Bombardier Global Express (Series)

Business Jet / Special Missions Platform [ 1997 ]

The Bombardier Global Express series of business jets, originating from Canadian aerospace, has seen modest success in a lucrative and crowded market.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 02/08/2023 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

Image from Bombardier Aerospace marketing material.

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The Bombardier Global Express is a series of twin-engined business jet (BizJet) aircraft produced by Bombardier Aerospace of Canada. First-flying on October 13th, 1996 and introduced for service in 1997, the line has since expanded to include major offshoots in the models 5000, 5500, 6000, and 6500. Approximately 750 of the type have been built into 2018 and, beyond their obvious civilian marketplace role, some have been modified to serve in various military roles. Production of the series has been ongoing since 1996. The line has spawned the Global 7500/8000 offshoots detailed elsewhere on this site.

At its core, the Global Express sports a traditional bizjet design arrangement: the two-person flightdeck is seated over a short, pointed, downward-sloping nosecone offering good vision out-of-the-cockpit. The fuselage is tubular in the usual way and lined with windows on either side for passenger viewing. Access doors are of the traditional hinged, rectangular offering. The tail unit utilizes a "T-style" Multhopp unit with the horizontal planes set high to clear jet wash. This allows the engines to be fitted well-aft of center mass along the fuselage sides - and thereby reducing operating noise for the passengers within. The wing mainplanes are well-swept-back and capped by winglets for fuel efficiency and added control. The undercarriage is a conventional, retractable tricycle arrangement for ground-running. Dimensions include a running length of 96.9 feet, a wingspan of 94 feet and a height of 25.5 feet.

Up to sixteen passengers can be carried in comfort though this depends entirely on configuration (face-to-face, side-by-side seating - some swiveling). A fully galley with sink, oven, and chilled storage is included. The entry door is insulated and the cockpit divided from the passenger area by curtain. The main cabin can further be separated from the entrance by a noise-reducing sliding door. In-flight internet connectivity is available.

The cockpit seats its crew of two side-by-side and includes all-modern functionality. In more recent versions, the instrument panel is dominated by three large color displays arranged side-by-side-by-side. A center console divides the two seats in the traditional way and features a fourth color display. Each pilot is given a flight yoke for control as well as a flip-down HUD. The cockpit is completed with the Bombardier "Vision" flight deck, multi-scan weather radar, high-speed SATCOm datalink and the usual ergonomic qualities (for pilots and passengers alike) expected of a BizJet in this weight/performance class. Efficiency in the cockpit and reduction of pilot fatigue is the name-of-the-game.

Engines vary between the select models of the Global Express series - either the Rolls-Royce BR710A2-20 or the Rolls-Royce "Pearl" series are used. Performance sees the Global Express series reach ranges of 6,000 nautical miles (Model 6500) topping speeds of March 0.90. Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) is 92,500lb. The Model 5000 can reach from Hong Kong to Los Angeles. making it a true international traveler.

The Global Express has been adopted in various military guises, typically the base aircraft being modified through installation of specialized mission equipment (generally noted for the various protrusions and bulges present along the fuselage ventral and dorsal spines). This is the case with the Global 6000-based "GlobalEye" by Saab featuring the Saab "Erieye" ER AESA radar fit. "Project Dolphin" sees the Global 6000 as the focal point, fitting surveillance equipment. Both the GlobalEye and Project Dolphin have been adopted by the United Arab Emirates Air Force. The Raytheon "Sentinel" is another surveillance-minded platform and is in service with the British Royal Air Force. The Saab "Swordfish" is another Saab modification of the Global Express series and intended for the maritime patrol role. The United States Air Force operates the E-11A, a Global Express fleet modified for the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node role.

The flexibility of the Global Express design sees it function with equal efficiency in both civilian and military market sectors. Various civilian operators have taken the line into service and these range from North America and Europe to the Middle East. Military operators include Angola, Botswana, Germany, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Swaziland, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.©MilitaryFactory.com

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August 2018 - A Project Dolphin form of the Global 6000 business jet was revealed for the United Arab Emirates. Testing of the special-mission series aircraft is ongoing at Boscombe Down in Britain.

October 2018 - To date, the Global 5500 and Global 6500 models of the Global Express family have completed upwards of 70% of their flight-testing programs.

May 2019 - It was announced that the initial Global 6500 aircraft example is nearing completion. Service entry is scheduled for later this year.

September 2019 - The Global 5500 and 6500 models have achieved type certification.

October 2019 - Bombardier has announced an increase to the operational range of its Global 5500 series model to 5,900 nautical miles.

Specifications

Bombardier Aerospace - Canada / Airbus - France
Manufacturer(s)

Angola; Botswana; Germany; India; Malaysia; Mexico; Swaziland; United Arab Emirates; United Kingdom; United States
Operators

National flag of the United Arab Emirates

1997
Service Year

Canada
National Origin

Active
Project Status

2
Crew

750
Units

SPECIAL-MISSION: AIRBORNE EARLY WARNING
Specially-equipped platform providing over-battlefield Command and Control (C2) capability for allied aerial elements.

SPECIAL-MISSION: ELETRONIC WARFARE
Equipped to actively deny adversaries the ElectroMagnetic (EM) spectrum and protect said spectrum for allied forces.

MARITIME / NAVY
Land-based or shipborne capability for operating over-water in various maritime-related roles while supported by allied naval surface elements.

COMMERCIAL AVIATION
Used in roles serving the commercial aviation market, ferrying both passengers and goods over range.

BIZJET
Used in roles serving the business aviation market, primarily VIP and regional travel.

VIP SERVICE
Used in the Very-Important-Person (VIP) passenger transport role, typically with above-average amenities and luxuries as standard.

INTELLIGENCE-SURVEILLANCE-RECONNAISSANCE
Surveil ground targets / target areas to assess environmental threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.

96.8 ft
(29.50 meters)
Length

94.2 ft
(28.70 meters)
Width/Span

25.6 ft
(7.80 meters)
Height

50,927 lb
(23,100 kilograms)
Empty Weight

92,594 lb
(42,000 kilograms)
Maximum Take-Off Weight

+41,667 lb
(+18,900 kg)
Weight Difference

2 x Rolls-Royce BR710A2-20 turbofan engines developing 14,750lb of thrust each.
Propulsion

684 mph
(1,100 kph | 594 knots)
Max Speed

51,001 ft
(15,545 m | 10 miles)
Ceiling

5,984 miles
(9,630 km | 5,200 nm)
Range

MACH Regime (Sonic)

Sub

Trans

Super

Hyper

HiHyper

ReEntry

♦

None. Military versions outfitted with specialized mission sensors, radar and accompanying equipment for AEWC, maritime patrol, airborne battlefield command and surveillance sorties.

Global Express - Base Series Name.

Global 5000 - Model of 2002/2003; 18-seat capability.

Global Express XRS - Model of 2003

Global 6000 - Model of 2012; increased cruising speeds and ranges; addresses issues with passenger and crew cabinspace; updated processing systems.

Global 5500/6500 - Model of 2018-2019; increased speed; revised cabinspace; newer Pearl engines for fuel efficiency and extended operating ranges.

GlobalEye - Military model with modifications by Saab; radar equipped aircraft.

Project Dolphin - Military model with modifications by Marshall; surveillance role.

Raytheon Sentinel - Military model with modifications by Raytheon; surveillance role.

Saab Swordfish - Military model with modifications by Saab; maritime surveillance role.

E-11A - Military model for USAF; Battlefield Airborne Communications Node aircraft.

Cockpit image of the Bombardier Global Express (Series)

Cockpit image represents the Bombardier Global 6000 production model.

General Assessment

Firepower

Performance

Survivability

Versatility

Impact

Values are derrived from a variety of categories related to the design, overall function, and historical influence of this aircraft in aviation history.

Overall Rating

The overall rating takes into account over 60 individual factors related to this aircraft entry.

64

Rating is out of a possible 100 points.

Relative Maximum Speed

Hi: 750mph

Lo: 375mph

This entry's maximum listed speed (684mph).

Graph average of 563 miles-per-hour.

City-to-City Ranges

NYC

LON

PAR

BER

MOS

TOK

SYD

LAX

NYC

Operational range when compared to distances between major cities (in KM).

Max Altitude Visualization

Design Balance

The three qualities reflected above are altitude, speed, and range.

Aviation Era Span

Showcasing era cross-over of this aircraft design.

Unit Production (750)

750

36183

44000

Compared against Ilyushin IL-2 (military) and Cessna 172 (civilian).

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Images

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Image of the Bombardier Global Express (Series)

Image from Bombardier Aerospace marketing material.

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