Bombardier Global Express in ASTOR configuration makes first flight

Wichita, KS, August 07, 2001 - The first flight of a Bombardier Global Express in ASTOR (Airborne Stand-Off Radar) configuration took place on Friday, 3rd August, at Bombardier's Flight Test Center (BFTC) in Wichita, Kansas.

ASTOR is the UK Ministry of Defence's new, highly sophisticated, long range airborne surveillance system which will be carried on board Bombardier Global Express aircraft. It is scheduled to enter service in 2005.

The development aircraft took off from Wichita's Mid-Continent Airport at 9:05 AM and flew for 3 hours and 18 minutes, conducting a series of tests at altitudes up to 25,000 feet (7,620 m) and speeds up to 250 knots (288 mph, 463 km/h.). It was crewed by Bombardier Flight Test Center pilot Mark Schlegel, co-pilot Pete Reynolds and flight test engineer Scott Runyan.

"The flight went exactly as planned," said Schlegel. "In the center of the aircraft's performance envelope, where we were operating, it handled like a normally-configured Global Express and we were able to complete the entire test card very efficiently," Schlegel said.

Bill Chrispin, the MoD's ASTOR Integrated Project Team (IPT) Leader, said: "This is great news for all involved in the ASTOR programme. The trials now underway using Bombardier's ASTOR-configured aircraft will provide vital evidence in support of Raytheon's aircraft qualification programme."

Peter McKee, Managing Director of Raytheon Systems Limited, said "The Bombardier Global Express aircraft, with its exceptional characteristics including long range, high altitude capability and large cabin, makes a superb platform for special mission applications such as ASTOR. This is a significant step in the ASTOR programme and will prove the aerodynamic configuration of this much-modified aircraft."

James Aspell, Director, Missionized Aircraft Projects, Bombardier Aerospace, Business Aircraft, added that, "the first flight of the ASTOR-configured Bombardier Global Express represents yet another success for Bombardier Aerospace in the area of special mission aircraft. Our broad line of aircraft are increasingly being recognised as ideal platforms for special mission applications and we are delivering on our commitments to customers."

Dr Richard Anderson, Raytheon's VP of Air Ground Surveillance Systems, commented, "The maiden flight of the aerodynamic validation aircraft is a critical milestone for Raytheon and the ASTOR programme. This flight of over three hours proved the engineering design efforts that had led to this momentous event."

Aircraft 9001 is the Bombardier Global Express development aircraft that has now been fitted with the various external shapes and other aerodynamic modifications that will be installed on the production ASTOR aircraft. The trials are intended to validate the aerodynamic assumptions of the ASTOR-configured Bombardier Global Express. The aerodynamic modifications include a canoe-shaped radome under the forward fuselage, which will house the dual-mode radar antenna, a radome on the upper fuselage to house the Satcom antenna, a "bullet-fairing extension" on the vertical stabiliser and delta fins under the aft fuselage. The flight trials will continue into second quarter 2002.

The first production aircraft is scheduled to be delivered to Raytheon's Greenville, Texas, facility in 2002, where the airframe modifications and systems integration will be carried out. Subsequent aircraft will be modified and equipped by Raytheon Systems Limited in the UK.

When it enters service in 2005, the UK's Ministry of Defence ASTOR system will be the most advanced of its type in the world. The complete system will include five Bombardier Global Express aircraft, each equipped with dual-mode (SAR/MTI) radar and operator workstations where the mission management and imagery can be exploited and then transmitted to ground stations by datalink. The system operates in near real time to give battlefield commanders rapid access to highly accurate information on what is happening in their area of interest.

Raytheon Systems Limited is the UK-based subsidiary of Raytheon Company and services both defence and commercial markets. It is a Tier One supplier to the Ministry of Defence and has indigenous design and manufacturing facilities.

With headquarters in Lexington, Massachusetts, Raytheon Company is a global technology leader in defence, government, and commercial electronics, and business and special mission aircraft.

Bombardier Aerospace, a unit of Bombardier Inc., is a world leader in the design, and manufacture of innovative aviation products and services for the regional, business and amphibious aircraft markets. It also offers Bombardier Flexjet fractional ownership, aircraft charter and management, technical services, aircraft maintenance and pilot training for business, regional airline and military customers.

Bombardier Inc., a diversified manufacturing and service company, is a world leading manufacturer of business jets, regional aircraft, rail transportation equipment and motorized recreational products. It is also a provider of financial services and asset management. The Corporation employs 79,000 people in 24 countries in the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific.

Bombardier's revenues for its fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2001 totalled $16.1 billion and more than 90% were generated outside Canada.

Notes for editors:

Key elements of the Raytheon ASTOR system include: Sophisticated dual mode imaging and moving target indicator radar (Synthetic Aperture Radar/Moving Target Indication (SAR/MTI)), installed on five, specially converted, Global Express aircraft. In times of crisis the radar can identify friendly and hostile forces - their number, quantity, direction and speed. In peacetime ASTOR has an important role to play in peacekeeping/peacemaking, monitoring and managing of relief and help during natural or man-made disasters, controlling smuggling and other border violations, etc.

The radar can operate in either high resolution spot or wide-area swath modes. The processing equipment develops the data into visual images which can be exploited by the airborne mission crew. By operating at altitudes of up to 50,000 ft, ASTOR will have superior "look-down" capability and the ability to stand-off at long range. The aircraft's 11 hour unrefuelled flight duration capability also gives the system considerable operational flexibility.

The information is transferred from the aircraft via data links to ASTOR Ground Stations which are equipped with similar image exploitation equipment. Two types of ground station are utilised for ASTOR - a mobile Tactical Ground Station and a transportable Higher Common Level Ground Station.

Data can be transmitted to other areas via SATCOM and ground networks. ASTOR will be interoperable with allies' systems including US and NATO. Where required, the airborne segment can operate independently of the Ground Stations, disseminating data via its communications systems.

Raytheon's ASTOR programme includes full in-service support and crew training.