Bombardier Global 7500

(Redirected from Bombardier Global 8000)

The Bombardier Global 7500 and Global 8000 are ultra long-range business jets developed by Bombardier Aviation (formerly Bombardier Aerospace) and remain the largest business jets in the world. Announced in October 2010, the program was delayed by two years due to a wing redesign. The 7500, originally named the 7000, made its first flight on November 4, 2016, was type certified by Transport Canada on September 28, 2018, and entered service on 20 December 2018.

Global 7500 and 8000
Global 7500 at EBACE 2019
Role Business jet
National origin Canada
Manufacturer Bombardier Aviation
First flight 7500: November 4, 2016[1]
Introduction 7500: December 20, 2018[2]
8000: 2025[3]
Status In service
Produced 2016 – present
Number built 200 as of September 2024[4]
Developed from Bombardier Global 6000

Based on the Global 6000 with a new transonic wing and a cabin with four areas or "zones," the 7500 has a range of 7,700 nmi (14,300 km).

The Global 8000 was initially a shorter, three-zone aircraft but was updated in May 2022 as a longer-range 7500, reaching 8,000 nmi (14,800 km) and to be introduced in 2025.

Development

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Announced in October 2010, the jets were initially scheduled for introduction in 2016 for the 7500 and 2017 for the 8000.[5] In 2015, Bombardier decided to redesign the aircraft's wing and, along other development challenges, delayed the programme by over two years.[6] The goal of the redesign was to reduce the wing's weight without altering its aerodynamic profile. The aircraft fly-by-wire system architecture is based on that of the CSeries.[7] The airframe will use Aluminium–lithium alloys like the other airliner.[8] The program cost more than US$1 billion.[9]

Global 7500

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The 7500 fuselage is stretched by 11 ft 3 in (3.43 m) from the original Global

Formerly named Global 7000, its entry into service was initially scheduled for 2016.[5] Former Formula One driver and long time Bombardier brand ambassador Niki Lauda announced his order ahead of the EBACE 2015 convention.[10]

The first test aircraft underwent taxi testing in October 2016.[11] Dedicated to testing basic system functionality and assessing the handling and flying qualities of the aircraft, its maiden flight was performed on November 4, 2016, climbing to 20,000 feet (6,096 m) and reaching 240 knots during the 2 h 27 min flight.[1]

The production wing was in final design in February 2017.[12] FTV2 flew on March 6, 2017, "The Powerhouse" is designed to test aircraft systems, including propulsion, electrical and mechanical systems.[13] FTV1 is used to open the performance envelope and reached Mach 0.995 on March 29, 2017.[14] FTV3 flew on May 10, 2017, "The Navigator" will be used to test the avionics and electrical system performance.[15]

By the end of May 2017, the three prototypes flew a combined 250 hours.[16]

The fourth prototype, used for cabin interior validation, is called "The Architect" and the fifth and final, for the entry-into-service, is called "The Masterpiece".[17] The fifth has a slightly lighter production wing supplied by the Triumph Group, after a dispute over the wing weight was resolved.[18]

 
GE Passport tested at AEDC

By mid-July 2017, the three flight-test aircraft had accumulated 500 hours.[8] On 15 August 2017, after "high vibration and high inter-turbine temperature readings", the second prototype's right GE Passport had an in-flight flameout at FL410 and the aircraft went back to Wichita Airport 156 nmi (290 km) away for a single engine landing.[19]

By October 2017, the four flight-test aircraft had flown 900 hours.[20]

In April 2018, the flight test campaign surpassed 1,800 hours and confirmed a range increase from 7,400 to 7,700 nmi (13,700 to 14,300 km), greater than the competing Gulfstream G650ER's 7,500 nmi (13,900 km), but still overshadowed by the smaller Global 8000's range of 7,900 nmi (14,600 km), 200 nmi (370 km) more than the Global 7500.[21] As the original Global Express is developed into the Global 5500 and 6500, it is renamed Global 7500 to reflect this range increase.[22]

By the end of May 2018, the five flight-test aircraft had amassed about 2,000 hours towards the type's planned entry-into-service at year-end.[23] By June 2018, 2,300 flight test hours had been completed by the test fleet towards certification. The first production aircraft entered the completion centre in May 2018.[24]

 
The Global 7500 bedroom

Flight testing was completed by August 2018 after over 2,400 hours; type certification and introduction into service are expected by year-end, with 15-20 customer deliveries in 2019, as 20 aircraft were in final assembly.[25] By September 2018, the test aircraft had flown over 2,700 hours as FTV1 was retired from testing and repainted to be used as a demonstrator.[26] Bombardier was expecting certification in September 2018.[27]

Transport Canada awarded its type certification on September 28, 2018.[28] FAA type certification followed on November 7, 2018.[29] The first was expected to be delivered in December, then 15 to 20 in 2019, and 35 to 40 in 2020, with the program sold out through 2021.[30] After being delivered in early December, the Global 7500 entered service on 20 December with 100 secured orders.[2]

In February 2019, Bombardier acquired the Global 7500 wing manufacturing program and facilities from Triumph Group.[31] In 2023, its equipped price was $78M.[32]

In Aug 2024, Bombardier announced that the Global 7500 business jet had achieved over 50 speed records within a span of less than 50 weeks, highlighting its performance and efficiency in long-distance flights.[33]

Global 8000

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Entry into service was initially scheduled for 2017.[5] By September 2016, it was delayed to early 2019.[6] Trading nearly 8 ft (2.4 m) of cabin space for 600 nmi (1,100 km) of range, the Global 8000 accounted for a very small part of the backlog in December 2017 and its schedule was expected to be determined after the Global 7500 entered service.[34] Lacking differentiation, it might be replaced by a higher maximum take-off weight (MTOW) Global 7500 variant with more range.[34] The 8000 unit cost was $71 million in 2014.[35]

Instead of the initially planned 2.6m (8.5ft) shrink of the Global 7000, Bombardier launched the Global 8000 as a longer range variant of the 7500 at the May 2022 EBACE.[3] As service entry is planned for 2025, the earlier model will be phased out for the new 8000, while existing 7500s can be converted through a service bulletin.[3] Bombardier was already flight testing its modified FTV5 testbed, which reached a slightly supersonic Mach 1.015 in May 2021; the certification campaign is expected to be completed using a single prototype.[3] With low development costs, it will compete with the new Gulfstream G800.[3] In 2023, its equipped price was $81M.[32] The first prototype made its 7.1h maiden flight during May 2023.[36]

Design

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The 7500/8000 are based on the pictured Global Express

Both are stretched derivatives of the Global 6000 with a new transonic wing.[37] They are powered by the new General Electric Passport 20 16,500 lbf (73 kN) thrust engine with reduced NOx emissions and 8% better fuel efficiency than the Global Express XRS, allowing a Mach 0.90 high-speed cruise.[5] As part of its effort to make the long-range aircraft comfortable for the passengers, Bombardier developed a new ergonomic passenger seat, called the Nuage. The seat design took seven years to complete.[38] Airbus-owned Stelia supplies the main fuselage.[39]

The new, larger and lower-drag wing is optimized for Mach 0.85 with a 35.3° quarter chord wing sweep, a thinner thickness-to-chord ratio, leaner flap track fairings, improved lift-to-drag performance, more efficient winglets and up to 30% better low-speed lift due to double-slotted, inboard Fowler flaps. The new fly-by-wire flight controls with active load alleviation and the flexible, relatively highly loaded wing damps turbulence.[40]

The metal airframe uses aluminium–lithium alloys to save weight.[40] It shares the same fuselage diameter with older Global models, but has thinner frames, which increase the cabin width and height by 1 in (25 mm).[40] Additionally the 300 sq in (19 dm2) cabin windows are 80% larger, the nose cowl is recontoured, and the aft fuselage and empennage are both new designs.[40] The basic inspection intervals are 850 hours or 36 months, with C checks are every 12 years or 8,500 cycles and a limit of 17,000 cycles before life extension through intensive maintenance is required.[40]

Global 7500

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The Global 7500 flight test vehicle at EBACE in 2018

Officially designated as the BD-700-2A12, the design is marketed as the Global 7500. It is stretched by 11 ft 3 in (3.43 m) from the original Global.[37] It is planned to have a four-zone 2,637 cu ft (74.67 m3) cabin, 20% more than the previous. It was originally designed to cover a 7,300 nmi (13,500 km) range at Mach 0.85 with 10 passengers.[5]

Its cabin is one-third longer than competing models, providing a fourth seating section up from three, can sleep eight passengers and offers an optional shower and a sleeping crew rest area. Bombardier marketing focused on ultra-high-net-worth individuals and the Global 7500 is the largest, longest range, roomiest and most luxurious purpose-built business aircraft yet built.[40]

Despite the wing area being smaller than the Gulfstream G650ER and a 11% higher MTOW, it has lower V speeds and better runway performance due to the high-lift system with leading-edge slats and double-slotted flaps for a similar power loading. Hourly fuel flow per engine is 500 lb (230 kg) at idle, 6,240 lb (2,830 kg) at takeoff, 1,280 to 1,370 lb (580 to 620 kg) in cruise at Mach 0.85/484 kn (896 km/h) TAS, 1,730 lb (780 kg) at Mach 0.9/515 kn (954 km/h) TAS and 2,400 lb (1,100 kg) at Mach 0.925/523 kn (969 km/h) TAS, around 75,000 lb (34,000 kg) and ISA conditions. An even longer range variant could reach 1,000 nmi (1,900 km) more with another 8,000 lb (3,600 kg) of fuel.[40]

Global 8000

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The initial, shorter Global 8000 stretches the Global Express by 2 ft 3 in (0.69 m)

The initial BD-700-2A13, marketed as the Global 8000, was to be stretched by 2 ft 3 in (0.69 m) from the Global Express.[37] It was to feature a three-zone 2,236 cu.ft. (63.32 cu.m.) cabin and a range of 7,900 nmi (14,631 km) at Mach 0.85, farther than any other existing business jet.[5]

The Global 7500-derived 8000 can fly 8,000 nmi (14,800 km) and reach a maximum speed of Mach 0.94.[3] The engine control software will be updated and more fuel can be carried through better space and weight utilization.[3]

Operational history

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In March 2019, a Global 7500 set the record for the longest mission ever flown by a purpose-built business jet, with a 8,152 nmi (15,098 km), 16-hour flight from Singapore to Tucson, Arizona; the aircraft landed with fuel reserves for nearly 1.5 hours of additional flight.[41] Gulfstream announced in April 2019 that the G650ER had surpassed this record flying 8,379 nmi (15,518 km), i.e. 225 nmi (417 km) farther over a timespan 44 minutes shorter.[42] On 6 October 2019 Bombardier improved their longest mission with an 8,225 nmi (15,233 km) non-stop flight between Sydney and Detroit, claiming the record for "the longest city-pair flown by a purpose-built business aircraft".[43] The Global 7500 also broke the business jet speed record for a flight from Van Nuys Airport near Los Angeles to Teterboro Airport near New York in under four hours, cruising at Mach 0.925 for much of the flight.[44]

Orders

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While Bombardier is not publishing a specific backlog, industry analyst Rolland Vincent estimated that 200 orders had accumulated by the time of the first flight in November 2016, mostly for the 7500 version.[45] Including the Global 5500/6500, Bombardier expects to deliver 90–100 Globals a year by 2021, up from 40 in 2018, with four 7500 a month, and higher if needed. Luxury charter VistaJet signed a deal to purchase up to 30 units; NetJets, the largest fractional jet provider, will take up to 20 Global 7500s and Hong Kong management firm HK Bellawings Jet has 18 Global 6500/7500s orders and options.[46] The Global 7500 had 100 secured orders as it entered service on 20 December 2018.[2] In October 2019, VistaJet said it plans to launch commercial flights on its first Global 7500 in January 2020. Bombardier considered 2020 a successful year for the Global 7500 as they delivered 35 aircraft to various customers, and on 29 March 2021, the company marked the milestone delivery of the 50th Global 7500.[47]

In November 2022 NetJets was named as the launch customer for the Global 8000. The company paid US$312M in a firm order for four Global 8000s and also converted existing orders for eight Global 7500s to 8000s. NetJets plans to convert its current fleet of Global 7500s to a 24 aircraft fleet of Global 8000s.[48]

Known orders
Date Customer Delivery 7500 8000
21 October 2010 London Air Services[49] TBD 1
14 December 2010 Comlux[50] TBD 2
2 March 2011 NetJets[51] TBD 24
21 June 2011 VistaJet Holding SA[52] TBD 10
21 June 2011 AvWest[53] TBD 4 2
27 November 2012 VistaJet[54] TBD 6
18 June 2013 Undisclosed[55] TBD 12
30 January 2014 Undisclosed[56] TBD 2 3
November 2020 Chamath Palihapitiya[57] TBD 1
December 2023 Rolex TBD 1

Military and government operators

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   Switzerland (1)
  • 1 for the Confederation air transport service (Service de transport aérien de la Confédération, "STAC"), to be delivered by the end of 2024, and to be operated by the Swiss Air Force[58]

Specifications

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Bombardier Global 7500–8000 three views
Model Global 7500[59] Global 8000[60]
Cockpit crew Two
Max. passengers[a] 19
Length 111 ft
(34 m)
Wingspan 104 ft
(32 m)
Height 27 ft
(8.2 m)
Cabin length 54 ft 5 in
(16.59 m)
Cabin section 8 ft (2.4 m) width
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) height
Engines General Electric Passport
Thrust[b] 18,920 lbf (84.2 kN)
MMo Mach 0.925
(611.9 kn; 1,133 km/h)
Mach 0.94
(622 kn; 1,150 km/h)
Cruise Mach 0.85 (562 kn; 1,040 km/h) typical
Mach 0.90 (595 kn; 1,100 km/h) high-speed
Mach 0.85 (562 kn; 1,040 km/h) typical
Mach 0.90 (595 kn; 1,100 km/h) high-speed
Mach 0.92 (609 kn; 1,130 km/h) ultra-high speed
Range[c] 7,700 nmi
(14,300 km)
8,000 nmi
(15,000 km)
Takeoff[d] 5,760 ft
(1,760 m)
Landing[e] 2,237 ft
(682 m)
2,220 ft
(680 m)
Ceiling 51,000 ft (16,000 m)
(Initial cruise: 43,000 ft (13,000 m))
Weights Global 7500[40] Global 8000
MTOW 114,850 lb
(52,100 kg)
BOW 61,700 lb
(28,000 kg)
Fuel capacity 51,503 lb
(23,361 kg)
Max. payload 5,800 lb
(2,600 kg)
Wing loading 91 lb/sq ft
(440 kg/m2)
Wing area 1,254 sq ft
(116.5 m2)

(8.63 AR)

  1. ^ standard
  2. ^ ISA +15°C flat rated
  3. ^ M 0.85, NBAA IFR Reserves, ISA, 8 pax/4 crew
  4. ^ SL, ISA, MTOW
  5. ^ SL, ISA, MLW

See also

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Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

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  1. ^ a b "Bombardier Global 7000 Aircraft Successfully Completes First Flight" (Press release). Bombardier Aviation. November 4, 2016.
  2. ^ a b c Sarsfield, Kate (20 December 2018). "Bombardier Global 7500 enters service". FlightGlobal.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Dominic Perry (23 May 2022). "Bombardier launches ultra-long-range Global 8000 with supersonic test campaign". FlightGlobal.
  4. ^ "Bombardier Prepared for Stable Deliveries of 150+ Jets Per Year". September 6, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "Bombardier Grows Its Flagship Global Family with Two New Jets: the Global 7000 and Global 8000 Aircraft" (Press release). Bombardier Aviation. October 16, 2010.
  6. ^ a b "Transport Canada registers first Global 7000". FlightGlobal. 5 September 2016.
  7. ^ "Weight reduction cited for Global 7000 wing redesign". FlightGlobal. 16 February 2017.
  8. ^ a b Lynch, Kerry (August 8, 2017). "FAA Issues Special Conditions for Global 7000 Alloy". Aviation International News.
  9. ^ Marowits, Ross (October 19, 2010). "Bombardier's new business jet program to cost more than $1B". The Canadian Press.
  10. ^ "Formula 1 Champion Niki Lauda Purchases New Bombardier Global 7000 Aircraft" (Press release). GlobeNewswire. 17 May 2015.
  11. ^ "Bombardier's Global 7000 To Fly Soon". Aviation Week & Space Technology. November 1, 2016.
  12. ^ Trautvetter, Chad (February 16, 2017). "First Global 7000 Logs 100 Hours; FTV2 To Fly Soon". Aviation International News.
  13. ^ "Second Bombardier Global 7000 Flight Test Vehicle Takes to the Skies" (Press release). Bombardier Aviation. March 6, 2017.
  14. ^ "Need for Speed Propels Global 7000 Aircraft to Mach 0.995 in Early Flight Testing" (Press release). Bombardier Aviation. March 29, 2017.
  15. ^ "Bombardier Global 7000 Flight Test Program Ramps Up with Maiden Flight of Third Flight Test Vehicle" (Press release). Bombardier Aviation. May 10, 2017.
  16. ^ Sarsfield, Kate (31 May 2017). "Bombardier and Triumph resolve Global 7000 wing dispute". FlightGlobal.
  17. ^ McMillin, Molly (May 22, 2017). "Bombardier Plays 'Name That Test Aircraft'". Aviation Week & Space Technology.
  18. ^ Lynch, Kerry (June 13, 2017). "Bombardier: New Lighter Wing Won't Delay Global 7000".
  19. ^ Sarsfield, Kate (18 August 2017). "Global 7000 test aircraft suffers in-flight engine flameout". FlightGlobal.
  20. ^ McMillin, Molly; George, Fred (October 10, 2017). "Bombardier Shows Off Global 7000". Aviation Week Network.
  21. ^ Trimble, Stephen (16 April 2018). "Global 7000 claims longest range title for business jets". FlightGlobal.
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  23. ^ Lynch, Kerry (May 28, 2018). "With Longer Legs, Bombardier Flagship Becomes G7500". Aviation International News.
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  26. ^ Trautvetter, Chad (September 7, 2018). "Bombardier: 'Mission Accomplished' for Global 7500 FTV1". Aviation International News.
  27. ^ Lampert, Allison (September 17, 2018). "Bombardier expects Global 7500 jet certification this month: sources". Reuters.
  28. ^ "Global 7500 Aircraft, Industry's Longest Range Business Jet, Awarded Transport Canada Type Certification" (Press release). Bombardier. September 28, 2018.
  29. ^ "Bombardier's Award-winning Global 7500 Business Jet Earns FAA Approval and Continues to Move Towards Entry-into-service this Year" (Press release). Bombardier. November 7, 2018.
  30. ^ Lynch, Kerry (December 7, 2018). "Bombardier Preps For 7500 Delivery 'In Coming Days'". AIN online.
  31. ^ "Bombardier completes acquisition of Global 7500 aircraft wing program" (Press release). Bombardier Aerospace. February 6, 2019.
  32. ^ a b "Purchase planning handbook - Ultra long-range Jets table". Business & Commercial Aircraft. Second Quarter 2023.
  33. ^ "Bombardier Global 7500 sets 50 speed records in 50 weeks". Globalair.com. 2024-08-21. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  34. ^ a b Trautvetter, Chad (January 3, 2018). "Global 7000 On Track, Questions Remain on 8000". AINonline.
  35. ^ George, Fred (May 22, 2014). "Bombardier Sees Strong Start For Global 7000/8000". Aviation Week & Space Technology.
  36. ^ Dominic Perry (24 May 2023). "First Global 8000 prototype flies 7.1h mission on maiden sortie". FlightGlobal.
  37. ^ a b c "Ultra-Long Range Jets About To Enter The Market". Aviation Week & Space Technology. November 2, 2016.
  38. ^ Thurber, Matt (April 30, 2018). "Bombardier: Global 7000 Seats Bring Cloud-like Comfort". AIN Online.
  39. ^ Perry, Dominic (27 February 2019). "Why Global 7500 is key to Bombardier's future". FlightGlobal.
  40. ^ a b c d e f g h George, Fred (March 25, 2019). "Bombardier Global 7500: A Personal Flying Flagship Without Equal". Aviation Week & Space Technology.
  41. ^ "Bombardier Global 7500 Aircraft Completes the World's Longest Range Business Jet Flight in History" (Press release). Bombardier. 4 March 2019.
  42. ^ "Gulfstream G650ER Shatters Speed Record For Farthest Business Jet Flight In History" (Press release). Gulfstream. 8 April 2019.
  43. ^ "Global 7500 breaks business aircraft range record". Flight Global. 9 October 2019.
  44. ^ "Bombardier's Global 7500 Aircraft Breaks Key Speed Record Between Los Angeles and New York" (Press release). Bombardier. 27 March 2019.
  45. ^ Lynch, Kerry (November 4, 2016). "Bombardier's Flagship Global 7000 Takes To The Sky". Aviation International News.
  46. ^ Sarsfield, Kate (2 October 2018). "ANALYSIS: Bombardier ready to seize high ground with Global 7500". FlightGlobal.
  47. ^ "Bombardier Marks 50th Global 7500 Aircraft Delivery Milestone". Bombardier. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
  48. ^ O'Connor, Kate (2 December 2022). "Bombardier Names Launch Customer For Global 8000". AVweb. Archived from the original on 2 December 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  49. ^ "London Air Services signs order for Global 7000". 2010-10-21.
  50. ^ "Comlux orders two Global 7000s". 2010-12-14.
  51. ^ Wong, Craig (2011-03-02). "Bombardier lands largest aircraft order ever". The Toronto Star. Archived from the original on 2012-09-19.
  52. ^ "VistaJet orders ten Global 8000 business jets". 2011-06-21.
  53. ^ "AVWest orders six Global business jets". 2011-06-21.
  54. ^ "VistaJet enters history books with Bombardier aircraft order". FlightGlobal. 2012-11-28.
  55. ^ "Bombardier Secures Orders for 12 Global 8000 Business Jets at the Paris Airshow" (Press release). 2013-06-18.
  56. ^ "Bombardier Secures Order for Eight Global Business Jets". 2014-01-31.
  57. ^ "The SPAC King Is Doing Just Fine Even as the Bubble Starts to Burst". Bloomberg News. 2024-09-26.
  58. ^ "Le Global 7500 sera livré à la Confédération en décembre !". Avia news (in French). 2024-10-09. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  59. ^ "Global 7500 Specifications". Bombardier Aviation. 2024.
  60. ^ "Global 8000 Specifications". Bombardier Aviation. 2024.
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