Aerospace company Bombardier has presented its new sustainably designed Challenger 3500 mid-size business jet. The latest evolution of Bombardier’s hugely successful Challenger platform was unveiled last week in Montreal, Canada, in a worldwide virtual launch.
The next-generation Challenger 3500 aircraft, the evolution of the Challenger 350 aircraft, features the most technologically advanced cabin in its class and introduces productivity-enhancing features such as the industry’s first voice-controlled cabin and the revolutionary Nuage seat.
The Nuage seat delivers class-defining comfort – including the industry’s first zero-gravity position – for life above the clouds. The seating feature a tilt-link system, a floating base, and a tilting headrest for full ergonomic support.
The newly designed cabin can carry up to 10 passengers in standard configuration. According to the company, this new business jet will provide a reduced cabin altitude of 4,850 ft at 41,000 ft, representing a 31% improvement compared to its predecessor.
Additionally, the Challenger 3500 aircraft comes with several innovative technological features, such as the industry’s first voice-controlled cabin to manage lighting, temperature, and entertainment systems, the first wireless chargers throughout the cabin, and the only 24-inch, 4K display in its class.
In the cockpit, Bombardier introduces a standard-equipped auto-throttle system to the Challenger 3500 flight deck, which offers the most baseline features in its class. Other key features include an advanced avionics suite with four large displays, a Dual Flight Management System with Localizer Performance with Vertical guidance (LPV) and Required Navigation Performance (RNP) approach capabilities, a Synthetic Vision System (SVS), MultiScan weather radar, a Dual Inertial Reference System (IRS), Dual SBAS/WAAS GPS navigation system, and an optional Head-up Display (HUD) with Enhanced Vision System(EVS).
The Challenger 3500 has the same dimensions as the 350, with a wingspan of 69 feet (21 m) and a length of over 68 feet (20 m). It also features the same pair of Honeywell HTF7350 turbofans that offer 7,323 lb of thrust. The aircraft climbs quickly and directly to 43,000 ft (13,106 m), has a cruising speed of Mach 0.83, and an impressive range of 3,400 nm (6,300 km).
“We are thrilled to launch a business jet that features all the best-selling elements of the Challenger platform – an impressive performance, consistent reliability, exceptional smooth ride – while elevating the cabin experience for our customers,” said Éric Martel, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Bombardier. “Building on the success of the unrivaled Global 7500 business jet cabin, the Challenger 3500 aircraft prioritizes what our customers value most: a truly exceptional cabin experience.”
The Challenger 3500 is expected to enter service in the second half of 2022. With the Challenger 3500 priced at $26.7 million, the same price as the 350, CEO Éric Martel said during a virtual press conference that the upgraded interior would help maintain the aircraft’s position as a market leader.
