Bombardier E-11A is the military variant of the civil Bombardier BD-700 Global Express for use as overhead communications-relay platform in southwest Asia.
The BD-700 was selected due to its high service ceiling, up to 51,000 ft and up to 12 hours flight duration.
Initially aircraft was designated as RC-700 under the reconnaissance classification but later was re-designated as the E-11A under the special electronics installations category.
The E-11A is a U.S. Air Force aircraft that provides unparalleled communications capabilities to forces on the ground and aircraft in the air.
Commonly known as Battlefield Airborne Communications Node, or BACN, this aircraft extends the range of communications channels and enables better communication among units.
This element is essential where the terrain may disrupt communications channels and it enables ground forces to know what is around them when something is not in their line of sight.
Photos by U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gonsier at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan
