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Gulfstream History

 

Founded in 1958, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), is The World Standard in business aviation. The company has produced more than 1,500 aircraft for corporate, government, private and military customers around the world. The company’s flagship products -- the Gulfstream G150, the Gulfstream G200, the Gulfstream G350, the Gulfstream G450, the Gulfstream G500, and the Gulfstream G550 -- are the world’s most technologically advanced business jet aircraft. More than one-quarter of Fortune 500 companies operate Gulfstream aircraft.

On September 9, 2002, at the 2002 National Business Aviation Association Meeting and Convention, Gulfstream introduced a broad new product line, including new designations, consisting of the Gulfstream G100, Gulfstream G150, Gulfstream G200, Gulfstream G300, Gulfstream G400, Gulfstream G500 and the Gulfstream G550. The Gulfstream G450 was added to the fleet at the 2003 National Business Aviation Association Meeting and Convention. In February 2004 Gulfstream introduced the Gulfstream G350, its newest addition to the fleet, at Asian Aerospace, Singapore.

In 1997, Gulfstream introduced a new era in the history of business aviation with the Gulfstream V, the world’s first ultra-long-range business jet. The Gulfstream V features the most sophisticated technology available to support the rigorous demands of intercontinental missions and is the first civil aviation aircraft to be equipped with the FAA-certified Gulfstream Enhanced Vision System™ (EVS). From the unique engine performance and advanced communications capabilities to the cabin that offers maximum passenger comfort and productivity, the Gulfstream V continues the Gulfstream legacy of innovation and quality. Powered by two Rolls-Royce BR710 turbofan engines, the Gulfstream V’s ability to travel non-stop for 6,500 nautical miles and at speeds up to Mach 0.885 sets The World Standard for world travel. Now in its eighth year of customer service, the Gulfstream V routinely flies non-stop from Aspen to Frankfurt, London to Hong Kong, Beijing to New York, and Moscow to Los Angeles. In February 1998, Gulfstream and the GV Industry Team were awarded the prestigious 1997 Robert J. Collier Trophy by the National Aeronautic Association. To date, there are more than 188 Gulfstream Vs in service worldwide. The Gulfstream V, which has set more than 80 world and national records, ended production with the 193rd aircraft in December 2002 when the production line transitioned to the G500 and G550.

In October 2000, Gulfstream announced the next-generation Gulfstream, the GV-SP, the natural evolution of the greatest aircraft ever built. The GV-SP offers extended range, the largest cabin area in the ultra-long-range business jet aircraft class, additional usable baggage volume, a greater weight allowance and the PlaneView cockpit with the most advanced avionics suite in the industry. Roll-out of the first test article was in August 2001 and the GV-SP prototype made its first flight on August 31, 2001, four weeks ahead of schedule. In September 2002, Gulfstream introduced its new product line and the designation for this aircraft became the Gulfstream G550. On August 14, 2003, the G550 received both a type certificate and a production certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The Gulfstream IV was introduced in 1985 and the Gulfstream IV-SP was introduced in 1993. It is the world’s best-selling, large-cabin business jet aircraft. It enjoys an impressive record for technical performance, comfort, safety and reliability. There are 535 GIV/GIV-SP/G300/G400 aircraft in worldwide service. To date, the GIV/GIV-SP fleet has accumulated more than two million hours of flight time and boasts an impressive dispatch reliability rate of over 99.8 percent. The GIV and GIV-SP hold over 70 Gulfstream’s History world and national records. On December 3, 2002, Gulfstream rolled out its 500th GIV aircraft officially ending the GIV-series. This date also marked the official start of the production of the new Gulfstream G400 and Gulfstream G300. In July 2003, the G400 and G300 both received Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) validation. The G300 and the G400 have now been replaced by the new PlaneView cockpit equipped G350 and G450.

More than 152 government and military Gulfstream aircraft are in service with 35 nations in a variety of roles including photo reconnaissance, maritime surveillance, medical evacuation, weather research and astronaut training. The Gulfstream IV-SP and the Gulfstream V’s robust construction, versatility and reputation for reliability allow these aircraft to be adapted for use as special mission aircraft. For example, a Gulfstream IV-SP is used as a hurricane tracker for the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Most recently, Gulfstream delivered a special mission GV aircraft to University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR). This aircraft will be available for use by environmental and atmospheric scientists for high-altitude atmospheric research. The large cabin and efficient short-field takeoff performance of the GIV-SP and the GV also make them popular for medical evacuations.

The Gulfstream fleet expanded significantly in June 2001 when General Dynamics acquired Galaxy Aerospace Company, LP. General Dynamics acquired the Galaxy and Astra SPX aircraft and assigned responsibility for marketing, servicing and supporting them to Gulfstream. The Astra SPX, rebranded the Gulfstream G100 and the Galaxy, rebranded the Gulfstream G200, made their debut at the 2001 Paris Air Show. The addition of the G100 and G200 enabled Gulfstream to offer a fleet of business jet aircraft capable of meeting a broader range of mission requirements ranging from the mid-size to the ultra-long-range market segments. Recently, the 22-year production run of the G100 transitioned to Gulfstream’s newest business jet, the wider-cabin, longer-range G150.

The Gulfstream Fleet Today
The Gulfstream product line today offers an exceptional combination of price, performance and value-added customer preferences in each segment of the business jet market.

The large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G550 is the most technically advanced aircraft of the fleet and can fly up to 51,000 feet at speeds up to Mach .885. Powered by two Rolls-Royce BR710 engines, the G550 can fly eight passengers and four crewmembers 6,750 nautical miles – the longest range available in a business jet. The G550 also features the PlaneView™ cockpit with the most advanced avionics suite in the industry. The large-cabin, ultra-long-range G550’s standard equipment includes the Gulfstream Enhanced Vision System and the Gulfstream Signature Cursor Control Devices. The fully equipped G550 offers a choice of cabin layouts and well-planned option packages. Customization packages are also available on the G550. Dependent upon the configuration, the G550 can accommodate 14 to 18 passengers. In January 2006, the G550, G500, G450 and G350 business jets all received certification by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

The large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G500, powered by two Rolls-Royce BR710 engines, can fly 5,800 nautical miles with eight passengers at a cruising speed of Mach .80. The G500’s required takeoff distance is only 5,150 feet. Owners of the Gulfstream G500 will enjoy a wide range of selections that include multiple cabin layouts with configurations to accommodate 14 to 18 passengers. Standard equipment and option packages combined with the proven reliability, safety, comfort and performance, offer an exceptional combination of features that serve to enhance the customer’s ability to tailor the aircraft to meet individual mission needs. On January 11, 2005, the G500 received validation from both the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA). The first G500 entered service in May 2004.

The large-cabin, long-range Gulfstream G450 business jet, which was introduced at the 2003 National Business Aviation Association’s annual meeting, is an entire aircraft upgrade of an already outstanding business jet, the Gulfstream GIV/GIV-SP/G400. With the ability to accommodate 12 to 16 passengers, travel 4,350 nautical miles and cruise at speeds up to Mach .88, the G450 can handle domestic and international flights with equal ease. Powered by upgraded Tay 611-8C Rolls-Royce engines, combined with aerodynamic and material improvements, its flight and performance characteristics provide greater fuel efficiency and lower operating costs. The G450 features the PlaneView™ cockpit with the most advanced avionics suite in the industry as well as Gulfstream’s Enhanced Vision System. Every G450 is backed by an excellent warranty and by award-winning service and product support. On August 12, 2004, the G450 received a type certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The G450 received both its European Aviation Safety Agency type certificate and Federal Aviation Administration production type certificate in November 2004. Gulfstream commenced customer deliveries during the second quarter of 2005.

The large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G350 offers the most cabin volume, the best performance and the largest number of standard features compared to any aircraft in its class. Powered by two Rolls-Royce Tay 611-8C engines, the G350 has the ability to accommodate 12-16 passengers, travel at a maximum range of 3,800 nautical miles and cruise at speeds up to Mach .88. Like the large-cabin, long-range Gulfstream G450, the G350 features the exclusive PlaneView™ cockpit. Available as optional equipment on the G350 are the next-generation Visual Guidance System, Honeywell Head-Up Display (HUD) and Gulfstream’s Enhanced Vision System (EVS). In November 2004, the G350 received both a type certificate and a production certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In addition, the G350 received validation by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on March 30, 2005. The first Gulfstream G350 entered service in June 2005.

The large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G200 accommodates up to 10 passengers and offers outstanding performance with its excellent climb, high-cruising altitude, high-speed, long-range and short-landing capabilities. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW 306A engines, the G200 is able to fly at speeds up to Mach .85 and at cruising altitudes up to 45,000 feet. Since joining the Gulfstream fleet, the G200 has benefited from improvements, including reduced exceptions at delivery, decreased completions cycle time and an aggressive weight-reduction program. The G200 offers several layout options and a competitive warranty. This large-cabin, mid-range aircraft can be tailored to meet individualized mission requirements. On August 30, 2004, the one-hundredth G200 was rolled out. Today, G200s are in service throughout the world – in Europe, Asia and both North and South America. The G200 received a type certificate from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on September 7, 2004.

Rounding out the Gulfstream fleet is the wide-cabin, high-speed Gulfstream G150. Announced in September 2002, the G150 remains on schedule for customer deliveries in the third quarter of 2006. Powered by two fuel-efficient Honeywell 731 engines, the wide-cabin, high-speed Gulfstream G150 will offer the best performance in its class with a range of 2,950 nautical miles. Available in three configurations, this aircraft can accommodate six to eight passengers comfortably. The wide-cabin features stand-up headroom, ample aisle space, and generous seated headroom and legroom. G150 benefits include competitive warranty, training and maintenance programs. On January 18, 2005, the first G150 business jet rolled out of the Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) manufacturing facility in Tel Aviv, Israel and successfully completed its first flight on May 3, 2005. The G150 received type certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of Israel and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration on November 7, 2005.

For the past 48 years, Gulfstream has achieved a reputation for outstanding quality and performance. In addition to Gulfstream’s expanded product line, Gulfstream offers a family of programs and services that meet the aviation needs of its customers. From comprehensive management, service and product support networks, Gulfstream strives to enhance the productivity, safety and accessibility of its aircraft and continues to set The World Standard in business aviation.

Notable examples of this commitment are:

The certification in September 2001 by the Federal Aviation Administration of the Gulfstream Enhanced Vision System (EVS) – the first system of its kind to be certified by the FAA. The Gulfstream EVS dramatically improves a pilot’s overall situational awareness and addresses key elements of the FAA’s Safer Skies Initiative.

In May 2002 Gulfstream introduced Airborne Product Support, a dedicated G100 aircraft available 24/7/365 to transport technicians and parts to assist customers return their aircraft to operational status when commercial transportation methods are not readily available or would be too time consuming.

On August 14, 2003, Gulfstream Aerospace achieved a major milestone in its corporate strategy to be first to market with an ultra-long-range business jet aircraft that surpassed previous models by offering measurable safety enhancements and practical, applicable and break-through advances in aerospace technology. On that one day, Gulfstream…

  • received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Type Certification for the new large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G550.
  • received FAA Production Certification for the new aircraft, the first time in memory that both Type and Production certificates were presented on the same day.
  • marked the first time that the state-of-the-art PlaneView™ cockpit, incorporating Honeywell’s Primus Epic® avionics, was included in the certification
  • marked the first time that Gulfstream’s award-winning, FAA-certified, Enhanced Vision System (EVS) was included as standard equipment in the certification.

On February 20, 2004, the Gulfstream G550 team was selected for the 2003 Robert J. Collier award, the most prestigious aviation/aerospace award in the United States. This is the second time Gulfstream has received the Collier award. The first was in 1997 for the GV Industry Team.

Mailing Address:
Gulfstream Aerospace
500 Gulfstream Road
Savannah, Georgia 31407 USA

Contact Gulfstream at:

(912) 965-3000
or info@gulfstream.com

Document last modified Friday, July 07, 2006

 
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