Inside Germany’s New Signal Intelligence Aircraft PEGASUS and Its Kalætron Integral System

Germany is preparing to significantly enhance its airborne electronic intelligence capabilities with the introduction of the PEGASUS program, short for Persistent German Airborne Surveillance System. Based on the Bombardier Global 6000 business jet, PEGASUS will provide the Luftwaffe with advanced signal intelligence (SIGINT) capabilities starting from 2026, with full operational readiness expected by 2027. This development marks a strategic shift in Germany’s approach to airborne surveillance, replacing earlier failed attempts with unmanned platforms and aligning with global trends favoring business jet-based intelligence aircraft.

Bombardier Global 6000 Hensoldt PEGASUS

Background of Germany’s SIGINT Program

Germany’s journey toward a modern airborne SIGINT capability has been marked by setbacks and strategic reassessments. Initially, Berlin planned to deploy the RQ-4E Euro Hawk, a variant of the Northrop Grumman Global Hawk equipped with Airbus’s Integrated SIGINT System (ISIS). However, the program collapsed in 2013 due to insurmountable certification challenges within European airspace, escalating costs, and persistent delays.

Following the Euro Hawk’s cancellation, Germany explored alternatives, including the MQ-4C Triton operated by the U.S. Navy. Yet, this option was ultimately rejected, as it did not fully meet Germany’s operational and regulatory requirements. The failure of these unmanned solutions prompted German defense planners to seek a more pragmatic approach: a manned aircraft based on a proven business jet platform. This decision led to the birth of PEGASUS, a program designed to deliver reliable, flexible, and certifiable airborne intelligence capabilities.

PEGASUS Aircraft Platform and Design

The PEGASUS system is built on the Bombardier Global 6000, a long-range business jet known for its endurance, high-altitude performance, and spacious cabin suitable for mission equipment. Germany has ordered three aircraft as the initial batch for the Luftwaffe.

The first test flight of a modified PEGASUS took place on October 23, 2024, at Bombardier’s facility in Wichita, Kansas. The aircraft features several distinctive modifications to accommodate its SIGINT mission profile. These include oval-shaped fairings mounted on the fuselage sides, a large ventral fairing with dual protrusions beneath the fuselage, and additional antennas located on the tail and under the wings. Together, these modifications house the advanced sensor suite required for electronic intelligence collection.

The integration of mission systems is being carried out by Lufthansa Technik Defense in Hamburg, ensuring that the aircraft meets both military requirements and civil aviation certification standards.

Kalætron Integral: The Core SIGINT System

At the heart of PEGASUS lies the Kalætron Integral system developed by Hensoldt, a German defense electronics company. This advanced suite is designed to intercept, analyze, and classify electromagnetic emissions across a wide frequency spectrum, ranging from below 30 MHz to 40 GHz.

The system enables PEGASUS to perform both ELINT (Electronic Intelligence) and COMINT (Communications Intelligence) missions. By detecting radar signals and communication transmissions, the aircraft can build a comprehensive “electromagnetic order of battle,” providing commanders with critical situational awareness.

Thanks to the Global 6000’s high-altitude flight profile, PEGASUS can detect signals at ranges of up to 250 miles. Furthermore, the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms allows the system to filter, prioritize, and accelerate the analysis of intercepted signals. This ensures that valuable intelligence is delivered rapidly and accurately, even in complex electromagnetic environments.

Operational Timeline and Future Prospects

Germany plans to receive its three PEGASUS aircraft between 2026 and 2028, with full operational capability expected by 2027. The program is seen as a cornerstone of the Luftwaffe’s modernization efforts, complementing other intelligence and surveillance assets.

Given the growing demand for SIGINT in today’s volatile geopolitical climate, there is speculation that Germany may expand the fleet beyond the initial three aircraft. Such an expansion would further strengthen the country’s ability to monitor adversary activities, support NATO operations, and contribute to collective defense in Europe.

International Context of Business Jet-Based ISTAR Platforms

Germany’s decision to adopt a business jet platform for SIGINT reflects a broader global trend in intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions. Business jets such as the Bombardier Global 6000 and Global 6500 are increasingly favored due to their efficiency, endurance, and adaptability.

Several nations have already embraced similar solutions. South Korea selected the Global 6500 for its airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) program. Sweden and the United Arab Emirates have ordered the GlobalEye AEW&C system, which combines radar and surveillance capabilities on the Global 6000 platform. The United States employs the Global 6000 as the E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) and is developing the Global 6500 for the HADES program, focused on high-altitude detection and surveillance.

Germany’s PEGASUS thus places the Luftwaffe within a growing community of air forces leveraging business jets for advanced intelligence missions, underscoring the versatility of these platforms in modern warfare.

Challenges Facing PEGASUS Deployment

Despite its advanced capabilities, PEGASUS faces certain operational challenges. Business jet-based aircraft are inherently less survivable in contested airspace compared to larger, more heavily protected platforms or unmanned systems. Operating in environments with dense air defense networks could expose PEGASUS to significant risks.

Additionally, SIGINT systems remain dependent on line-of-sight detection. This means that PEGASUS must approach relatively close to areas of interest to collect effective intelligence, potentially placing the aircraft within range of hostile defenses. These limitations highlight the importance of integrating PEGASUS into a broader intelligence architecture, where it can operate alongside other assets such as satellites, unmanned aerial vehicles, and maritime patrol aircraft.

Germany’s Broader Intelligence and Surveillance Strategy

PEGASUS is not Germany’s only investment in airborne intelligence. The Luftwaffe is also acquiring eight Boeing P-8A Poseidon aircraft, primarily for maritime patrol missions but also capable of collecting electronic intelligence. Together, PEGASUS and the Poseidon fleet will provide Germany with a robust and diversified surveillance capability, covering both land and maritime domains.

This dual investment reflects Germany’s recognition of the growing importance of electronic intelligence in modern conflicts. As adversaries increasingly rely on sophisticated radar and communication systems, the ability to detect, analyze, and counter these signals becomes a decisive factor in achieving operational superiority.

PEGASUS as a Strategic Asset for the Luftwaffe

The PEGASUS program represents a strategic leap forward for Germany’s airborne intelligence capabilities. By adopting the Bombardier Global 6000 platform and integrating the Kalætron Integral system, Germany has chosen a pragmatic and effective solution to replace its failed Euro Hawk program.

While questions remain about survivability in high-threat environments, PEGASUS will undoubtedly serve as a critical asset for the Luftwaffe. Its ability to rapidly build an electromagnetic order of battle, combined with AI-driven analysis, ensures that German forces will have access to timely and accurate intelligence.

In an era of heightened geopolitical tensions, PEGASUS positions Germany as a capable contributor to NATO’s collective defense and underscores the growing role of business jet-based platforms in the future of airborne surveillance.

PEGASUS Aircraft Specifications and Performance

The PEGASUS signal intelligence aircraft is operated by a crew consisting of two pilots and a specialized SIGINT team. The jet itself measures 30.30 meters in length, with a wingspan of 28.70 meters and a height of 7.80 meters. Its maximum takeoff weight reaches 45,246 kilograms, supported by a fuel capacity of 20.43 tons. These dimensions and weight allow the aircraft to sustain long-duration missions while carrying advanced electronic equipment.

The cabin is designed to accommodate mission operators comfortably, with a height of 1.88 meters, a width of 2.41 meters, and a length of 14.80 meters. This internal space provides sufficient room for consoles, workstations, and communication systems, ensuring that the SIGINT crew can operate effectively during extended flights.

PEGASUS is powered by two BR700-710A2-20 turbofan engines, each delivering 65.6 kN of thrust. This propulsion system enables the aircraft to reach a maximum speed of 946 km/h and maintain a cruise speed of 904 km/h at altitudes of 41,000 feet. With a range of 6,000 kilometers and a service ceiling of 16,000 meters, the aircraft is capable of covering vast operational areas across Europe and beyond.

The avionics suite is based on Bombardier Vision technology, which includes four large cockpit displays, a head-up display, enhanced and synthetic vision systems, graphic flight planning, and multiscan weather radar. These features enhance flight safety and situational awareness for the pilots. Complementing this, the Hensoldt Kalætron Integral system provides advanced radar and radio signal collection, enabling PEGASUS to intercept and analyze electromagnetic emissions with precision.

Together, these specifications underline PEGASUS as a highly capable platform, combining the proven performance of the Global 6000 airframe with cutting-edge electronic intelligence systems. This integration ensures that the Luftwaffe will possess a modern and reliable tool for strategic surveillance missions in the coming decade.