Gulfstream G550

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Gulfstream G500/G550
C-37B

A Netjets Europe G550 business jet climbs away from London Luton Airport, England.
Type Business jet
Manufacturer Gulfstream Aerospace
Maiden flight 1995
Introduced 1998
Status Active service
Primary users United States Air Force
United States Navy
Israeli Air Force
Netjets
Number built 124+
Unit cost G500: $36 million
G550: $59.9 million
Developed from Gulfstream V
Variants Gulfstream G650

The Gulfstream G500 and G550 are business jet aircraft produced by General Dynamics' Gulfstream Aerospace unit, located in Savannah, Georgia. They are variants of the Gulfstream V.

Contents

[edit] Development

[edit] Gulfstream G500

The G500, a variant of the Gulfstream V, was launched in 2002 and certified by the FAA in 2003.[1] 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 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.

[edit] Gulfstream G550

The G550 was released to the market in 2003, and has increased performance. Range is increased to 6,750 nautical miles (12,500 km), mostly due to reductions in aerodynamic drag. The Gulfstream 550 is the longest range business jet in the world. Additionally, this aircraft has a "PlaneView" cockpit (which consists of 4 Honeywell DU-1310 EFIS screens, and a Gulfstream-designed cursor control system), and an "Enhanced Vision System" (EVS), an infrared camera that displays an image of the view in front of the camera on a head up display. EVS 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 124 Gulfstream G550 aircraft have been produced.[2]

The Gulfstream 550 competes against the Airbus Corporate Jet, Boeing Business Jet, and the Bombardier Global Express.

The purchase price of a new Gulfstream G550 ranges from US$45 million to $70 million and could be much higher depending on numerous configurations, options, paint and such.[citation needed] Variable operating costs (fuel, maint, trip expenses) are around $2,300 per hour while overall ownership expenses (including maintenance, storage, crew costs and insurance) could be around $600,000 per year.[citation needed] This does not include costs for periodic maintenance procedures such as $1,000,000 for an engine rebuild, $ 200,000 for a paint job or $300,000 if you want your interior refitted.[citation needed]

[edit] Design

The Cabin pressurization can be maintained at the equivalent of 6,000 feet (1,800 m) altitude[3] versus 8,000 feet (2,400 m) on conventional aircraft. This can significantly improve passenger comfort when gas becomes trapped in the gastrointestinal tract, the middle ear and the paranasal sinuses.[citation needed]

[edit] Operators

[edit] Civil operators

Flag of Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia

National Air Services, NAS of Saudi Arabia offers lease and fractional ownership services of Gulfstream G550s in the region.

Flag of Turkey Turkey

Turkish Airlines ordered one G550 to be delivered in the first quarter of 2009.[4]

Flag of the United States United States
  • Delta AirElite Business Jets provides charter and fractional use of Gulfstream G550 business jets.

[edit] Government and military operators

Flag of Argentina Argentina
Argentinean Government has two Gulfstream G550 for VIP transport and the Coast Guard has one Gulfstream G500.
Flag of Germany Germany
The German Aerospace Center (DLR) ordered a G550 special mission aircraft. The aircraft is dubbed HALO (High-Altitude and LOng-range).[6]
Flag of Greece Greece
The Greek Air Force operates 2 G500s for VIP transport and particularly for transport of government officials. These jets are equipped with anti-missile systems.
IAF Gulfstream G500
IAF Gulfstream G500
Flag of Israel Israel
Israel has acquired a number of G550s, fitted with IAI Phalcon radars, for Airborne Early Warning use.
Flag of Singapore Singapore
The Republic of Singapore Air Force has ordered 4 heavily modified G550s for use in Airborne Early Warning (AEW) missions. The first is to be delivered in 2008 and all are expected to be operational by 2010.[7]
Flag of Sweden Sweden
Sweden operates one G550 for transport of the Royal family and Prime Minister.
Flag of Tanzania Tanzania
The Government of Tanzania acquired one G550 for government related flights in 2004.[8]
Flag of Uganda Uganda
The Government of Uganda ordered one G550 for Presidential flights in December 2007 at a cost of US$48.2 million to replace a Gulfstream IV (GIV). Delivery of the G550 is expected in early 2009.[9]
Flag of the United States United States
A special equipped C-37B serves as Presidential transport during certain operations.[10][verification needed]
The U.S. Navy operates three G550s as the C-37B as VIP transports.[11]
U.S. Army received one G550 in 2005.[12]

[edit] Specifications (G500)

Data from Gulfstream website[13]

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 (21,773 kg)
  • Loaded weight: 54,500 lb (24,721 kg)
  • Useful load: 6,500 lb (2,948 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 85,100 lb (38,601 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2× Rolls-Royce BR710 turbofan, 15,385 lbf (68.4 kN) each
  • Maximum ramp weight: 85,500 lb (38,793 kg)
  • Maximum landing weight: 75,300 lb (34,156 kg)
  • Maximum fuel weight: 35,200 lb (15,966 kg)
  • Cabin length: 50 ft 1 in (15.3 m)
  • Cabin height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
  • Cabin width: 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m)
  • Cabin volume: 1,669 ft³ (47.3 m³)
  • Baggage compartment volume: 226 ft³ (6.4 m³)

Performance

  • Takeoff distance: 5,150 ft (1,570 m)
  • Landing distance: 2,770 ft (884 m)

[edit] Specifications (G550)

Data from Gulfstream website[14]

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 (21,909 kg)
  • Loaded weight: 54,500 lb (24,721 kg)
  • Useful load: 6,200 lb (2,812 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 91,000 lb (41,277 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2× Rolls-Royce BR710 turbofan, 15,385 lbf (68.4 kN) each
  • Maximum ramp weight: 91,400 lb (41,459 kg)
  • Maximum landing weight: 75,300 lb (34,156 kg)
  • Maximum fuel weight: 41,300 lb (18,733 kg)
  • Cabin length: 50 ft 1 in (15.3 m)
  • Cabin height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
  • Cabin width: 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m)
  • Cabin volume: 1,669 ft³ (47.3 m³)
  • Baggage compartment volume: 226 ft³ (6.4 m³)

Performance

  • Takeoff distance: 5,910 ft (1,801 m)
  • Landing distance: 2,770 ft (884 m)

[edit] See also

Related development

Comparable aircraft


[edit] References

  1. ^ "Gulfstream G500 Receives Federal Aviation Administration Type Certificate.". Gulfstream press release. December 8, 2003.
  2. ^ Gulfstream 550 first took Flight Five Years Ago, July 19, 2007
  3. ^ Gulfstream V in Service For 10 years (Gulfstream Press Release June 18, 2007
  4. ^ "THY, Gulfstream G550 uçağı alacak ". nethaber.com, 8 October 2007
  5. ^ Layout 1
  6. ^ GULFSTREAM DELIVERS FOUR SPECIAL MISSIONAIRCRAFT AND RECEIVES ORDER FOR ONE MORE IN 1Q05” (press release April 21, 2005)
  7. ^ "Singapore to Replace Hawkeye With G550 AEW"
  8. ^ "Tanzania's leader snubs new jet". BBC news, 6 October 2004
  9. ^ "New Shs82b jet for President Museveni". The Monitor, 19 December 2007
  10. ^ White House Chief of Staff Card Addresses the Excelgov Conference in Washington, DC (WhiteHouse.Gov)
  11. ^ U.S. Navy fact file for C-37A (G-V) and C-37B (G550)
  12. ^ "GULFSTREAM DELIVERS FOUR SPECIAL MISSION AIRCRAFT AND RECEIVES ORDER FOR ONE MORE IN 1Q05" Gulfstream, April 21, 2005.
  13. ^ Gulfstream : G500.
  14. ^ Gulfstream : G550.

[edit] External links

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