The Flight Performance Handling Qualification (FPHQ) testing is crucial as it demonstrates the aircraft’s airworthiness, ensuring consistent performance throughout the flight envelope. The final phase of testing for both RAPCON-X aircraft is expected to conclude this summer, enabling the aircraft to enter COCO ISR service by the fourth quarter of 2025.
“RAPCON-X provides a disruptive asymmetric advantage to combatant commanders today and we are proud to continue development of this significant capability,” said Tim Owings, Executive Vice President of SNC’s MST business area. He added that the completion of the flight performance milestone reflects SNC’s commitment to meeting the capability and timeline requirements for these vital missions.
SNC has a long-standing reputation within the Department of Defense (DoD) for successful COCO operations, including aircraft, pilot, flight, maintenance operations, and logistics support. The RAPCON-X, designed using model-based systems engineering (MBSE), is rapidly configurable for specific reconnaissance missions, allowing for quick adaptation of onboard equipment.
During FPHQ testing, SNC partnered with Bombardier Defense to assess the modified aircraft’s flight handling characteristics. This involved a comprehensive series of maneuvers to validate airworthiness and safety. The tests confirmed the successful integration of Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) technology, which is essential for maintaining smaller vertical separation between aircraft at high altitudes.
Steve Patrick, Vice President of Bombardier Defense, expressed satisfaction with the testing outcome: “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.”
SNC’s RAPCON-X system is equipped with advanced technologies, including the SNC TRAX software, which ensures connectivity with net-enabled battlefield platforms. The aircraft can gather signals intelligence, perform electro-optical reconnaissance, and track ground moving-target signatures. Additionally, SNC’s modular approach allows for the RAPCON-X design to be adapted for use with other aircraft types, such as the Bombardier Challenger 650 and King Air 350ER.
Josh Walsh, SNC’s Vice President of Programs, highlighted the flexibility of the system: “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 mission-specific solutions that will give our soldiers the tactical advantage they need in today’s near-peer environment.”
Tim Harper, SNC’s Vice President of Business Development, also emphasised the strategic importance of the system, stating, “Long-range, deep sensing is foundational to deterring our nation’s competitors and adversaries. 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.”
