| G200 / G280 | |
|---|---|
| Gulfstream G200 | |
| Role | Business jet |
| Manufacturer | Gulfstream Aerospace |
| First flight | December 25, 1997 |
| Introduction | 1999 |
| Status | In service |
| Produced | G200: 1997–2011 G280: 2009– |
| Number built | G200: 250[1] |
The Gulfstream G200, formerly known as the IAI Galaxy is a twin-engine business jet. It was designed originally by Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) and is produced for Gulfstream Aerospace. The Gulfstream G280, previously known as the G250, is an improved version under development by Gulfstream and IAI.[2]
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The G200 was originally named "Astra Galaxy". Israel Aircraft Industries' subsidiary Galaxy Aerospace Inc began designing the Galaxy in the late 1980s in a risk-sharing partnership with the Soviet aircraft design bureau Yakovlev OKB.[3] In September 1993, the program was officially launched. Yakovlev handled design and manufacturing of the forward fuselage and empennage. But it was failing to keep the production schedule and the partnership was ended in 1995.[4][5] This led to EADS Sogerma sharing manufacturing with the responsibility for the fuselage and tail of the Galaxy. IAI handled final assembly and other prime contractor duties.[6]
The Galaxy was based on a new wider fuselage, attached to a strengthened Astra SPX wing with integrated winglets and modified high lift devices, powered by new 5,700 1b (25.3 kN) thrust Pratt & Whitney Canada PW306 turbofans, and with improved Pro Line 4 avionics and all-new interior. The decision to use the existing Astra SPX wing imposed a limit on maximum size, but allowed for a fuselage large enough to accommodate three-abreast seating. The main change from the Astra SPX wing was the introduction of Krueger flaps on the leading edges of the inboard section. These recovered some of the field performance lost as a result of the Galaxy's higher wing loading.[7][6][8] It uses rubber de-ice boots on wing and horizontal stabilizer leading edges. Most jets today use engine bleed air to heat these areas. The aircraft has seating configurations for 8 to 10 passengers.[8] The G200 has a forward tilting stance when on the ground.
The Galaxy's first flight occurred on December 25, 1997. In December 1998 the Galaxy was certified by the American and Israeli aviation agencies. Deliveries of the aircraft began the following year.[6] It was introduced into service in 1999.[8] The Galaxy was renamed "G200" following Gulfstream Aerospace acquiring Galaxy Aerospace in June 2001.[9]
The last G200, the 250th, rolled off the production line the week of December 19, 2011.[1]
Since 2005 Gulfstream has been working on a follow-up aircraft, then known as the G250, which was launched in 2008, with major improvements, like new glass cockpit and engines, bigger wing, heated leading edges, and other refinements.[10][11]
The G250 is a derivative of the G200, with many improvements, among them increased cabin length, new engine HTF7250G, new T-tail, wing bleed anti-ice, cabin with 4 more windows and access from it to the baggage compartment. It will compete against the Hawker 4000, Bombardier Challenger 300 and the planned Embraer Legacy 500. The fuselage, empennage and landing gear will be manufactured by IAI, the wing by Spirit AeroSystems, while the final assembly will be performed by Gulfstream.[10][11]
The first G250 has its maiden flight on December 11, 2009 from Tel Aviv, Israel.[12] The second G280 first flew on March 25, 2010. With this flight, the two G280s have completed over 72 hours of flight testing.[13] The G280 is planned to receive type certification in 2011, then enter service shortly afterwards.[14]
In July 2011, the G250 was renamed the G280, as the company had "determined that G280 is a more amenable number sequence [than G250] in certain cultures."[15][16]
Data from Frawley[6] Gulfstream G200 data[17]
General characteristics
Performance
Data from Gulfstream G280 data[18][19]
General characteristics
Performance
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