A team at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts awarded a $464.8 million contract to Learjet, Inc., this week in support of the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node program, the Air Force said.

The contract funds for up to six Bombardier Global 6000 aircraft with a five-year delivery period, according to the Air Force's announcement.

"These aircraft are required for continuous operations outside the contiguous United States in multiple theaters of operation," Elizabeth Rosa, BACN procurement lead, Aerial Networks Division, said in the release. "This acquisition will support the mission by expanding the current fleet to provide a service retained capability to rapidly respond to the operational needs of combatant commanders worldwide."

According to the Air Force, seven aircraft currently carry the BACN payload on two different platforms: three manned E-11As and four unmanned Global Hawk E-Q4Bs.

Once a Global 6000 has been outfitted with BACN technology, which enables real-time information flow across the battlespace through relay and data translation, it is classified as an E-11A.

Because of its flexible deployment options and ability to operate at high altitudes, BACN allows air and surface forces to overcome communication problems caused by mountains or challenging terrain -- and provides critical information to all operational echelons.

The BACN program office is part Aerial Networks Division of the Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence and Networks Directorate, which is headquartered at Hanscom.

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