The US Army will keep the ARTEMIS reconnaissance aircraft operating in Europe through at least the summer of 2027, with up to $127 million allocated for continued missions, according to defense contractor Leidos.
The new contract covers ARTEMIS operations across the area overseen by US European Command. The agreement also includes options that could extend the program for another two years.
ARTEMIS is based on the Bombardier Challenger 650 business jet, converted for intelligence missions. Leidos supplies the aircraft, handles its operation and provides flight crews. The US Army has used the platform in Europe since 2020.
The aircraft has regularly operated along NATO’s eastern flank. Open-source flight data show ARTEMIS departing from Constanta in Romania and heading over the Black Sea south of Crimea. It has also flown intelligence missions over Poland and the Baltic states, including areas near the Kaliningrad Region.
Another such flight was recorded on September 24. A Bombardier ARTEMIS II departed Romania and headed toward the Black Sea. According to flight data reviewed by RIA Novosti, the aircraft was over the Black Sea at 9:25 a.m. Moscow time, while its final destination remained unknown.
ARTEMIS II is also a Leidos-converted business jet equipped for radar reconnaissance. The military version received the ARTEMIS II designation and is regularly used on routes around the Kaliningrad Region and over the Black Sea along Crimea and other southern parts of Russia.
Russia has repeatedly pointed to what it describes as an unprecedented increase in NATO activity near its western borders in recent years. The alliance says its expanding military presence and related initiatives are aimed at deterring what it calls Russian aggression. Moscow, meanwhile, has repeatedly voiced concern over the buildup of NATO forces in Europe.