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Gulfstream G550

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.

Development

Gulfstream G500

The G500, a variant of the Gulfstream V, was launched in 2002 and certified by the FAA in 2003. 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 the Enhanced Vision System (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.

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 has the longest flight range in its class. 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. The 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 as of 2007.

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

Design

The Cabin pressurization can be maintained at the equivalent of 6,000 feet (1,800 m) altitude 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.

Operators

Civil operators

National Air Services, NAS of Saudi Arabia offers lease and fractional ownership services of Gulfstream G550s in the region. Turkish Airlines ordered one G550 to be delivered in the first quarter of 2009.

Delta AirElite Business Jets provides charter and fractional use of Gulfstream G550 business jets.

NetJets, a Berkshire Hathaway company which offers fractional ownership of G550.

Notable Private Operators

Rush Limbaugh took ownership of a G550 in 2008, which he refers to as "EIB One", A reference to his EIB radio network show, and a play on Air Force One.

Government and military operators

Argentine government has two Gulfstream G550 for VIP transport and the Coast Guard has one Gulfstream G500.

The German Aerospace Center (DLR) ordered a G550 special mission aircraft. The aircraft is dubbed HALO (High-Altitude and LOng-range).

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.

Israel has acquired a number of G550s, fitted with IAI Phalcon radars, for Airborne Early Warning use, named the Eitam aircraft. Also called CAEW (Combined Airbone Early Warning) By Gulfstream Special Missions Department. Israel has also acquired a number of communictions jamming equpied G550's dubbed SEMA (Special Electronic Missions Aircraft).

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has ordered four G550s with the IAI/ELTA EL/M-2075 Phalcon Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) active phased array radar for CAEW duties from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in 2007, these are slated for delivery in 2008 and are expected to be fully operational by 2010.

Sweden operates one G550 for transport of the Royal family and Prime Minister.

The Government of Tanzania acquired one G550 for government related flights in 2004.

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.