Global 6500 Aircraft With Riffing by General Dynamics Offered as Submarine Hunter

Bombardier published an interesting-looking antisubmarine version of its Global 6500 jet in a combined offer with General Dynamics’ Canadian arm.

The aircraft is proposed for the Canadian Multi-Mission System, or CMMA, program. The end goal is a capable aircraft that can fill a number of roles beyond the apparent anti-sub duties. The CMMA is to provide command, control, communications, ISR, anti-submarine, and anti-ship capabilities in one aircraft. While it may seem a relatively tall order, Bombardier feels that its domestically produced Global 6500 is a good pick. The plane offers the long range, the endurance, and the efficiency required to complete naval missions of any stripe. That endurance is important, since the CMMA aircraft will spend much of its life loitering over the sea for hours, if not days at a time. The mockup features a matte gray Bombardier jet with 4 underslung missiles attached to hardpoints under its wings, with a distended belly holding what could be an assortment of sensors.

General Dynamics wasn’t too quick to publicly announce exactly which sensors and weapons would be attached to the Global 6500, understandable given the level of secrecy attached to the cat & mouse game of submarine warfare. With 4 apparent hardpoints, the jet can bring a pretty hefty wallop to the field, whether loading air-dropped torpedoes or anti-ship missiles. General Dynamics said it would be providing its best kit, to the point that it calls their CMMA a “future proof foundation” that will “ensure continued operational relevance…through the middle of this century.” 

“Canadians deserve a leading-edge fleet for their Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft program. Bombardier is eager to take on this opportunity to deliver a state-of-the-art platform. This is a generational opportunity for a Canadian company to leverage its Made-In-Canada Global 6500 aircraft, renowned for their outstanding performance and customized mission enhancers for each client. Having Bombardier work on CMMA is the right choice from an aircraft performance standpoint, and also, an opportunity for Canada to foster innovation, bolster its capabilities and support talent across Canada’s aerospace industry from coast to coast to coast,” said Jean-Christophe Gallagher, Executive Vice-President, Aircraft Sales and Bombardier Defense. 

FMI: www.bombardier.com