Gulfstream G550

Gulfstream G550
Gulfstream G550 on approach for landing
Type:	Business jet
Design country:	United States
Manufacturer:	Gulfstream Aerospace
First flight:	GM: November 28, 1995 G500: 2003? G550: August 31, 2001 as GV-SP
Commissioning:	1998
Production time:	in series production since 1998
Number of pieces:	G500: 10 (as of October 2014) G550: 578 (as of October 2018)

The Gulfstream G550 is a twin-engine business jet from the US manufacturer Gulfstream Aerospace . It was the first business jet with a range of over 10,000 km. With the G500 , a version with unchanged dimensions and a smaller tank capacity was later offered. From 2000 to 2002 the G550 was referred to as the GV-SP . The FAA still lists the G550 as “GV-SP (G550)” and the G500 as “GV-SP (G500)” in its approval lists. In May 2019, 395 GV-SP machines were registered in the USA, six of them of the G500 variant. Since the introduction of the G650in 2012, Gulfstream steadily shut down production of the G550. But even after delivery of the new G500 and G600 began in 2018, the 20-year-old model is currently (2019) still being produced.

history

GV

Gulfstream V from DaimlerChrysler Aviation

The customer's request for an increased range for the implementation of intercontinental flights led to a further development of the GIV that began in 1989 . Gulfstream officially introduced the resulting new GM program in 1992 at the Farnborough Air Show . Compared to the GIV, the GV received new wings and engines, as well as an extended cabin and a larger cockpit, which resulted in a significant increase in performance. Powered by two BMW Rolls-Royce BR700-710A1-10 turbofan engines , the GV made its maiden flight on November 28, 1995. It received its FAA type approval on April 11, 1997 as a further appendix to the original approval A12EA, which has been valid for the GII since 1967.

Changes compared to the G-IV are named there:

• an approximately 15% increased maximum take-off and landing weight
• the maximum operating altitude increases from 45,000 (13,700 m) to 51,000 ft. (15,500 m)
• BMW Rolls-Royce BR700s are now used as drive instead of Rolls-Royce Tay
• Use of FADEC
• Wingspan increased from 74.6 ft. (22.75 m) to 93.5 ft. (28.52 m)
• Extension of the fuselage with a 5 ft. (1.53 m) long section in front of the entry and a 2 ft. (0.61 m) section behind the wing
• about 30% larger tail surfaces
• Use of composite materials for the control surfaces and the thrust reverser

By September 2002, Gulfstream had delivered 193 copies to the GV. More than 80 world records were flown with the Gulfstream V. Some governments also use the machine as state aircraft.

GV-SP

The parent company General Dynamics announced publicly in October 2000 that Gulfstream was working on a further developed variant of the GV called GV-SP. The main differences to the GV were the Honeywell Primus Epic avionic components, which consisted of four 14-inch multifunctional flat screens, two cursor control devices (CCD) arranged on the side of the cockpit and three MC-850 multifunctional control displays (MCDU). In addition, there were changes to the airframe in the form of measures to reduce air resistance. The thrust of the BR700 engines could also be increased and the maximum take-off weight increased by 227 kg. Since the new, modular avionics components are much smaller and lighter, the cabin volume could be increased. This made it possible to move the entrance 61 cm to the front and an additional seventh window on each side.

The first flight of the GV-SP prototype T1 took place on August 31, 2001 and that of the first series-production aircraft in July 2002.

G550

On September 9, 2002, Gulfstream announced a new line of products and a new designation system for its aircraft. The GIV and GIV-SP became the new, slightly modified G300, G400 and G450. Likewise, the G500 and G550 equipped with the BR710 are "new and improved" GV-SPs. In that year, the GV-SP was also renamed the G550. The FAA approved the G550 on August 14, 2003, and the G500 on December 8, 2003. The first G550 was delivered in September 2003 and the first G500 in May 2004.

Compared to the GV-SP, the G500 is slightly lighter and has a smaller tank capacity, while the G550 is slightly heavier and has an unchanged tank capacity. Both G500 and G550 have an improved plane view cockpit with the Honeywell Primus Epic avionics components and four 14-inch screens as central components. Head-up displays (HUD) and the enhanced vision system (EVS) based on infrared sensors are standard equipment of the G550 and are optionally available for the G500. Both samples can be equipped with an IRCM system ( infra-red guided countermeasure devices ).

578 G550s had been manufactured by the end of 2018. How many of them were built as the G500 is not known. After not a single one was delivered as a G500. According to another source, ten G500s were made.

Versions

Civil

GV

Initial version built from 1995 to 2002

GV-SP

A further developed variant of the GV with a longer interior cabin and improved avionics.

G500

like GV-SP, but with lower tank capacity. Head up display and enhanced vision system are optional.

G550

In 2002 the GV-SP was renamed

Atmospheric research

On the basis of a GM, the US National Center for Atmospheric Research operates a machine in the HIAPER program.

The G550 also forms the basis for the HALO atmospheric research aircraft .

Military

C-37A

USAF's C-37A (01-0028)

Name of the US armed forces for the Gulfstream V. The USAF has had nine C-37A since 1998. These serve as VIP people carriers for USAF Chiefs of Staff. A crew of five is responsible for transporting a maximum of 12 people. For this purpose, the C-37 are equipped with a system that allows the secure communication of image, sound and data via radio and satellite. The machines are spread over four squadrons in Andrews Air Force Base (AFB), MacDill AFB (both USA) as well as Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii and Chièvres Air Base in Belgium. The US Navy and the US Coast Guard each procured a C-37A in 2002, and the US Army has had two more machines since mid-2011.

C-37B

US Navy C-37B ( Bureau Number 166376)

Name of the US armed forces for the Gulfstream G550. The USAF initially procured two C-37Bs since 2004 and eight more C-37Bs were ordered in 2020. In 2005 the US Navy began procuring three machines. The US Army also has a C-37B.

RQ-37 UAV

an unrealized version of the G550 as an unmanned aerial vehicle

Gulfstream V 'Nachshon Shavit'

GV "SEMA" Shavit

Since June 2005 a GV version (three machines) has been flying under the name Shavit as Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) platform with the Elta EL / I-3001 electronic system for the Israeli air force. It is called "Special Electronic Mission Aircraft" (SEMA). An unknown number of G550s are also to be used as SEMA aircraft.

Gulfstream G550 CAEW

Singapore's G550 CAEW

By the Israeli Air Force as Eitam called variant is also used for SIGINT duties and referred to as "Conformal Airborne Early Warning" (CAEW) as its active electronically scanned array -Radarantennen not be a separate plate over the fuselage, but aerodynamically to the hull are grown along. The G550 CAEW is a version equipped by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) with the Elta EL / W-2085 radar system , satellite communication systems, four large antennas with electronic beam swivel and operator stations for six people. The Eitam took off on its maiden flight on May 20, 2006 and has been in service with the Israeli Air Force since February 2008 (five machines).

Four copies, based on the Israeli Eitam, are used by the Singapore Air Force .

The Royal Australian Air Force uses five machines in the Intelligence Surveillance, Reconnaissance, Electronic Warfare (ISREW) role.

The Italian Air Force will be the third (two machines) and the Royal Australian Air Force fourth (four, see MC-55A below).

G550 US Navy

The version is structurally based on the G550 CAEW, but has mission equipment for telemetry for use on the US Navy test facilities in Point Mugu .

MC-55A

The MC-55A "Pergrine" is an AEW version of the G550 for the Royal Australian Air Force ; four copies planned

Military users

 Greece

The GV operated by the Greek Air Force

 Israel

 Japan

two GVs for the Japanese Coast Guard

 Kuwait

 Saudi Arabia

 United States

• US Air Force
• US Army
• US Navy
• US Marine Corps
• US Coast Guard

Technical specifications

Gulfstream GV

Parameter	GV	G500	G550
length	29.39 m
span	28.50 m
height	7.87 m
Wing area	105.63 m 2
Empty weight	?	24,721 kg
crew	2
Seats	8 with standard equipment, max. 19th
Maximum payload	?	2,948 kg	2,812 kg
Maximum takeoff weight	41,050 kg	38,601 kg	41,277 kg
Maximum amount of fuel	18,827 kg		18,733 kg
Engines	Two Rolls-Royce BR710 engines with 68.4 kN each
Range	12,040 km (with 2 + 8 passengers)	10,742 km	12,501 km
Top speed	928 km / h	Mach 0.885
Cruising speed	850 km / h	Mach 0.85
Max. Cruising altitude	15,545 m (51,000 ft )
price		$ 36 million	$ 48.9 million

literature

• Francis Rupertson: Classics Compared - Grumman Gulfstream I and Gulfstream Aerospace Gulfstream V . In: AIR International October 1999, pp. 220-229
• René J. Francillon: Success through evolution - Gulfstream and the Grumman connection . In: AIR International February 2004, pp. 16–21

Web links

Commons : Gulfstream V  - collection of images, videos, and audio files

Commons : Gulfstream G550  - collection of images

• Manufacturer website Gulfstream
• Type certification of the Gulfstream GII, GIII, GIV & GV - EASA-TCDS-A.070 (PDF; 444 kB)
• FAI list of records flown with the Gulfstream V.
• Picture G550

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b} Gulfstream had previously delivered 10 aircraft called "G500." Those aircraft, however, were actually GV-SP jets with a different model designation.
2. ↑ ^{a b c} production list at rzjets
3. ↑ FAA Registered G550 and G500 (accessed May 24, 2019)
4. ↑ [1] (accessed on May 24, 2019)
5. ↑ FAA type certification GII to GV (accessed on May 30, 2019)
6. ↑ Gulfstream launches new Gulfstream V-SP (accessed June 4, 2019)
7. ↑ First flight of the GV-SP (accessed on June 4, 2019)
8. ^ Gulfstream News Release 2003
9. ↑ HIAPER Gulfstream V (accessed June 5, 2019)
10. ^ ER Johnson: American Military Transport Aircraft , 2013, p. 338 f.
11. ↑ USAF to acquire additional C-37B VIP / SAM aircraft. Janes, February 3, 2020
12. ↑ Gulfstream G550 Special Mission Aircraft . In: AIR International January 2004, p. 59
13. ↑ CAEW / SIGINT - ISRAEL AIR & SPACE FORCE (accessed June 4, 2019)
14. ^ Nigel Pittaway: Gulfstream Special Mission Aircraft . In: AIR International July 2016, p. 74 f.
15. ↑ Australia to field special mission G550 aircraft, Flightglobal, January 10, 2016 ( Memento of the original from March 6, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  
16. ↑ US Navy to customize G550 AEW airframe for range telemetry support, Janes, March 31, 2016 ( Memento of the original from October 13, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  
17. ^ Greg Waldron: Australia to obtain four G550s equipped for EW mission. In: Flightglobal. March 18, 2020, accessed on April 17, 2020 .