Bombardier Confirms New Large Bizjet

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Bombardier has confirmed it will launch a new model of large-cabin ultra-long-range business jet in answer to Gulfstream’s development of the G650. The G650, which is now in flight tests, is about 20 percent larger and has a maximum range of 7,000 nm, about 650 nm farther than the Global Express XRS, the latest model. Gulfstream also says the G650 will have a maximum speed of .925 Mach, compared to the XRS’s .89. As we reported in September, Bombardier will unveil the new aircraft at the National Business Aviation Association convention in Atlanta later this month, Bombardier CEO Guy Hachey told Bloomberg his company isn’t about to surrender what it considers to be its supremacy in the large business aircraft market. “Our intention is to grow our leadership position and the time is right to move forward with our extended Global aircraft family,” he said.

What he didn’t say was whether the new plane will be a clean-sheet design or an extended and re-engined version of the XRS. George Tsopeis, a former Bombardier executive, told the Montreal Gazette two weeks ago his money is on the stretch model with the same engines used on the G650 (Rolls Royce BR725). It’s also a safe bet the new model will have updated avionics and a new cabin-management system.

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