Bombardier Global Express

Raytheon ASTOR Prototype

The Bombardier BD-700 Global Express is an ultra long range corporate and VIP high speed jet which has also been modified for military missions.

Bombardier began studies in 1991 and the aircraft was officially launched in 1993. First flight occurred on October 13 1996.

The Global Express can fly intercontinental ranges without refuelling (e.g. New York - Tokyo) or between any 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 V.

Bombardier subsidiaries have three specific roles in the project, Canadair is the design leader and manufactures the nose; Shorts, 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.

The powerplant of the Global Express is the Rolls-Royce BR710.

The military version of the Global Express is the Sentinel R1 of the Royal Air Force. The Sentinel carries the Raytheon Airborne Stand-Off Radar (ASTOR) and provides battlefield surveillance, similar to the USAF JSTARS aircraft. The aircraft was selected due to the operating ceiling, 51,000ft. Due to the modifications of the RAF aircraft, including fairings for the radar and SATCOM antennas, the Sentinel's ceiling is reduced from this maximum but is still higher than the Boeing 707 which carries the JSTARS radar. This height advantage allows a wider area to be searched.

Global Express XRS

The Global Express is an improved version of the original aircraft, offering higher cruise speed, increased range, improved cabin layout and lighting. It is 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 (674 kg) fuel tank at the wing root. The Global Express XRS is scheduled to enter service in early 2006. The unit price is estimated at $45.5 million (US). Bombardier claim it will be quicker to fuel the XRS due to improved computer systems and mechanical refinements, a saving of 15 minutes is expected.

See also

• Gulfstream V
• Bombardier Global 5000