Gulfstream G550
The Gulfstream G500 and G550 are business jet aircraft produced by General Dynamics' Gulfstream Aerospace unit, located in Savannah, Georgia, USA. They are variants of the Gulfstream V. There are nine G500s, and 198 G550s in active service as of January 2009[update].[2]
Development
Gulfstream G500
The G500, a variant of the G550, was certified by the FAA in 2003.[3] It was introduced into service in 2004. As a shorter range version of the G550, it has the same exterior appearance, as well as the PlaneView cockpit, but does not have the Enhanced Vision System (EVS) as standard equipment, although it is available as an option. It has a lower fuel capacity than the G550 for a range up to 5,800 nautical miles (10,700 km). The G500 was designed for an emerging market of customers who require the reliability of the G550, but neither the range nor the level of interior customization.[3]
Gulfstream G550
The G550, a variant of the Gulfstream V, initially named Gulfstream V SP,[4] was released to the market in 2003. It has increased performance. Range is increased to 6,750 nautical miles (12,500 km), mostly due to reductions in aerodynamic drag. The Gulfstream 550 has the longest flight range in its class. Additionally, this aircraft has a "PlaneView" cockpit,[5] which consists of 4 Honeywell DU-1310 EFIS screens, a Gulfstream-designed cursor control system, and an Enhanced Vision System (EVS). EVS is an infrared camera that displays an image of the view in front of the camera on a head up display. The system permits the aircraft to land in lower-visibility instrument meteorological conditions than a non-EVS-equipped aircraft. This aircraft may be distinguished from the legacy Gulfstream V by a seventh passenger window on both sides of the aircraft, and by the square outflow valve on the aircraft right side as compared to the circular one on the GV. More than 182 Gulfstream G550 aircraft have been produced as of 2008.[6]
The Gulfstream 550 competes against the Airbus Corporate Jet, Boeing Business Jet, and the Bombardier Global Express.
Design
The cabin pressurization can be maintained at the equivalent of 6,000 feet (1,800 m) altitude.[7] Comparable aircraft maintain cabin pressurization of 8,000 feet (2,400 m), giving the Gulfstream V an advantage in comfort.
Variants
- G500: A derivative of the Gulfstream V with shorter range than G550.
- G550: Longer range version with more advanced cockpit.
- C-37B: G550 version used by US military.
- G550 Airborne Early Warning: Israel has acquired a number of G550s, fitted with Elta's EL/W-2085 sensor package (a newer derivative of the Phalcon system) for Airborne Early Warning (AEW) use and named the aircraft Eitam. This aircraft is heavily modified for the AEW role by Gulfstream's partner, IAI, and is also called CAEW (Conformal Airborne Early Warning) by Gulfstream Special Missions Department. Israel has also acquired a number of communications jamming equipped G550s dubbed SEMA (Special Electronic Missions Aircraft) with systems integration also carried out by IAI.[8] Singapore ordered four similar G550 CAEW aircraft equipped with the EL/W-2085 sensor package from Gulfstream and IAI.[9][10]
- Air-to-air refuelling variant: Israel Aerospace Industries has plans to adapt the G550 for air-to-air refuelling.
Operators
Civil operators
The aircraft is operated by private individuals, companies and executive charter operators. A number of companies also use the aircraft as part of fractional ownership programs.
Government and military operators
- Germany
- The German Aerospace Center (DLR) has completed a G550 special mission aircraft. The aircraft is dubbed HALO (High Altitude and Long Range Research Aircraft). The aircraft's primary objective is to explore the atmosphere and its carbon cycle. Its unique configuration allows a flying altitude of more than 15 kilometers, a range of more than 8000 kilometers and a load capacity of three tons.[11][12]
- Greece
- The Hellenic Air Force operates 2 G500s for VIP transport and particularly for transport of government officials. These jets are equipped with anti-missile systems.
- Kuwait
- The State of Kuwait operates the Gulfstream G550 aircraft[13] in a transport role for the Royal family.
- Israel
- Eitam CAEW (Conformal Airborne Early Warning); Shavit SEMA (Special Electronic Missions Aircraft).[8]
- Morocco
- The Moroccan Air Force operates 1 Gulfstream G550 aircraft for VIP transport.
- Singapore
- The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has ordered four G550s with the IAI/ELTA Phalcon-based EL/W-2085 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) active phased array radar for CAEW duties from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in 2007.[14] These were delivered in late 2008 and are expected to be fully operational by late 2010.[15] Not included in the deal is an additional G550 as an AEW trainer, which will be acquired and maintained by ST Aerospace on behalf of RSAF.[16]
- Sweden
- The Swedish Air Force operates one G550, designated TP 102D, which was delivered in April 2011.[17] It along with a G-IV designated TP 102A, and a G-IV SP, designated TP 102C, serve as transports for the Royal Family and the Prime Minister.
- Tanzania
- The Government of Tanzania acquired one G550 for government related flights in 2004.[18]
- Turkey
- Turkey operates two G550 for transport of the Prime Minister.
- The Turkish Armed Forces has also two G550 Command and Control aircraft.[19]
- Uganda
- The Government of Uganda took delivery of a brand new G550 for Presidential flights in February 2009 at a cost of US$48.2 million to replace a Gulfstream IV-SP that had been in service since 2000. The Gulfstream IV-SP was sold in December 2009 for US$10 million.[20]
- United States
- A special equipped C-37B serves as VIP transport including the President during certain operations.[21]
- The U.S. Navy operates three G550s as the C-37B as VIP transports.[22]
- U.S. Army received one G550 in 2005.[12]
Specifications
G500
Data from Gulfstream website[23]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2 pilots, 0-2 attendants
- Capacity: 14-19 passengers
- Length: 96 ft 5 in (29.4 m)
- Wingspan: 93 ft 6 in (28.5 m)
- Height: 25 ft 10 in (7.9 m)
- Empty weight: 48,000 lb (21,800 kg)
- Loaded weight: 54,500 lb (24,700 kg)
- Useful load: 6,500 lb (2,950 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 85,100 lb (38,600 kg)
- Powerplant: 2 × Rolls-Royce BR710 turbofan, 15,385 lbf (68.44 kN) each
- Maximum Ramp Weight: 85,500 lb (38,800 kg)
- Maximum landing weight: 75,300 lb (34,200 kg)
- Maximum fuel weight: 35,200 lb (16,000 kg)
- Cabin dimensions: volume: 1,669 ft³ (47.3 m³), height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m), width: 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m)
- Baggage compartment volume: 226 ft³ (6.4 m³)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 0.885 Mach
- Cruise speed: 488 knots (562 mph, 0.85 Mach, 904 km/h)
- Range: 5,800 nmi (6,648 mi, 10,700 km)
- Service ceiling: 51,000 ft (15,500 m)
- Takeoff distance: 5,150 ft (1,570 m)
- Landing distance: 2,770 ft (880 m)
G550
Data from Gulfstream website[24]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2 pilots, 0-2 attendants
- Capacity: 14-19 passengers
- Length: 96 ft 5 in (29.4 m)
- Wingspan: 93 ft 6 in (28.5 m)
- Height: 25 ft 10 in (7.9 m)
- Empty weight: 48,300 lb (21,900 kg)
- Loaded weight: 54,500 lb (24,700 kg)
- Useful load: 6,200 lb (2,800 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 91,000 lb (41,300 kg)
- Powerplant: 2 × Rolls-Royce BR710 turbofan, 15,385 lbf (68.44 kN) each
- Maximum Ramp Weight: 91,400 lb (41,500 kg)
- Maximum landing weight: 75,300 lb (34,200 kg)
- Maximum fuel weight: 41,300 lb (18,700 kg)
- Cabin dimensions: volume: 1,669 ft³ (47.3 m³), height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m), width: 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m)
- Baggage compartment volume: 226 ft³ (6.4 m³)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 0.885 Mach (585 mph, 941 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 488 knots (562 mph, 0.85 Mach, 904 km/h)
- Range: 6,750 nmi (7,768 miles, 12,500 km)
- Service ceiling: 51,000 ft (15,500 m)
- Takeoff distance: 5,910 ft (1,800 m)
- Landing distance: 2,770 ft (880 m)
See also
- Related development
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
References
- ^ a b Business & Commercial Aviation's 2010 Purchase Planning Handbook Aviation Week.
- ^ "Federal Aviation Administration aircraft population chart." Air and Space magazine. 10 January 2009.
- ^ a b "Gulfstream G500 Receives Federal Aviation Administration Type Certificate". Gulfstream. December 8, 2003.
- ^ "Gulfstream G550 gets US approval". Flight International, December 17, 2002.
- ^ cockpit image, airliners.net
- ^ "Gulfstream Marks Entry-Into-Service Anniversaries for the G550 and the GIV-SP". Gulfstream, September 17, 2008.
- ^ "Gulfstream V in Service For 10 years". Gulfstream, June 18, 2007.
- ^ a b "Israel to receive the first of three Eitam AEW aircraft". RF Design Magazine. February 13, 2008. http://rfdesign.com/military_defense_electronics/news/israel_receives_aircraft_0213/. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
- ^ Govindasamy, Siva. "Singapore takes delivery of first G550 AEW". Flight International, February 23, 2009.
- ^ EL/W-2085 – Airborne Early Warning System.
- ^ "new research aircraft HALO successfully completed” press release 6 December 2007.
- ^ a b Gulfstream Delivers Four Special Mission Aircraft And Receives Order For One More In 1Q05. Gulfstream press release, April 21, 2005.
- ^ (planepictures.net)
- ^ "Singapore confirms new AEW purchase". Flight International. http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/05/01/213565/singapore-confirms-aew-purchase.html.
- ^ "Singapore to Replace Hawkeye With G550 AEW". www.defense-update.com. http://www.defense-update.com/newscast/0507/news_080507.htm#g550.
- ^ Craig Hoyle (16 September 2008). "Singapore to get additional G550 as AEW trainer". FlightGlobal.com. http://www.flightglobal.com/channels/finance/articles/2008/09/16/316068/singapore-to-get-additional-g550-as-aew-trainer.html. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
- ^ "FMV har anskaffat nytt statsflygplan". www.fmv.se. http://www.fmv.se/WmTemplates/page.aspx?id=5676.
- ^ "Tanzania's leader snubs new jet". BBC news, 6 October 2004
- ^ "Turkey picks G550 for command and control mission". Flight International, 16 December 2008.
- ^ Uganda Buys New Presidential Jet to Replace Older Model
- ^ White House Chief of Staff Card Addresses the Excelgov Conference in Washington, DC (WhiteHouse.Gov)
- ^ U.S. Navy fact file for C-37A (G-V) and C-37B (G550)
- ^ "Gulfstream : G500". Gulfstream. http://www.gulfstream.com/g500/.
- ^ "Gulfstream : G550". Gulfstream. http://www.gulfstream.com/g550/.
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