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Bombardier successfully completes initial flight testing phase on the EcoJet research project

Bombardier’s EcoJet research project aims to develop and mature technologies to support a sustainable future for business aviation.

GENEVA — Bombardier presented the progress made on its EcoJet research project, a research platform that aims to develop technologies with the goal of reducing aircraft emissions through a combination of advanced aerodynamics and propulsion enhancements.

After several years of research, the organization successfully completed its first phase of testing with a small-scale model of a blended-wing-body aircraft, representing approximately 7 per cent of a large business jet. Bombardier is now building on the knowledge acquired to engage in a second phase of testing with a model twice as large, and which completed its first flight last year to pave the way for this next test campaign.

“Bombardier has taken a leadership position in the industry’s efforts to reduce its environmental footprint, and the EcoJet research project is paramount to developing the technologies that will bring us toward the goal of net zero emissions by 2050,” said Stephen McCullough, Senior Vice-President of Engineering and Product Development. “We are very pleased to see the highly engaging results yielded so far and to continue our trailblazing work as we kick off the next phase of this game-changing research project. The EcoJet research project has garnered a high level of interest across the industry, and we are looking forward to mobilizing partners as we continue to define the future of business aviation.”

Bombardier’s team noted positive results during the design optimization loops and initial flight test campaign. Those include the deployment of a next-generation Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) platform, the confirmation of a sixth-generation transonic wing modeling capability, and the demonstration of a new aircraft control architecture.

This research and technology project aims to reduce aircraft emissions by up to 50 per cent through a combination of aerodynamic and propulsion enhancements. Renowned for its leading expertise and ingenuity, Bombardier created the EcoJet research project to develop and mature powerful technologies to leverage in future projects, as part of its firm commitment to a sustainable future for business aviation.