WICHITA, Kan., Aug. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- The first flight of a Bombardier
Global Express(R) in ASTOR (Airborne Stand-Off Radar) configuration took place
on Friday, 3rd August, at Bombardier's Flight Test Center (BFTC) in Wichita,
Kansas.
    ASTOR is the UK Ministry of Defence's new, highly sophisticated, long
range airborne surveillance system which will be carried on board Bombardier
Global Express aircraft. It is scheduled to enter service in 2005.
    The development aircraft took off from Wichita's Mid-Continent Airport at
9:05 AM and flew for 3 hours and 18 minutes, conducting a series of tests at
altitudes up to  25,000 feet (7,620 m) and speeds up to 250 knots (288 mph,
463 km/h.).  It was crewed by Bombardier Flight Test Center pilot Mark
Schlegel, co-pilot Pete Reynolds and flight test engineer Scott Runyan.
    "The flight went exactly as planned," said Schlegel.  "In the center of
the aircraft's performance envelope, where we were operating, it handled like
a normally-configured Global Express and we were able to complete the entire
test program very efficiently," Schlegel said.
    Bill Chrispin, the MoD's ASTOR Integrated Project Team (IPT) Leader, said:
"This is great news for all involved in the ASTOR programme.  The trials work
now started using Bombardier's ASTOR-configured aircraft will provide vital
evidence in support of Raytheon's aircraft qualification programme."
    Peter McKee, Managing Director of Raytheon Systems Limited, said "The
Bombardier Global Express aircraft, with its exceptional characteristics
including long range, high altitude capability and large cabin, makes a superb
platform for special mission applications such as ASTOR. This is a significant
step in the ASTOR programme and will prove the aerodynamic configuration of
this much-modified aircraft."
    James Aspell, Director, Missionized Aircraft Projects, Bombardier
Aerospace, Business Aircraft, added that, "the first flight of the ASTOR-
configured Bombardier Global Express represents yet another success for
Bombardier Aerospace in the area of special mission aircraft. Our broad line
of aircraft are increasingly being recognised as ideal platforms for special
mission applications and we are delivering on our commitments to customers."
    Dr Richard Anderson, Raytheon's VP of Air Ground Surveillance Systems,
commented, "The maiden flight of the aerodynamic validation aircraft is a
critical milestone for Raytheon and the ASTOR programme.  This flight of over
three hours proved the engineering design efforts that had led to this
momentous event."
    Aircraft 9001 is the Bombardier Global Express development aircraft that
has now been fitted with the various external shapes and other aerodynamic
modifications that will be installed on the production ASTOR aircraft. The
trials are intended to validate the aerodynamic assumptions of the ASTOR-
configured Bombardier Global Express. The aerodynamic modifications include a
canoe-shaped fairing under the forward fuselage, which will house the dual-
mode radar antenna, a radome on the upper fuselage to house the Satcom
antenna, a "bullet-fairing extension" on the vertical stabiliser and delta
fins under the aft fuselage. The flight trials will continue into second
quarter 2002.
    The first production aircraft is scheduled to be delivered to Raytheon's
Greenville, Texas, facility in 2002, where the airframe modifications and
systems integration will be carried out. Subsequent aircraft will be modified
and equipped by Raytheon Systems Limited in the UK.
    When it enters service in 2005, the UK's Ministry of Defence ASTOR system
will be the most advanced of its type in the world. The complete system will
include five Bombardier Global Express aircraft, each equipped with dual-mode
(SAR/MTI) radar and operator workstations where the mission management and
imagery can be exploited and then transmitted to ground stations by datalink.
The system operates in near real time to give battlefield commanders rapid
access to highly accurate information on what is happening in their area of
interest.
    Raytheon Systems Limited is the UK-based subsidiary of Raytheon Company
and services both defence and commercial markets. It is a Tier One supplier to
the Ministry of Defence and has indigenous design and manufacturing
facilities.
    With headquarters in Lexington, Massachusetts, Raytheon Company is a
global technology leader in defence, government, and commercial electronics,
and business and special mission aircraft.
    Bombardier Aerospace, a unit of Bombardier Inc., is a world leader in the
design, and manufacture of innovative aviation products and services for the
regional, business and amphibious aircraft markets. It also offers Bombardier
Flexjet(R) fractional ownership, aircraft charter and management, technical
services, aircraft maintenance and pilot training for business, regional
airline and military customers.
    Bombardier Inc., a diversified manufacturing and service company, is a
world leading manufacturer of business jets, regional aircraft, rail
transportation equipment and motorized recreational products.  It is also a
provider of financial services and asset management. The Corporation employs
79,000 people in 24 countries in the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific.
Bombardier's revenues for its fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2001 totalled $16.1
billion and more than 90% were generated outside Canada.

    (R)Registered Trademarks of Bombardier Inc.

    Note to editors: Photos of the ASTOR-configured Global Express available
at the following sites:

    http://aero.bombardier.com/htmen/F15.htm
    http://www.aero.bombardier.com

    Notes for editors

    Key elements of the Raytheon ASTOR system include:

    * Sophisticated dual mode imaging and moving target indicator radar
      (Synthetic Aperture Radar/Moving Target Indication (SAR/MTI)), installed
      on five, specially converted, Global Express(TM) aircraft.  In times of
      crisis the radar can identify friendly and hostile forces - their
      number, quantity, direction and speed.  In peacetime ASTOR has an
      important role to play in peacekeeping/peacemaking, monitoring and
      managing of relief and help during natural or man-made disasters,
      controlling smuggling and other border violations, etc.

    * The radar can operate in either high resolution spot or wide-area swath
      modes.  The processing equipment develops the data into visual images
      which can be exploited by the airborne mission crew.  By operating at
      altitudes of up to 50,000 ft, ASTOR will have superior "look-down"
      capability and the ability to stand-off at long range.  The aircraft's
      11 hour unrefuelled flight duration capability also gives the system
      considerable operational flexibility.

    * The information is transferred from the aircraft via data links to ASTOR
      Ground Stations which are equipped with similar image exploitation
      equipment.  Two types of ground station are utilised for ASTOR - a
      mobile Tactical Ground Station and a transportable Higher Common Level
      Ground Station.

    * Data can be transmitted to other areas via SATCOM and ground networks.
      ASTOR will be interoperable with allies' systems including US and NATO.
      Where required, the airborne segment can operate independently of the
      Ground Stations, disseminating data via its communications systems.

    * Raytheon's ASTOR programme includes full in-service support and crew
      training.

     For information contact:
     Mike Brown
     Raytheon Systems Limited
     +44 (0)20 7569 5517
     mike.brown@raytheon.co.uk

     Nathalie Bloomfield
     Bombardier Aerospace
     +1 (514) 855-7326
     nathalie.bloomfield@notes.canadair.ca

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