Bombardier is eyeing uncrewed possibilities, potentially in the military market, as it explores technologies it could derive from its EcoJet blended-wing project, according to company president and CEO Éric Martel. In the shorter term, though, the Montreal-based company remains on track for entry into service of the Global 8000 this year as it nears completion of the first production model, Martel told analysts and reporters as the company released its first-quarter results this morning.
In the works for nearly 17 years, Bombardier’s EcoJet sustainability and technology research initiative in 2022 entered its second development phase with flight-testing of an 18-foot-wide, blended-wing prototype. Martel noted that “strategic discussions are happening at Bombardier and still continue” on the future of the program and its technologies.
However, he added, given Bombardier’s vertical integration of its defense business, “the discussion of unmanned airplane is on the table, and we’re looking into that. There’s technology that we said we were going to invest in our products.”
Bombardier is weighing the appetite of different governments for such a product. “But clearly, there are quite a few possibilities. The EcoJet will be quite a capable product, so this is definitely one thing we're looking into.”
With the way the world is evolving, there are numerous reasons that the concept of uncrewed operations is becoming popular, he explained, pointing to a shortage of pilots as one such driver. Another, particularly on the military side, he said, is a desire to reduce the risk to people’s lives in the field.
“That’s why we foresee that there could be interest in the technology to consider here. So, maybe the first application could be in the defense world as there’s less restriction in terms of certifying versus commercial.”
He noted that the program is one of continuous improvement, and Bombardier is maturing the technology on the demonstrator. “And there are things we will be able to put on our actual products or potential future products we will be developing.”
He did not have a timeline yet on when some of this may be in the market.
As for the Global 8000, Martel said the Mach 0.94, 8,000-nm successor to the Mach 0.925, 7,700-nm Global 7500 remains on track for delivery in the fourth quarter, pending required approvals.
Assembly of the first production Global 8000 began in the October timeframe, he said, adding, “The assembly is running very smoothly right now. We’re about to complete the final aircraft assembly.” Having “basically completed flying,” the company is more in the finalization of the documentation stage to ensure it is in line with certification requirements.
“Excitement for this plane is really building,” he said, adding that the platform is selling well. In addition, Bombardier is seeing strong interest in the upgrade package that enables in-service Global 7500s to meet the performance of the Global 8000. That package is anticipated to be available early next year.
Bombardier is eyeing uncrewed possibilities, potentially in the military market, as it explores technologies it could derive from its EcoJet blended-wing project, according to company president and CEO Éric Martel. In the shorter term, though, the Montreal-based company remains on track for entry into service of the Global 8000 this year as it nears completion of the first production model, Martel told analysts and reporters as the company released its first-quarter results.
In the works for nearly 17 years, Bombardier’s EcoJet sustainability and technology research initiative in 2022 entered its second development phase with flight-testing of an 18-foot-wide, blended-wing prototype. Martel noted that “strategic discussions are happening at Bombardier and still continue” on the future of the program and its technologies.
However, he added, given Bombardier’s vertical integration of its defense business, “the discussion of unmanned airplane is on the table, and we’re looking into that.”
Bombardier is weighing the appetite of different governments for such a product. “But clearly, there are quite a few possibilities. The EcoJet will be quite a capable product, so this is definitely one thing we're looking into.”
With the way the world is evolving, there are numerous reasons that the concept of uncrewed operations is becoming popular, he explained, pointing to a shortage of pilots and a desire to reduce the risk to people’s lives on the battlefield.
“That’s why we foresee that there could be interest in the technology. So, maybe the first application could be in the defense world as there’s less restriction in terms of certifying versus commercial.”
He noted that the program is one of continuous improvement, and Bombardier is maturing the technology on the demonstrator. “There are things we will be able to put on our actual products or potential future products we will be developing.”
He did not have a timeline yet on when some of this may be in the market.
As for the Global 8000, Martel said the Mach 0.94, 8,000-nm successor to the Mach 0.925, 7,700-nm Global 7500 remains on track for delivery in the fourth quarter, pending required approvals.
Assembly of the first production Global 8000 began in the October timeframe, he said, adding, “The assembly is running very smoothly right now. We’re about to complete the final aircraft assembly.” Having “basically completed flying,” the company is more in the finalization of the documentation stage to ensure it is in line with certification requirements.
“Excitement for this plane is really building,” he said, adding that the platform is selling well. In addition, Bombardier is seeing strong interest in the upgrade package that enables in-service Global 7500s to meet the performance of the Global 8000. That package is anticipated to be available early next year.