Learjet to supply Bombardier Global 6000 E-11A aircraft to US Air Force.

Learjet Inc., Wichita, Kansas, has been awarded a $464,851,645 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) Bombardier Global 6000 aircraft (designated E-11A). This contract provides for the purchase of up to six Bombardier Global 6000 aircraft and completion work. Work will be performed in Wichita, Kansas, and is expected to be completed in May 2026.

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Bombardier E-11A BACN (Picture source: Bombardier)

Fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement funds in the amount $70,000,000 are being obligated with the initial delivery order, FA8726-21-F-0073, at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity.

The Bombardier Global Express is a large cabin, 6,000 nmi / 11,100 km range business jet designed and manufactured by Bombardier Aviation (formerly Bombardier Aerospace). Announced in October 1991, it first flew on 13 October 1996, received its Canadian type certification on 31 July 1998 and entered service in July 1999. Initially powered by two BMW/Rolls-Royce BR710s, it shares its fuselage cross section with the Canadair Regional Jet and Challenger 600 with a new wing and tail. The shorter range Global 5000 is slightly smaller and the Global 6000 is updated and has been modified for military missions. The longer range Global 5500/6500 are powered by new Rolls-Royce Pearl engines with lower fuel burn and were unveiled in May 2018. The larger and stretched Global 7500/8000 have longer ranges.

Production of the third-generation Global 6000 started in 2012. Its flexible wing and 97.5 lb/sq ft (476 kg/m2) wing loading, the highest among its competitors, gives a comfortable ride in turbulence. On long trips, its fuel burn during the first hour is 5,000 and 4,000 lb (2.3 and 1.8 t) for the second, then for the third 3,000 and 2,500 lb (1.4 and 1.1 t) afterwards. A Checks are scheduled every 750 hours, and for C Checks every 30 months, while engine reserves amount to $260 per hour. Over 315 were delivered by March 2019, while its competitors include the more fuel-efficient 6,200 nmi (11,500 km) Dassault Falcon 8X, the 6,500 nmi (12,000 km) Gulfstream G600 or even the 6,900 nmi (12,800 km) G650.

Bombardier's Vision flight deck is upgraded with Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics from the Express/XRS Honeywell Primus 2000. It has improved acoustical insulation compared to its predecessor. By 2018, competition from the Gulfstream G650ER pressured it to a $40 million value from $62 million in 2016. It offers higher cruise speed, improved cabin layout and lighting.[citation needed] The range is increased by adding a 1,486 lb (674 kg) fuel tank at the wing root.