User:BillCJ/Sandbox/IAI Astra
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- This is a sandbox for the new IAI Astra article.
| Astra | |
|---|---|
| Type | Business jet |
| Manufacturer | Israel Aircraft Industries |
| Maiden flight | March 19, 1984 |
| Introduced | 1986 |
| Status | Active service |
| Developed from | IAI Westwind |
| Variants | Gulfstream G100 |
The IAI Astra is an Israel Aircraft Industries-manufactured twin-engine business jet. The Astra evolved from the Rockwell Jet Commander aircraft, for which IAI had purchased the manufacturing license in 1968, and the IAI Westwind. Astra later evolved into the Galaxy (later the Gulfstream G200) business jet during the 1990s.
Contents |
[edit] Design
Work on an improved Westwind began in the early 1980s, with the first prototype flight on March 19, 1984. The first production Astra flew in March 1985, FAA certification came in August 1985 and customer deliveries started in 1986.
The original 1125 Astra was replaced in by the Astra SP, announced in 1989 of which 37 were built. The third variant, Astra SPX, flew in August 1994. This variant was renamed G100 from September 2002 following Gulfstream's acquisition of Galaxy Aerospace, which held the Astra certifications, in May 2001. IAI builds G100s in Israel and then flies the completed airframes the United states for interior outfitting.
[edit] Text 1
The IAI-1125 Astra is a comprehensively upgraded development of the successful IAI-1124 Westwind, with a number of key changes to improve performance and increase cabin volume. It is now part of the expanded Gulfstream stable, designated G100.
Israel Aircraft Industries began work on an improved development of its model 1124, initially known as the 1125 Westwind, in the early 1980s, with the first flight of the new type occurring on March 19 1984. A second prototype flew in October 1984, and a third was used for ground based static and fatigue testing. The first production Astra flew in March 1985, and the first customer delivery took place in mid 1986 after certification had been granted in August the previous year.
The Astra is based on the basic Westwind II fuselage and tail, mated with an all new high speed swept wing (initially lacking winglets). Aside from the aerodynamic and hence performance benefits of the new wing, it was also repositioned low on the fuselage (as opposed to mid mounted on the Westwind), where it does not intrude on internal cabin space. The repositioned wing plus reshaped fuselage frames means that headroom is increased by 20cm (8in). Other changes include a lengthened nose for greater avionics space and more extensive use of composites (mainly for control surfaces).
The original 1125 Astra was replaced in production by the Astra SP. The SP was first announced in 1989 and features a revised cabin interior, upgraded avionics, EFIS cockpit and some minor aerodynamic refinements. Thirty seven were built before it was replaced by the SPX.
The SPX, renamed G100 from September 2002, first flew in August 1994. It features more powerful FADEC equipped 18.9kN (4250lb) Honeywell TFE731-40R-200Gs, winglets and Collins Pro Line 4 avionics.
IAI builds the G100 in Israel and the "green" airframes are flown to Lincoln, Nebraska in the US for interior outfitting. Gulfstream acquired Galaxy Aerospace, which held the Astra type certificates and was responsible for marketing, in May 2001.
In September 2002 Gulfstream announced the improved G150, based on the G100 but with an enlarged fuselage and seating for six to eight. It will be powered by TFE731s, cruise at Mach 0.75 and have a range of 5000km (2700nm). Deliveries are due in 2005.
Two Astra SPXs have been delivered to the US Air Force (Air National Guard) as C-38As for transport and medevac tasks.
[edit] Operators
[edit] Specifications (G200)
This aircraft article is missing some (or all) of its specifications. If you have a source, you can help Wikipedia by adding them.Data from [1]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Capacity: typical seating for 6 passengers, with maximum seating for 9
- Payload: lb (kg)
- Length: 55 ft 7 in (16.94 m)
- Wingspan: 52 ft 8 in (16.05 m)
- Height: 18 ft 2 in (5.53 m)
- Wing area: 316.6 ft2 (29.4 m2)
- Empty weight: 12,670 lb (5,747 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 23,500 lb (10,660 kg)
- Powerplant: 2× Garrett TFE731-3B-1100G turbofans, 3,650 lbf (16.2 kN) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 8 mph (km/h)
- Cruise speed: 465 kts (826 km/h)
- Range: 3,110 mi (5,760 km)
- Service ceiling 41,500 ft (m)
- Rate of climb: 3,560 ft/min ()
[edit] References
- ^ a b Frawley, Gerard (2002). The International Directory of Civil Aircraft. Fyshwick ACT, Australia: Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd, 134. ISBN ISBN 1-875671-58-7.
[edit] External links
[edit] See also
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Related development
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This article on an aircraft of the 2000s is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
Category:U.S. business aircraft 2000-2009
Category:U.S. military utility aircraft 2000-2009
