Fleet of four modified Bombardier Global business jets reaches 100,000-flight-hour milestone in service with U.S. Air Force

  • Specially configured Global aircraft are the backbone of the U.S. Air Force Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) program
  • All four aircraft were developed and modified by the Bombardier Specialized Aircraft team in Wichita, Kansas
  • Bombardier Global business jets, with their long range, wide cabins and outstanding reliability, are the ideal vehicle for elite special missions
  • Bombardier develops and delivers a range of capabilities to operators around the world for missions including surveillance, medical evacuations and VIP transport

Bombardier’s Global aircraft platform, renowned in the business aviation industry for range, spaciousness and a smooth ride, has achieved a significant in-service milestone with the U.S. Air Force in special-mission configuration.

A fleet of four modified Global aircraft has collectively flown an impressive 100,000 hours since entering service. These aircraft are an integral part of the Air Force’s Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) program, an airborne communications relay that extends communication ranges, bridges between radio frequencies and “translates” among incompatible communications systems.

Over the course of their mission, BACN aircraft have regularly flown over 18 hours a day for months at a time, demonstrating the excellent dispatch reliability of the Global platform.

 “We are extremely proud of the outstanding reliability and performance of the Global aircraft platform as part of this elite assignment,” said Steve Patrick, Vice President, Bombardier Specialized Aircraft. “This 100,000-flight-hour milestone is a testament to the aircrafts’ performance and endurance, clearly demonstrating that the Global platform excels in demanding situations.”

Starting with one Global Express aircraft in 2007, the BACN fleet today also includes two Global Express XRS variants and one Global 6000 aircraft. The four jets are known in the Air Force as the E-11A.

Bombardier’s Specialized Aircraft team, based in Wichita, Kansas, carried out the modifications of all four jets, and the team continues to provide in-service support and upgrades to the aircraft.

Bombardier has a varied portfolio of business jets that can be readily modified for special missions, and its signature smooth ride can minimize crew fatigue and extend the life of mission equipment. Global aircraft are ideal for critical government missions because of their speed, agility, endurance and low operating costs compared to other aircraft in their class.

The Global 6000 aircraft, with an outstanding range of 6,000 nautical miles*, is recognized for its ability to fly intercontinental ranges without refueling stops, and also for its excellent dispatch reliability. The aircraft also has the most available electrical power in its category for peace of mind on long missions, while the Bombardier Vision flight deck offers a head-up display with enhanced and synthetic vision. 

About Bombardier Specialized Aircraft
Bombardier Specialized Aircraft designs, develops and delivers a range of capabilities to operators around the world, with more than 500 specialized aircraft in service. Bombardier’s diverse fleet, which includes the Learjet, Challenger and Global business aircraft platforms, represents the ideal solution for government missions, from surveillance and reconnaissance to medical evacuations or VIP transport.  Solutions range from turnkey packages comprising the complete design, building, testing and certification activity, through to specialist engineering support and technical oversight of customer-specific projects.

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*Under certain operating conditions.
Bombardier, Bombardier Vision, Global, Global Express, Global 6000 and XRS are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.