Bombardier Launches Learjet NXT Midsize Bizjet

posted: 30 October 2007 03:06 pm ET

: While the design of Bombardier's newly launched Learjet NXT remains to be finalized, this artist's rendering published by Bombardier indicates that the midsize business jet will reflect its Learjet lineage strongly. However, the aircraft will be larger inside than its predecessors, offering stand-up cabin height and room to seat eight passengers comfortably. Bombardier says it will continue to produce the Learjet 60 XR, its existing and slightly smaller midsize business jet, after the Learjet NXT makes its debut. Credit: Bombardier Aerospace
: While this is purely a provisional proposal for the floorplan of the Learjet NXT, the drawing clearly shows that Bombardier intends its new midsize business jet to offer ample room for eight passengers. Credit: Bombardier Aerospace

Bombardier Aerospace has decided to launch production of an all-new Learjet business jet, provisionally to be named the Learjet NXT.

The new jet will fit into Bombardier's extensive business-jet product line between the midsize Learjet 60XR and the super-midsize Challenger 300, said Danielle Boudreau, a spokeswoman for Bombardier Business Aircraft.

Bombardier will continue to produce the other two models in addition to the Learjet NXT. Boudreau said the Learjet NXT fills an additional, new niche that Bombardier has identified and for which no formal classification exists, so for now the company has decided to describe the Learjet NXT as a midsize jet.

Before announcing the launch of the Learjet NXT program publicly, Bombardier confidentially approached a number of potential customers and obtained letters of intent for more than 65 aircraft. The letters of intent were secured with paid deposits, said Boudreau.

Bombardier is starting with a clean sheet in designing the Learjet NXT. It is planning for the aircraft to have a high-speed cruise of Mach 0.82 and to offer a transcontinental range of up to 3,000 nautical miles (5,556 kilometers) with a full load of passengers.

Other design imperatives are for the aircraft to carry eight passengers and to provide a larger, more comfortable cabin than any existing midsize aircraft. The Learjet NXT's cabin will offer stand-up height, Bombardier said.

"The design is customer-driven, based on what they have told us they need and want in a new midsize category business jet,” said Pierre Gabriel Côté, president of Bombardier Business Aircraft.

Various leading aerospace manufacturers throughout the world will be selected to be suppliers to the Learjet NXT program. However, Bombardier is still reviewing the list of possible suppliers for portions of the aircraft's primary structure – including possible manufacturers for its engines – and will announce its vendor selections in 2008, said Boudreau.

“Development of this all-new jet with a group of international collaborators continues to progress well, and we are on target for a public unveiling of the next Learjet business jet in October 2008, in time to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the first flight of a Learjet aircraft,” said Pierre Beaudoin, president and chief operating officer of Bombardier Aerospace.

The public unveiling will be a full-size mockup of the Learjet NXT's cabin, not the rollout of the aircraft itself. "For competitive reasons, we are not announcing [planned] program milestones at this time," said Boudreau.

Most of the planning and production activities for the Learjet NXT will be based at the Learjet plant at Wichita, Kan., said Boudreau. The engineering and program office will be in Wichita, as will flight testing, final assembly, interior completion, aircraft delivery, and the Learjet NXT contracts and sales offices.