Bombardier Aerospace has successfully completed an aerodynamic validation flight test programme for the UK's Ministry of Defence ASTOR (Airborne Stand-Off Radar) system.

ASTOR is a sophisticated, long-range airborne ground surveillance system which will be installed aboard five Bombardier Global Express aircraft.

The system will operate in near real-time to give battlefield commanders rapid access to highly accurate information on develop-ments in their target areas.

The aircraft are to be modified and equipped by Raytheon Systems UK and L-3 Communications Integrated Systems, a subcontractor responsible for systems integration on the first aircraft.

As part of the flight test programme, the aircraft was modified with various external shapes and other aerodynamic modifications representative of the production ASTOR aircraft.

The first of the five aircraft was delivered to the L-3 Communications facility earlier this year, with the remaining four to be delivered in January 2003.

The first aircraft equipped with the system is scheduled to enter service in 2005.