Bombardier began shakedown flights January 16 of the first Global Express XRS, a longer-range successor to the Global Express. The first flight lasted slightly more than four hours.

Deliveries of the 6,150-nm-range twin-engine business jet (already approved under the same type certificate as its predecessor) are expected to begin in the first quarter of next year.

Additional fuel capacity will permit the XRS to fly 6,150 nm nonstop at Mach 0.85 and 5,450 nm at Mach 0.87. Software upgrades to the fuel computer, along with some structural adjustments, will allow the XRS to take on a full load of fuel 15 minutes more quickly than an original Global Express, according to Bombardier.

A new zero-flaps takeoff capability will provide improved performance from hot and high runways, even when the airplane has a greater fuel load. The zero-degree flap setting will extend the takeoff ground roll but allows the aircraft to maintain the second-segment climb gradient at higher weights.

The XRS also includes an enhanced vision system–expected to be certified soon–as standard equipment. The heart of the system is a CMC Electronics sensor integrated with a Thales head-up display.

Better pressurization, improved internal lighting and more usable cabin space, including up to 15 cu ft of additional storage volume, round out the enhancements of the XRS over the original Global Express.

Bombardier would not comment on the XRS order book, but if deliveries match last year’s figure for its predecessor, expect more than 25 XRSs to leave the factory floor in Canada next year.