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Aviation History
1998
1998 - 1842.PDF
AIR TRANSPORT New products will continue to fuel the growth achieved by Bombardier in both the business and regional markets GRAHAM WARWICK/WASHINGTON DC BOMBARDIER AEROSPACE faces key product development decisions over the next two years as several projects compete for its engineering and financial resources. Since 1991, the Canadian company has set itself the ambitious goal of introducing one new air craft every year. "We are still on that path," says president Robert Brown. Although new products have been the driver behind Bombardier's rapid growth, some of its programmes are still several years away from providing significant returns. The company finds itself, therefore, working to sustain the engineering and flight test capability it has built up while trying to contain the demands on its financial resources. At the same time, the leading presence Bombardier has established in the business and regional aircraft markets threatens to generate near-simultaneous requirements for new prod ucts in both sectors, making the management of its engineering and financial resources even more challenging. Since 1991, Bombardier has certificated seven new or derivative aircraft- die latest being the Learjet45 "superlight" business jet, deliver ies of which began in June. A further three air craft are in development: • Global Express - certification of the ultra- long-range business jet is imminent, with deliv eries of completed aircraft to begin byyear-end; • Dash 8-400 - certification of the 70-seat regional turboprop is scheduled for March next year, with deliveries beginning by mid-1999; • CRJ-700 - certification of the stretched, 70- seat derivative of the Canadair Regional Jet is scheduled for late 2000, with deliveries begin ning early in 2001. Bombardier almost doubled its sales over the past five years, with 70% of its growth coming from new products, and Brown expects to dou ble sales again in the next four to five years ".. .without new products or acquisitions". The company will take a big step towards that goal this financial year with first deliveries of the Learjet45 and Global Express and record production rates on the 50-seat CRJ and the Challenger 604 business jet. "There will be double-digit aircraft delivery growth this year," says Brown. The Canadian manufacturer continues to look ahead, however, and is considering new products for delivery beginning early in the new century, including: • New Midsize Business Jet (NMBJ) - Bombardier hopes to launch development of a replacement for the Learjet 60 by year end, leading to certification and first deliveries early in 2002; • "Challenger 605" - depending on where the NMBJ fits into its product range, the company 40 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 8 - 14 July 1998
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