Gulfstream G550

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This article is about the GV-SP based G500. For current G500, see Gulfstream G500/G600.
Gulfstream G500/G550
C-37B
2010-07-21 G550 NetJets CS-DKE EDDF 01.jpg
A Netjets Europe G550 business jet on final approach to Frankfurt Airport
Role Business jet
National origin United States
Manufacturer Gulfstream Aerospace
Introduction 2004
Status In service
Primary users United States Air Force
United States Navy
Israeli Air Force
Netjets
Produced 2003–present
Number built 530 as of June 2016[1]
Unit cost
G500: US$48.25 million (2012)[2]
G550: US$61.5 million (2015)[3]
Developed from Gulfstream V

The Gulfstream G550 is a business jet aircraft produced by General Dynamics' Gulfstream Aerospace unit in Savannah, Georgia. The certification designation is GV-SP. There were 450 Gulfstream G550s in active service as of January 2016.[4] A version with reduced fuel capacity was marketed as the G500.

Development[edit]

Gulfstream G550[edit]

G550 flight deck
G550 cabin

The G550 (GV-SP) received its FAA type certificate on August 14, 2003. Compared to the Gulfstream V, it is equipped with a Honeywell Advanced Flight Deck Display Suite to improve flight crew situational awareness and operational capabilities. Aerodynamic and engine were improved, coupled with operational changes for increased performance, range and economics. The main entry door is relocated forward and a seventh cabin window pair is added, coupled with cabin improvements for increased baggage space, external visibility and comfort.[5]

The aircraft has a "PlaneView" cockpit with four Honeywell DU-1310 EFIS screens, a Gulfstream-designed cursor control system, and an Enhanced Vision System (EVS). A thermographic camera that displays a front view on a head up display, permitting to land in lower-visibility instrument meteorological conditions than without.[6] The 500th Gulfstream G550 aircraft has been delivered in May 2015.[7] Range is increased to 6,750 nautical miles (12,500 km). It competes against the Bombardier Global Express.

G500 shorter range version[edit]

The Gulfstream G500 has a reduced fuel capacity.[5] It was introduced in 2004. As a shorter range version of the G550, up to 5,800 nautical miles (10,700 km), 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. The G500 was designed for an emerging market of customers who require the reliability of the G550, but not the range or the level of interior customization.

Variants[edit]

GV-SP
The same as the Gulfstream V or GV with a new flightdeck display system, airframe aerodynamic and engine improvements, main entry door moved forward, also marketed as the G-550.
G500
Variant of the GV-SP, identical to the G550 but has a reduced fuel capacity. Visual Guidance System (HUD) and Enhanced Visual System are options.
G550
Marketing name for the GV-SP.
U.S. Air Force C-37B.
C-37B
U.S. military designation for the G550 in a VIP passenger configuration.
EC-37B
U.S. military designation for proposed G550 version in an Electronic Warfare configuration to replace USAF's existing EC-130H Compass Call aircraft.[citation needed]
NP-37B
U.S. military designation for proposed G550 with the "Conformal AEW" body shape for use as range telemetry aircraft for U.S. Navy.[8]
Israel Aerospace Industries IAI EL/W-2085
G550 Airborne Early Warning
Israel has acquired a number of G550s, fitted with the IAI 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, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), and is also called CAEW (Conformal Airborne Early Warning) by Gulfstream Special Missions Department.[9] Israel has also acquired a number of G550s dubbed SEMA (Special Electronic Missions Aircraft) with systems integration also carried out by IAI.[10] Italy has acquired 2 G550 CAEW as part of a counter-deal to Israel's $1 billion order for 30 Alenia Aermacchi M-346 advanced jet trainers.[11] Singapore ordered four similar G550 CAEW aircraft equipped with the EL/W-2085 sensor package from Gulfstream and IAI.[12]

Operators[edit]

Gulfstream G550 on ramp

Civil operators[edit]

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[edit]

 Azerbaijan
 Australia
  • In late 2015 the RAAF ordered two Gulfstream G550 aircraft to be delivered by 30 November 2017. The aircraft will be used for signals and electronic intelligence gathering.[15] Both Australian Aviation and FlightGlobal have reported that the aircraft will possibly form the replacement for the electronic intelligence-gathering role performed by the RAAF's AP-3 Orions.[15][16]
HALO flies over smoke creating wake vortices
 Germany
  • German Aerospace Center (DLR) - 1 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.[17][18]
 Israel
  • Israeli Air Force - 2 Eitam CAEW (Conformal Airborne Early Warning); 3 Shavit SEMA (Special Electronic Missions Aircraft)[19]
 Italy
 Kuwait
 Morocco
 Nigeria
 Poland
 Saudi Arabia
 Singapore
 Sweden
Tanzanian Government G550 on final approach to Zurich Airport
 Tanzania
 Turkey
 Uganda
A USAF C-37B at Yokota Air Base, Japan
 United States

Specifications[edit]

Gulfstream G500

Data from G550 Brochure[31]

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)
  • Useful load: 6,200 lb (2,812 kg)
  • Loaded weight: 54,500 lb (24,721 kg)
  • Max. takeoff weight: 91,000 lb (41,277 kg
  • Maximum landing weight: 75,300 lb (34,156 kg)
  • Maximum fuel weight: 41,300 lb (18,733 kg)
  • Cabin dimensions: height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m), width: 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m), Length (exc. baggage) 43 ft 11 in (13.39 m), total length 50 ft 1 in (15.27 m)
  • Volume: Cabin : 1,669 ft³ (47.26 m³), usable baggage compartment  : 170 ft³ (4.81 m³)
  • cabin pressurization: 6,000 feet (1,800 m) altitude.[32])
  • Powerplant: 2 × Rolls-Royce BR710 C4-11 high-ratio bypass turbofan, 15,385 lbf (68.44 kN) each

Performance

See also[edit]

Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References[edit]

  1. ^ Matt Thurber (5 December 2016). "Flying the G550" (PDF). aviation international news. 
  2. ^ "Operations Planning Guide" (PDF). Business & Commercial Aviation. Aviation Week. 2012. 
  3. ^ "Business Jets Specification and Performance Data" (PDF). Business & Commercial Aviation. Aviation Week. May 2015. 
  4. ^ "The Gulfstream G550". Gulfstream. 
  5. ^ a b "Type Certificate date Sheet NO. A12EA, revision 46" (PDF). FAA. February 22, 2016. 
  6. ^ Joel Thomas (19 May 2014). "History of Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation". Stratos jet charters. 
  7. ^ "Gulfstream Delivers 500th G550" (Press release). General Dynamics. 2015-05-17. 
  8. ^ "US Navy to customise G550 AEW airframe for range telemetry support". Jane's International Defence Review. 1 April 2016. 
  9. ^ "ELW-2085 - CAEW - Conformal Airborne Early Warning & Control". IAI. 
  10. ^ "Israel to receive the first of three Eitam AEW aircraft". Penton. February 13, 2008. 
  11. ^ a b "Italy signs G550 AEW deal with Israel". Flight Global. 20 July 2012. 
  12. ^ Govindasamy, Siva (February 23, 2009). "Singapore takes delivery of first G550 AEW". Flight International. 
  13. ^ Egozi, Arie (August 13, 2007). "IAI and Gulfstream planning G550 tanker". Flight International. 
  14. ^ Egozi, Arie (December 23, 2010). "IAI continues to evaluate G550 for air refuelling". Flight International. 
  15. ^ a b "Defence confirms acquisition of two ISR and EW Gulfstreams". Australian Aviation. 7 January 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2016. 
  16. ^ Waldron, Greg (4 January 2016). "L-3 G550 contract suggests new Australian surveillance deal". Flightglobal. 
  17. ^ "new research aircraft HALO successfully completed" (Press release). Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt. 6 December 2007. 
  18. ^ a b "Gulfstream Delivers Four Special Mission Aircraft And Receives Order For One More In 1Q05" (Press release). Gulfstream. April 21, 2005. 
  19. ^ "Israel", Studies (PDF), Institute for National Security Studies (Israel), November 20, 2014 .
  20. ^ "Kuwait - Government Gulfstream G550". planepictures.net. 27 February 2010. 
  21. ^ "Poland selects Gulfstream G550 for VIP transport". Flight Global. 17 November 2016. 
  22. ^ "Singapore confirms new AEW purchase". Flight Global. 1 May 2007. 
  23. ^ "Singapore to Replace Hawkeye With G550 AEW". Defense Update. 
  24. ^ Craig Hoyle (16 September 2008). "Singapore to get additional G550 as AEW trainer". Flight Global. 
  25. ^ "FMV har anskaffat nytt statsflygplan" (in Swedish). Swedish Defence Materiel Administration. 
  26. ^ "5H-ONE". Aircraft Register. Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority. Retrieved 26 December 2014. 
  27. ^ "Turkey picks G550 for command and control mission". Flight Global. 16 December 2008. 
  28. ^ "UK aid cash helped African dictator buy himself a £30m jet". The Daily Mail. 10 June 2011. 
  29. ^ "White House Chief of Staff Card Addresses the Excelgov Conference in Washington, DC". White House. July 16, 2002. 
  30. ^ "C-37A (Gulfstream V) and C-37B (Gulfstream 550)". U.S. Navy. 
  31. ^ "G550 Brochure" (PDF). Gulfstream. July 2016. 
  32. ^ "Gulfstream V in Service For 10 years" (Press release). Gulfstream. June 18, 2007. 

External links[edit]

External image
Gulfstream G550 AEW&C
Hi-res publicity photo of G550 AEW&C and SEMA by Gulfstream Aerospace.
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