The US Army Bombardier Challenger 650 ARTEMIS (reg. N488CR – c/s BRIO68) is returning to Constanta, Romania.
The aircraft has completed a SIGINT mission off the coast of Libya, covering the entire area from Tripoli to Al Beyda for approximately 4 hours. This is further evidence of how the USA is closely monitoring (and concerned about) the situation in the North African country.
Just yesterday, the latest surveillance mission was carried out, in that case by a Triton drone launched from Sigonella (here are the details).
According to the Army, ARTEMIS (short for Airborne Reconnaissance and Targeting Multi-Mission Intelligence System) is the service’s first ever Manned Aerial ISR jet.
The ARTEMIS program, a joint investment between the Army and industry partners, started in May 2019 and recently completed aircraft and sensor system engineering, airworthiness qualification, information assurance accreditation, integration and testing requirements.