NASA’s WB-57 Canberra aircraft before the technology was transitioned to Bombardier’s Global series jets. Since its launch, the “Wi-Fi in the sky” fleet has flown more than 15,500 sorties, sustaining an impressive mission readiness rate of over 98 percent.
This latest E-11A forms part of a broader agreement approved in 2021 worth up to $465 million, covering annual deliveries through 2025. The first aircraft under this contract was delivered in September 2022, followed by another in November 2024. The Global 6000-based BACN jet is powered by two Rolls-Royce BR710A2-20 turbofan engines, achieving speeds of 504 knots and operational ceilings of 51,000 feet. Measuring 100 feet in length with a 94-foot wingspan, the aircraft accommodates up to 17 personnel or payloads of nearly 5,800 pounds.
