The first Bombardier Global 5000 for the German air force has been handed over to the service's Special Air Mission Wing for use as a VIP and medical evacuation transport, following a three-week trial.
In August, the Rolls-Royce BR710A2-20-powered twinjet was delivered to German Operating Aircraft Leasing, a joint venture between maintenance company Lufthansa Technik and Munich-based asset finance company KG Allgemeine Leasing.
Since then, it has undergone a documentation and testing programme by the German armed forces test and evaluation centre in Manching, near Munich.
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© Luftwaffe |
The aircraft was handed over to the Luftwaffe's Cologne-based Special Air Mission Wing on 22 September.
Three other Global 5000s are to follow before the end of the year to replace a fleet of six ageing Challenger 601 jets.
Among the non-standard equipment, Bombardier installed a secure satellite communications system, an identification friend-or-foe unit plus a separate power supply and additional oxygen for medical evacuation sorties.
The aircraft, which has a range of about 4,850nm (9,000km), has seating for 13 passengers in VIP accommodation. Its cabin is largely furnished with Bombardier's standard trim for the type and allows access for disabled passengers, the Luftwaffe said.
Germany's current finance minister, Wolfgang Schäuble, uses a wheelchair as he was paralysed in an assassination attempt in 1990.
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© Markus Schulze/Luftwaffe |
Technical support will be provided by Lufthansa Bombardier Aviation Services, a joint venture between the manufacturer and maintenance provider and ExecuJet at Schönefeld/Berlin Brandenburg international airport, as well as Rolls-Royce.
The 10-year maintenance, repair and overhaul agreement includes spare parts supply, as well as the preparation and maintenance of aeronautical and technical documentation.
Source: Flight International
