Gulfstream IV

Gulfstream IV / G400
C-20F/G/H/J
GIV-SP / G350 / G450
A Gulfstream IV of the Royal Netherlands Air Force
Role Business jet
Manufacturer Gulfstream Aerospace
First flight September 19, 1985
Status Active service
Primary users United States Air Force
United States Army
United States Navy
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Produced 1985–present
Number built 870 [1]
Unit cost
GIV: US$36 million (1996)[2]
G350: US$34.9 million (2012)[3]
G450: US$41 million (2015)[4]
Developed from Gulfstream III
Variants Gulfstream V
Gulfstream G350/G450

The Gulfstream IV (or G-IV or GIV) and derivatives are a family of twinjet aircraft, mainly for private or business use. The aircraft was designed and built by Gulfstream Aerospace, a General Dynamics company based in Savannah, Georgia, United States, from 1985 until 2003. The power is provided by two Rolls-Royce RB.183 Tay turbofans. In October 2016, Gulfstream announced it will end production of the G450 and deliver the last in early 2018 as the G500 is starting to be delivered. Eight hundred and seventy GIV/GIV-SP/G450 units have been produced.[1]

Design and development

Gulfstream, in collaboration with Grumman, began work on the Gulfstream IV in March 1983 as a re-engined, stretched fuselage derivative of the Gulfstream III. A decision to redesign the wing structure for weight reduction presented an opportunity for an aerodynamic redesign of the wing to reduce cruise drag and increase range. Wing contour modifications had to be restricted to the forward 65% of wing chord so that no redesign of the control surfaces would be necessary. Modification of the inboard wing would have entailed a redesign of the fuselage floor structure, consequently this region of the wing was not modified. Outboard wing modifications were aimed at reducing the peak subcritical pressure coefficient and moving it aft in an effort to reduce shock strength and increase shock sweep.[5] The Gulfstream IV wing has a weaker, more swept outboard shock resulting in a lower cruise drag. Other benefits arising from this design are a lower root bending moment due to the more inboard center of pressure, a lower stall speed due to washout and a larger fuel volume due to increased chord. These aerodynamic improvements result in an increase in range of over 300 nautical miles.[6]

In addition to the innovative wing design, the Gulfstream IV also became the first business jet to have an entire glass cockpit.[7] The first GIV made its maiden flight on September 19, 1985.[8] The model received type certification from the FAA on April 22, 1987.[9] The G-IV entered into service with serial number 1000 in 1987 and was upgraded to the special purpose GIV-SP version at serial number 1214 in 1993. It was later redesignated G400 at serial number 1500.[10]

The winglet of a G450
GULFSTREAM G-IV at John Wayne Airport (KSNA), December, 2013

A shorter range variant was created based on the GIV and given the G300 designation in 2002.[8] The G400 has a large cabin, long range of 4,350 nautical miles (8,060 km) and the same comfort and design that characterize the G series. Maximum cruise height and speed are 45,000 ft and Mach 0.88. Earlier models were fitted with Honeywell's SPZ 8000 Avionics package. The SPZ 8400 Avionics Package was an option, becoming standard on later models. Its second-hand price was below $15 million in 2009.[10]

In 2001, Gulfstream began work on an improved version of the GIV-SP, originally designated GIV-X. It was later renamed G450. The G450 is lengthened 1 ft (0.305 m) over the G400 and shares the forward fuselage and larger cockpit of the G550. Production of the G450 began in October 2004, replacing the G400. The G450 has better performance and comes with the PlaneView cockpit with four 14-inch (355 mm) liquid crystal displays and a Head up display (HUD). The shorter range G350 version of the G450 was developed and received certification in 2004.[11]

Operational history

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) operates a GIV-SP (N49RF) modified to fly scientists and crew members at 45,000 feet around tropical cyclones. The aircraft was modified to drop instruments called "dropsondes" to measure windspeed, barometric pressure, humidity, and temperature as they fall to the surface of the ocean. By sampling the cyclone with these dropsondes over a 4,000 mile track around the storm, the forecasters at NOAA's National Hurricane Center and Hurricane Research Division can better predict where the hurricane will be "steered" by the upper level winds. They also predict wind shear that will either increase or decrease a hurricane's strength. The GIV-SP is suited for this mission since it is fast, and can fly long distances with ample cabin space for the crew and instruments.[12] In 2009, the NOAA GIV-SP was further modified by the addition of a side-scanning Doppler radar to the rear fuselage. This radar is used for storm cloud profiling.[13]

In June 1987 a Gulfstream IV set 22 world records in its class in flying west around the world in 45 hr 25 min. The next year another GIV set 11 world records flying east around the world.[14] In 1990, Gulfstream CEO Allen Paulson and a Gulfstream flight crew set 35 international records for around-the-world flight in a GIV.[15]

Variants

C-20F/G/H/J military variants

The U.S. military variant of the IV, designated C-20F/G/H/J Gulfstream IV in Department of Defense service.[16] The C-20F is a GIV model operated by the U.S. Army in a command/executive transport role.

U.S. Marine Corps VIP C-20G, also known as the "Grey Ghost."[17]

The C-20G aircraft[18] may be configured for cargo operations, 26 passenger operations or combinations of the two. With passengers seats removed, it may be configured as three pallets with no passengers or two pallets and eight passengers or one pallet and fourteen passengers. With full seating, the aircraft is capable of accommodating up to twenty-six passengers and a crew of four. A hydraulically operated cargo door is installed on the starboard side of the aircraft, and a ball roller cargo floor is capable of accommodating palletized cargo. The C-20G is operated by Fleet Logistics Support Squadron Four Eight (VR-48) at Naval Air Facility, Andrews Air Force Base, Washington, DC and at VMR Detachment Kaneohe Bay, Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Marine Corps Base Hawaii.[19]

The C-20H is a GIV-SP model operated by the U.S. Air Force in a command/executive transport role. The C-20J is a GIV-SP model operated by the U.S. Army in a command/executive transport role.

The United States Department of Defense C-20A/B/C/D/E aircraft are all Gulfstream III variants.

G350/G450

Gulfstream G450

The G450 is a designation for the model GIV-X, approved by the FAA on August 12, 2004, as is the G350, which has a reduced fuel capacity. Compared to the Gulfstream IV, its fuselage is 12 inches longer and the main entry door relocated aft. The Rolls-Royce Tay 611 engines are replaced by 611-8Cs with FADEC, redesigned thrust reversers, nacelles and pylons which increases range and payload, coupled with aerodynamic improvements. Many Gulfstream V-SP improvements are used: the Honeywell advanced flight deck display suite, electrical power generation, cabin temperature control and pressurization, nose and nose landing gear. It also has an improved APU and flap/stab actuation system, redesigned main landing gear wheels and brakes, flight control system hard-over protection system.[9]

Three hundred and thirty–plus aircraft were in service at the end of 2014, with prices ranging from $15 million to $32 million.[20]

Operators

Civil operators

The aircraft is operated by private individuals, companies and executive charter operators, and in fractional ownership programs.

Government and military operators

 Botswana
 Brunei
 Chile
 Ivory Coast
 Egypt
 India
 Jordan
 Japan
Japan Air Self-Defense Force U-4 above Mt. Fuji
 Malaysia
 Mexico
 Netherlands
 Saudi Arabia
 Sweden
 Turkey
 Pakistan
 United Arab Emirates
 United States
 Venezuela

Former military operators

 Ireland
 Uganda

Specifications

GIV[25] GIV-SP[25] G350[26] G450[27]
Cockpit crew Two
Seating capacity 14-19 19 maximum, 12-16 typical
Length 88ft 4in / 26.92m 89ft 4in / 27.23m
Wingspan 77ft 10 / 23.72m
Wing area 950.39sqft / 88.3m²
Overall height 24ft 5in / 7.45m 25ft 2in / 7.67m
MTOW 73,200 lb (33,203 kg) 74,600 lb (33,838 kg) 70,900 lb (32,160 kg) 74,600 lb (33,838 kg)
Empty weight 35,500 lb (16,103 kg) 42,700 lb (19,368 kg) 43,000 lb (19,504 kg)
Cruising speed Mach 0.80–Mach 0.85 (459–488 kn; 850–903 km/h)
Maximum speed Mach 0.88 (505 kn; 935 km/h)
Range 4,220 nmi (7,815 km) 3,800 nmi (7,038 km) 4,350 nmi (8,056 km)
Service ceiling 45,000 ft (13,716 m)
Engines (×2) Rolls-Royce Tay 611-8 Rolls-Royce Tay 611-8C
Thrust 13,850lbf / 61.6kN

See also

Related development

Related lists

References

  1. 1 2 "Gulfstream G450 Production To End, Paving The Way For The All-New G500" (Press release). Gulfstream. October 21, 2016.
  2. "Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation". Company-Histories.com.
  3. "Operations Planning Guide" (PDF). Business & Commercial Aviation. Aviation Week. 2012.
  4. "Business Jets Specification and Performance Data" (PDF). Business & Commercial Aviation. Aviation Week. May 2015.
  5. Chandrasekharan, R.M., Murphy, W.R., Taverna, F.P. and Boppe, C.W., "Computational Aerodynamic of the Gulfstream IV Wing", AIAA paper 85-0427, presented at the AIAA 23rd Aerospace Sciences Meeting, Reno Nevada, January 1985.
  6. Boppe, Charles W., "Computational Aerodynamic Design: X-29, the Gulfstream Series and a Tactical Fighter", SAE paper 851789, 1985 Wright Brothers Award Paper, presented at the Aerospace Technology Conference & Exposition, Long Beach California, October 1985.
  7. Joel Thomas (19 May 2014). "History of the Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation". stratos jet charters.
  8. 1 2 Frawley, Gerald. "Gulfstream IV, G300 & G400". The International Directory of Civil Aircraft, 2003/2004. Fishwick, Act: Aerospace Publications, 2003. ISBN 1-875671-58-7.
  9. 1 2 "Type Certificate date Sheet NO. A12EA, revision 46" (PDF). FAA. February 22, 2016.
  10. 1 2 "Gulfstream IV". Business and Commercial Aviation. Aviation Week. January 2009.
  11. "Flight test : Gulstream G450 - Heir apparent". Flight International. November 23, 2004.
  12. "Gulfstream IV-SP (G-IV)." National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration web site.
  13. Picture of the Gulfstream Aerospace G-IV Gulfstream IV-SP aircraft Retrieved 1 November 2011.
  14. "Gulfstream Aerospace G-IV". airliners.net
  15. Lacy, Clay. "Clay Lacy on Allen Paulson". Clay Lacy. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  16. DoD 4120-15L, Model Designation of Military Aerospace Vehicles. US DoD, 12 May 2004.
  17. The Grey Ghost Archived 2011-07-04 at the Wayback Machine. Hawaii Reporter: Dispatches from the War on Terrorism, September 24, 2004
  18. Navy C-20G
  19. Wings of Gold, Vol. 36, No. 3, Fall 2011, Association of Naval Aviation, Alexandria, VA, pp.18-21
  20. Fred George (November 24, 2014). "An Operational Look at: Gulfstream's G450". Business & Commercial Aviation.
  21. 1 2 (Professional Pilot Magazine)
  22. S-102B Korpen
  23. Government jet sold to US company
  24. The Editor, . (February 2009). "Museveni's Shs88 Billion Jet Arrives". The Observer (Uganda). Archived from the original on 18 June 2015. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
  25. 1 2 Gerard Frawley. "Gulfstream Aerospace G-IV Gulfstream IV". The International Directory of Civil Aircraft. Technical Data & Specifications.
  26. "G350 Specifications" (PDF). Gulfstream. 2010.
  27. "G450 Specifications" (PDF). Gulfstream. September 2015.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.