# Army Prepares HADES Production Award

The U.S. Army says its High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance program remains on cost and schedule, with three Global 6500 prototypes in development and the first delivery expected around January 2027. The Army is prepared to pursue a production contract with Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), but the planned award window around the start of FY2027 may be affected by a continuing resolution or other budget delays. With FY2027 underway, the funding situation remains relevant to the timing of the production award.

- The planned production award to SNC is not yet confirmed; contractors should account for potential schedule changes tied to continuing-resolution and budget availability.
- Prototype deliveries are expected in phases: the first around January 2027, the second roughly six months later, and the third in 2028.
- Companies supporting aircraft integration, ISR systems, or related supply chains can use the prototype schedule and prospective production award as planning context, while recognizing that no contract value or award date was provided.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Topics:** Grants & Funding
**Published:** October 13, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Army (Army)
- U.S. Congress

### Vendors
- Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) (Prospective production awardee; outfitting the HADES prototypes)
- Bombardier (Global 6500 platform supplier)

### Sources
- [Continuing resolution could 'complicate' Army's HADES spy plane production: Official - Breaking Defense](https://breakingdefense.com/2026/10/continuing-resolution-could-complicate-armys-hades-spy-plane-production-official) - Breaking Defense