Saab has officially unveiled the first GlobalEye airborne early warning and control aircraft destined for the Swedish Air Force, marking a critical step toward modernizing the nation’s multi-domain surveillance capabilities.

Presented at the manufacturer’s Linköping facility on October 15, 2026, the aircraft will now enter a comprehensive testing and verification phase ahead of its maiden flight. The milestone, announced in a company press release, follows a strategic push by the Swedish government to accelerate deliveries of the advanced sensor platform.

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Accelerated procurement and fleet expansion

The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) initially contracted Saab for two GlobalEye aircraft in June 2022 under a SEK 7.3 billion agreement. That initial contract included options for up to two additional airframes. In June 2024, the FMV exercised one of those options, ordering a third aircraft for SEK 2.6 billion.

The procurement timeline has seen significant adjustments since the initial order. While the 2022 contract originally slated deliveries for 2027, the Swedish government announced an accelerated delivery schedule in October 2024. This shift was catalyzed by Sweden’s strategic decision to donate one of its older Saab ASC 890 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) airframes to Ukraine. To bridge the resulting capability gap, the first two GlobalEye airframes will be delivered to the Swedish Air Force in an interim configuration before undergoing later modifications to reach their full operational capability.

During the presentation ceremony in Linköping, Saab leadership emphasized the program’s progress.

“The presentation of Sweden’s first GlobalEye marks an important milestone for both Saab and the Swedish Armed Forces. As the programme progresses towards delivery, GlobalEye will provide Sweden with a powerful capability for airborne surveillance and situational awareness,” said Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab.

Platform capabilities and international demand

Designated the S 106 in Swedish military service, the GlobalEye is a multi-domain AEW&C solution designed to provide a comprehensive operational picture across air, land, and maritime environments. The system integrates Saab’s Erieye Extended Range (ER) active electronically scanned array radar, along with a suite of active and passive sensors, onto a modified Bombardier Global 6000/6500 long-range business jet platform.

The platform is experiencing growing international demand as NATO and allied air forces move to modernize their airborne surveillance fleets. The United Arab Emirates served as the launch customer for the GlobalEye type. Beyond the Middle East, the aircraft is gaining traction within Europe.

On September 10, 2026, Dutch Defence Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius and Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson signed a Letter of Intent for the Netherlands to acquire one Saab GlobalEye aircraft. This procurement will be executed through a framework involving Sweden’s FMV. As part of the agreement, Dutch crews are expected to gain access to Swedish aircraft for training purposes starting in 2028. Additionally, the platform is currently being evaluated by Canada for its own multi-mission aircraft requirements.

AirPro News analysis

The rollout of the Swedish GlobalEye highlights a broader European shift toward rapidly fielding advanced airborne early warning capabilities in response to regional security demands. By accepting initial airframes in an interim configuration, the Swedish Air Force is prioritizing immediate operational availability over waiting for full-capability modifications. The framework agreement with the Netherlands suggests Saab is successfully positioning the GlobalEye as a standardized, interoperable AEW&C solution for NATO allies, potentially challenging traditional American dominance in this specific procurement space.

Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc. has secured a 220-day exclusive-use task order from the U.S. Department of the Interior to deploy a highly modified Multi-Mission King Air 350 for aerial intelligence during the 2027 wildfire season.

The contract, announced in a company press release on October 15, 2026, guarantees a minimum award value of approximately $5.3 million and will primarily support the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the U.S. Wildland Fire Service.

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Extended deployment for the 2027 fire season

The exclusive-use period is anticipated to begin on or around March 1, 2027, and run through early October 2027. The agreement includes provisions for potential mutual extension beyond the initial 220-day window. This new task order follows a shorter 112-day deployment of the same aircraft under a U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) contract during the summer of 2026, which was announced on July 16, 2026.

The aircraft will provide air attack flight services, delivering real-time data dissemination to ground crews managing wildland fires across the United States.

“This award gives us the opportunity to put our people, aircraft, and intelligence capabilities to work for the Bureau of Indian Affairs across more of the 2027 wildfire season,” said Sam Davis, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bridger Aerospace.

Davis noted that the Multi-Mission King Air 350 is designed to deliver critical information from above, enabling ground crews to make rapid decisions during active fire events.

Aircraft modifications and intelligence integration

The Multi-Mission King Air 350 utilized for this contract underwent extensive modifications at Bridger Aerospace’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified repair station. The upgrade program was supported by the company’s engineering team based in Huntsville, Alabama.

To meet the specific demands of aerial intelligence and air attack roles, the aircraft was equipped with Blackhawk engine upgrades, which provide jet-like speed and improved low-altitude performance. The flight deck features updated Garmin avionics. For its primary surveillance mission, the aircraft carries dual sensor systems integrating Wide Area Motion Imagery (WAMI) technology paired with an MX-15 electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor.

Growing state and federal footprint

Headquartered in Belgrade, Montana, Bridger Aerospace was founded in 2014 by combat veterans and operates a diverse fleet of specialized firefighting aircraft. The company’s portfolio includes Pilatus PC-12s, Kodiaks, King Airs, and the largest private fleet of Canadair CL-415EAF and CL-215T Super Scoopers globally.

The $5.3 million DOI task order adds to a series of recent government contracts and technology integrations for the company. On July 27, 2026, Bridger Aerospace secured a $58 million contract from the Texas A&M Forest Service to build a State Wildfire Aviation Surveillance Program. That agreement included the acquisition and modification of three King Air 360 multi-mission aircraft.

The company has also expanded its software and data capabilities. On September 3, 2026, Bridger Aerospace announced a partnership with OroraTech USA to integrate space-based thermal intelligence and satellite data into IGNIS, its mobile-first wildfire operations software platform.

Honeywell Aerospace has secured a position on a $1.5 billion multiple-award contract from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to provide counter-unmanned aircraft systems across federal agencies.

Announced by the company in a press release on October 12, 2026, the indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity agreement consolidates procurement for components such as Customs and Border Protection, the Secret Service, and the Coast Guard, enabling rapid acquisition of defensive hardware and software.

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Hardware and software delivery

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officially awarded the contract on July 31, 2026, with an effective date of August 1, 2026. The ordering period runs for five years, concluding on July 31, 2031. Throughout this window, approved vendors will compete for specific task orders issued by the agency.

Honeywell will participate through its wholly owned subsidiary, EMS Defense Technologies. The company was selected under Track 1 of the program, which covers the delivery of counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) equipment, training, maintenance, and ancillary support services. A separate Track 2 was established for comprehensive service solutions.

Matt Milas, President of Defense and Space at Honeywell Aerospace, stated that the selection reflects the company’s expertise in delivering technologies that safeguard national interests.

“As unmanned aircraft threats continue to evolve, we are proud to support DHS with advanced capabilities that enhance situational awareness, improve operational effectiveness, and strengthen the security of personnel, facilities and critical infrastructure,” Milas said.

Consolidating federal drone defense

The DHS Science and Technology Directorate established the C-UAS indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle to replace a historically fragmented procurement landscape. Previously, individual DHS components managed separate acquisition efforts for drone defense, leading to a patchwork of systems across the federal government.

The push for unified procurement follows the December 2025 passage of the SAFER SKIES Act as part of the fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act. The legislation expanded the department’s legal authority to detect, track, and mitigate drone threats.

Honeywell joins an initial group of seven vendors on Track 1. The competitive landscape for the contract continues to evolve, with Anduril Industries added to the hardware and software track in September 2026 following a successful protest.

The counter-drone market is expanding rapidly in response to the proliferation of autonomous drone swarms and “dark drones” that operate without broadcasting identification. Honeywell’s C-UAS portfolio includes the Stationary and Mobile UAV Reveal and Intercept (SAMURAI) system, which utilizes artificial intelligence for detection and can deploy both kinetic and non-kinetic effectors. The systems are designed to be platform-agnostic, capable of operating in fixed positions or mounted on vehicles moving at speeds up to 70 mph.

The company has also pursued airborne applications for its defensive systems. In March 2026, Honeywell announced a collaboration with Odys Aviation to integrate the SAMURAI system onto hybrid-electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, targeting the aerial defense of critical infrastructure.

AirPro News analysis

The $1.5 billion DHS vehicle represents a maturation point for the domestic counter-drone market. By shifting from ad-hoc, agency-specific purchases to a centralized IDIQ, the federal government is signaling a need for standardized, interoperable C-UAS architectures. For prime contractors like Honeywell, securing a spot on Track 1 guarantees a seat at the table as task orders are issued over the next five years, positioning their proprietary sensors and effectors as baseline standards for federal infrastructure protection.