Bombardier Planning G650 Competitor?

November 17, 2009
Aircraft

Although a spokeswoman confirmed last week that Bombardier has no imminent plans to announce a larger jet to compete with Gulfstream’s G650, CEO Pierre Beaudoin recently indicated that the company might launch a model to compete with the G650, but he did not indicate a timescale. Some believe it could be as soon as the first quarter of next year.

Speaking to reporters at a recent briefing at Bombardier headquarters in Montreal, Beaudoin said that the company would definitely position itself to compete with Gulfstream. At the Dubai Air Show this week, Khader Mattar, Bombardier regional v-p of sales for the Middle East and Africa, told AIN, “It is not a brilliant time for new orders, but Bombardier is committed to investing in its aircraft.

A comparison between the Global XRS and Gulfstream G650 shows why Bombardier might be motivated. The XRS, which entered service in 2006, has a maximum range of 6,150 nm with eight passengers and four crew at Mach 0.85.

The G650, due to enter service in 2012, will fly 7,000 nm at Mach 0.85 with the same number of passengers and crew and be capable of flying at a maximum operating Mach number of 0.925.

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