The Bombardier Global Express is a large cabin, ultra long range business jet manufactured
by Bombardier Aerospace in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. There are currently five variants,
the original Global Express, Global 5000, Global 6000, Global 7000 & Global 8000. The
Global Express has been modified for military missions, such as the Raytheon Sentinel and
the USAF E-11A. The Global Express can fly intercontinental ranges without refueling
or between most two points in the world with only one stop. In this class the Global Express
competes with the Airbus Corporate Jet, Boeing Business Jet and Gulfstream G550.
Design and development Bombardier Aerospace began studies in 1991
and the aircraft was officially launched in 1993. The first flight occurred on October
13, 1996. The Global Express shares the Canadair / Bombardier Regional Jet's fuselage cross
section and is similar in length, but despite the size similarities the two aircraft are
very different due to the nature of their roles. The Global Express features an advanced
all new supercritical wing with a 35° sweep and winglets, plus a new T-tail. The aircraft
is powered by two BMW RollsRoyce BR-710 turbofans with FADEC. The advanced flightdeck features
a six screen Honeywell Primus 2000 XP EFIS suite and is offered with optional heads-up
displays.
The Global Express was announced on 28 October 1991 at the NBAA convention. Full-scale cabin
mockup was exhibited at the NBAA convention in September 1992. Conceptual design started
early 1993 and the programme was officially launched on 20 December 1993. The aircraft
high-speed configuration was frozen in June 1994 and the low-speed configuration was established
in August 1994. Bombardier subsidiaries have three specific
roles in the project: Canadair is the design leader and manufactures the nose; Short Brothers,
Belfast is responsible for the design and manufacture of the engine nacelles, horizontal
stabiliser and forward fuselage; and de Havilland Canada builds the rear fuselage and vertical
tail and carries out final assembly. The major external supplier is Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy
Industries which builds the wing and centre fuselage sections.
Global 5000
The Global 5000 is a derivative based on Global Express, with 0.813 m reduction in forward
fuselage length, and 1,200 nmi reduction in maximum range. Seating capacity is up to
19 passengers. The aircraft was announced on 25 October 2001 with the official launch
on 5 February 2002, after a positive market assessment with letters of intent for 15 aircraft.
The aircraft is manufactured by Bombardier Aerospace in Toronto, Ontario, and flown "green"
to Montreal, Quebec, Savannah, Georgia, or Cahokia,Illinois for final completion.
The Global 5000 is built on the same production line as the Global Express XRS, and the two
types' serial numbers are intermingled. The first Global 5000 aircraft flew on 7 March
2003. The flight was dedicated to testing basic system functionality and assessing the
aircraft's handling and flying qualities. The aircraft completed its preliminary testing
at Bombardier's Downsview facility, before it moved to Bombardier's Wichita facility
to begin the flight test program. The Global 5000 made its first appearance at the Paris
Air Show in June 2003. The Global 5000 can fly close to 5,000 nautical
miles nonstop at Mach 0.80. The average trip lengths for most operators is 2.5 hours where
the aircraft will cruise between Mach 0.85 and Mach 0.89, making it one of the fastest
long range jets available today. Typical configuration features 18 passenger
seats including fully berthable seats and an aft lounge/bedroom. The aircraft has a
full galley and two lavatories. The crew rest area was removed, but is being considered
on newer versions. Originally, the maximum takeoff weight was
89,700 lb. With typical equipment and passenger accoutrements, the empty weight was 52,000–55,000
pounds. In April 2008, Bombardier announced that the certified gross weight had been increased
to 92,500 lb, which permitted an increased fuel load—projected maximum range increased
to 5,200 nmi. The maximum certified altitude is 51,000 ft
The typical approach speed is 108 kn requiring approximately 2,600 ft of runway for landing.
Global 5000 changes compared to the Global Express are:
Fuselage shortened by 0.813 m. Removal of the fuel tank in the tail and limiting
fuel in the wings. Reduction in MTOW by 5,500 lb.
Reduction in maximum range by 1,200 nmi. Rearrangement of some avionics to gain usable
cabin length. Allowance for interior completions.
Global 6000 The Global 6000 is an improved version of
the original aircraft, offering higher cruise speed, increased range, improved cabin layout
and lighting. It has been reported that the letters have no significance, but were chosen
by focus groups simply to improve the brand image. The range increase is achieved by addition
of a 1,486 lb fuel tank at the wing root. The Global Express XRS entered service in
early 2006. The unit price is estimated to be $US45.5 million. Bombardier claims it takes
15 minutes less to fuel the Global 6000 than the original model thanks to improved computer
systems and mechanical refinements. Variants
Global Express - is the original model. Global 6000 -
Global 5000 - Global 7000
Global 8000 Raytheon Sentinel R1 -
E-11A - United States Air Force designation for four Global Express being used as a platform
for the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node.
Operators Military operators
Botswana Botswana Air Force - operates a single BD-700-1A10
for VIP transport. Germany
German Air Force - 4 for VIP transport operated by the Special Air Mission Wing MoD in Cologne
Malaysia Royal Malaysian Air Force
1st Division - 2 Squadron - 1 for VIP transport
United Kingdom Royal Air Force
No. 5 Squadron RAF - 5
Swaziland Military of Swaziland
United States US Air Force
Northrop Grumman E-11A
Mexico Mexican Air Force - 1 ordered
India Indian Air Force - 1 Delivered
Civil operators The aircraft is operated by private individuals,
companies, executive charter operators and government agencies.
Specifications Data from Bombardier
General characteristics Crew: 2-3
Capacity: 8 passengers in a typical configuration, up to 19 in high density arrangement
Length: 96.8 ft Wingspan: 94 ft 0 in
Height: 25.5 ft Wing area: 1,882 ft²
Useful load: 1,775 lb Max. takeoff weight: 92,750 lb
Powerplant: 2 × Rolls-Royce Deutschland BR710A2-20 turbofans, 14,750 lbf each
Cabin length: 42.47 f Cabin width: 8.17 ft
Cabin width: 6.92 ft Cabin height: 6.25 ft
Cabin floor area: 317 ft² Cabin Total Volume 1,884 ft³
Performance Maximum speed: Mach .89
Cruise speed: Mach .85 Range: 5,200 nmi
Service ceiling: 51,000 ft Basic Operating Weight: 50,840 lb
Maximum Ramp Weight: 92,750 lb Maximum Takeoff Weight: 92,500 lb
Maximum Zero Fuel Weight: 56,000 lb Maximum Fuel Weight: 39,250 lb
Balanced field length: 5,540 ft Landing distance: 2,670 ft
Avionics Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics
suite
See also
Related development Raytheon Sentinel
Bombardier Global 7000/8000 Aircraft of comparable role, configuration
and era Gulfstream V
Gulfstream 500/550 Dassault Falcon 7X
Embraer Lineage 1000 Related lists
List of civil aircraft References
Notes
Bibliography Simpson, Rod. "Global 5000–Fills the Gap
for Bombardier". Air International, October 2005, Vol 68 No 4. pp. 30–36. ISSN 0306-5634.
External links Bombardier Global Family page
Bombardier Global 5000 in the sweet spot Bombardier Global 6000 Luxury Business Jet
at Aerospace-Technology.com