SPARKS, Nev. (Nov. 22, 2024) – SNC announced the successful first flight of its RAPCON-X aircraft solution this month. The milestone marks a significant step forward for the aerial intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (A-ISR) platform, which has been selected for the U.S. Army’s Theater Level High Altitude Expeditionary Next Airborne ISR (ATHENA) project. The RAPCON-X Bombardier Global 6500 jet took its inaugural flight from Hagerstown, Maryland.
“Today is a monumental day for SNC, the dedicated team at our Hagerstown campus and our valued customers. What started as a dream just three years ago has now become a reality, thanks to the willingness of our owners, Eren and Fatih Ozmen, to invest ahead of the need, and their confidence in our shared vision,” said Tim Owings, executive vice president of SNC’s MST business area. “SNC’s pivot to creating a rapidly configurable jet ISR capability is a ground-breaking development that will revolutionize how our customers plan and execute ISR missions.”
RAPCON-X was designed using model-based systems engineering (MBSE), significantly reducing the time required to integrate new and different systems and capabilities. The aircraft features a functional mission interior that can be easily reconfigured for specific mission requirements without costly aircraft redesign. 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.
“SNC’s RAPCON-X team worked tirelessly to create an open architecture, aerial ISR solution that gives the warfighter the advantage required to win the near-peer fight,” said Josh Walsh, vice president of programs for Mission Solution and Operations. “I am extremely proud of our workforce and the progress we’ve made. This flight is proof of SNC’s readiness to support these critical customer missions and our ability to rapidly configure and deploy mission-specific solutions.”
Rapid configurability means the aircraft is 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, RAPCON-X 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 in the battlefield.
“Our clear commitment to open architecture maximizes both capability and schedules,” said Tim Harper, vice president of business development. “RAPCON-X is a quick reaction capability built to program-of-record standards utilizing modular hardware and software. This allows SNC to deliver the right solution to our customers every time."
The aircraft’s first flight comes ahead of future ATHENA testing for SNC’s contractor-owned-contractor-operated (COCO) contract to deliver ISR services including aircraft, pilot, flight and maintenance operations and logistics support.
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.
For more information, visit www.sncorp.com.
About SNC
SNC is a trusted leader in innovative, advanced technology solutions and open architecture integrations in aerospace and national security. Best known for its unique mission applications, SNC creates customized solutions for the world’s most pressing technology challenges in the fields of aviation, national security space, electronic warfare, command and control, mission systems and inline cybersecurity. SNC is owned by Chairwoman and President Eren Ozmen and CEO Fatih Ozmen, and is once again recognized as a US Best Managed Company by Deloitte Private.
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