The Bombardier Global Express XRS made its first flight on this day in 1999. This maiden flight lasted for 2 hours and 46 minutes, and the aircraft reached a height of 11.000 ft. (3350 meters) and a speed of 210 knots (390 kph). Another three airframes would join the test program, in which 2200 flight hours would be flown.
The Bombardier Global Express
On the 20th of December 1993, the Bombardier Global Express was launched. Bombardier wanted to build the longest range business jet (~6000 miles / 12.000 km) that could be operated from a short runway and cruising at the highest cruise speed (Mach .85) They used the fuselage of the Bombardier Challenger and the cabin length of the Bombardier Regional Jet. A new wing and tail were designed, the wing is a supercritical wing with a sweep of 35°. The wing gives excellent low and high-speed performance and by its flexibility, it attenuates turbulence by design. FADEC controlled BMW Rolls Royce BR710 engines were chosen as a power source for the aircraft. The flight has six displays as part of the Honeywell Primus 2000 XP EFIS suite. Primary Flight controls would be mechanically controlled and hydraulically operated. At the time the cost for developing and testing a fly by wire system was deemed too high.
Just under three years after the program was launched the prototype was revealed to the public on the 26th of August 1996.
Global Express with Honeywell avionics Global 6000 with Rockwell Collins Avionics
Over the years several variants were developed, some as a pure business jet, others in a (para) military configuration. An overview;
Global 5000 Announced in the last quarter of 2001 it has a slightly shorter fuselage, 3' (0,90 meters). Several weight variants are available, the standard version with an MTOW of 87.700 lbs (39.800 kg) but also a high weight variant with an MTOW of 92.500 lbs (42.000 kg). The main difference between the weight variants is the size of the centre fuel tank. The Honeywell avionics were upgraded with a Rockwell C0llins Fusion Avionics suite
Global 6000 Production of this variant started in 2012 Similar in design to the Global 5000 it featured an additional Aft Auxilliary and a Forward Auxilliary fuel tank. Later versions of the Global 5000 would also have a Forward Auxiliary fuel tank.
Global 5500 and 6500 Further developments of the Bombardier Global series with a new wing design, and an increased Mmo of Mach 0.90. The engines also received an upgraded, they were the Rolls Royce BR710 Pearl engines, which gave a 13% lower fuel burn while providing 9% more thrust.
Global 7500 Based on the Global 6000 this is the latest variant of the Bombardier Global Business Jet family. It features a transonic wing allowing for a Mmo of Mach 0.925 (530 kn / 982 km/h), while normal cruise speed is in the region of Mach 0.85. It is the first aircraft in the family to be powered by another engine than the rest of the family, It is powered by two 16.500 lbs General Electric Passport engines
Also, several military aircraft were based on the Bombardier Global platform: - Saab Global Eye, a multi-role AEW&C aircraft based on the Global 6000 - Marshall Aerospace Project Dolphin, Surveillance aircraft based on the Global 6000 - Raytheon Sentinel (ASTOR - Airborne STand Off Radar) based on the Global Express - Saab Swordfish, an armed maritime patrol aircraft - E-11A, US Air Force Battle Field Airborne Communications Node based on the Global 6000
The Bombardier Global Express
Specifications for the Bombardier Global Express;
Range
Normal Range: 6055 nm
Max Range: 6226 nm
Service Ceiling: 51000 ft
Distances
Balanced Field Length: 6170 ft
Landing Distance: 2670 ft
Performance
Rate of Climb: 3300 fpm
Climb Rate One Engine Inop: 474 fpm
Max Speed: 511 kts
Normal Cruise: 488 kts
Economy Cruise: 471 kts
Power Plant
BMW Rolls Royce BR 710
Exterior
Exterior Height: 25 ft 5 in
Wing Span: 94 ft 0 in
Length: 99 ft 4 in
Interior
Cabin Height: 6 ft 3 In
Cabin Width: 8 ft 2 In
Cabin Length: 48 ft 4 In
Cabin Volume: 2140 cu ft
Door Height: 6 ft 2 In
Door Width: 3 ft 0 In
Internal Baggage: 195 cu ft
Occupancy
Crew: 2
Passengers: 8-19
Operating Weights
Max T/O Weight: 98000 Lb
Max Landing Weight: 78600 Lb
Operating Weight: 51200 Lb
Fuel Capacity: 44642 lbs Lb
Payload W/Full Fuel: 2408 Lb
Max Payload: 4800 Lb
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