Gulfstream G550#Variants
{{short description|Executive transport aircraft family}}
{{About|the GV-SP based G550 and G500|newer G500|Gulfstream G500/G600}}
{{Infobox aircraft
|name=Gulfstream G500/G550
C-37B
|image= File:2010-07-21 G550 NetJets CS-DKE EDDF 01.jpg{{!}}border
|caption=A Netjets Europe G550 business jet on final approach
|type= Business jet
|manufacturer= Gulfstream Aerospace
|national_origin=United States
|designer=
|first_flight=31 August 2001{{cite web |title=Gulfstream V-SP Test Article Makes First Flight Four Weeks Ahead Of Schedule |url=http://www.gulfstreamnews.com/en/news/?id=a3e3e7d1-53cd-4fd9-9004-a85f09388ec0 |website=Gulfstream |access-date=22 September 2024 |date=31 August 2001}}
|introduction= 2004
|retired=
|status= In service
|primary_user= United States Air Force
|more_users= United States Navy
Israeli Air Force
|produced= 2003–2021
|developed_from= Gulfstream V
|developed_into=
|variants= L3Harris EA-37B Compass Call
}}
The Gulfstream G550 is an American business jet aircraft produced by the General Dynamics' Gulfstream Aerospace unit in Savannah, Georgia, US. The certification designation is GV-SP. A version with reduced fuel capacity was marketed as the G500. Gulfstream ceased production of the G550 in July 2021.
The U.S. Military uses the Gulfstream G550 design as the C-37B and EA-37B Compass Call, the related Gulfstream V is the C-37A.
Development
File:Gulfstream Aerospace G-V-SP Gulfstream G550 AN1299906.jpg
The first production G550 (GV-SP) flew on 18 July 2002 and the aircraft received its FAA type certificate on August 14, 2003.{{cite web |url= http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/2d504046f9657ec386257f610074fcfb/$FILE/A12EA_Rev46.pdf |title= Type Certificate date Sheet NO. A12EA, revision 46 |publisher= FAA |date= February 22, 2016 |access-date= June 22, 2016 |archive-date= November 15, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161115025943/http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/2d504046f9657ec386257f610074fcfb/$FILE/A12EA_Rev46.pdf |url-status= dead }}{{cite news |title=Gulfstream's GV-SP Makes First Flight July 18 |url=http://aviationweek.com/gulfstreams-gv-sp-makes-first-flight-july-18 |access-date=15 October 2023 |work=Aviation Week Network |date=29 July 2002}} In 2014, Gulfstream looked at a re-engine with the Rolls-Royce Pearl BR700 development announced in May 2018 for the new Global Express 5500 and 6500 variants but preferred the BR725-powered, 7,500 nmi G650.{{cite news |url= http://aviationweek.com/ebace-2018/whats-radar-gulfstream |title= What's On The Radar For Gulfstream? |date= May 30, 2018 |author= Molly McMillin |work= Aviation Week Network}} The 500th Gulfstream G550 aircraft was delivered in May 2015.{{cite press release |title= Gulfstream Delivers 500th G550 |url=http://www.gd.com/news/press-releases/2015/05/gulfstream-delivers-500th-g550 |publisher= General Dynamics |date= 2015-05-17}}
Deliveries went from 50 aircraft in 2011 to 19 in 2016 and with 40 units for sale in a fleet of 540. Valuations of the G550 are falling: a 10-year-old G550 valued $28 million a year before is worth $18-$20 million in January 2017, while a two-year-old went from $40 to $35 million.{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/analysis-gulfstream-g550-could-bow-out-in-2019-432888/ |title= Gulfstream G550 could bow out in 2019 |date= 18 January 2017 |work= Flight Global}} In May 2017, early 2003 G550s were valued at $14 million against more than $45 million for newly purchased aircraft, flying an average of 425 hours per year.{{cite news |url= http://aviationweek.com/business-aviation/gulfstream-g550-priceperformance-sweet-spot-large-cabin-class |title= Gulfstream G550: Price/Performance Sweet Spot In Large-Cabin Class |date= Apr 27, 2017 |author= Fred George |work= Business & Commercial Aviation |publisher= Aviation Week Network}} In December 2018, a 2012-2013 G550 was valued $28-31 million, and cost $7,135 per hour for 400 hours a year.{{cite news |url= https://sherpareport.com/aircraft/costs-own-g550.html |title= The Costs to Own and Operate a Gulfstream G550 |date= Dec 6, 2018 |author= Nick Copley |work= SherpaReport}}
As it was replaced by the Gulfstream G600 by October 2019, the G550 was kept in limited production for long-term special missions applications and government orders.{{cite news |url= https://aviationweek.com/business-aviation/pilot-report-gulfstream-g600-worthy-successor-g550 |title= Pilot Report: Gulfstream G600 Is A Worthy Successor To The G550 |date= Oct 23, 2019 |author= Fred George |work= Business & Commercial Aviation}}
The final commercially available G550 was delivered in June 2021 after more than 600 of the aircraft were produced.{{cite web |last1=Spruce |first1=Terry |title=GULFSTREAM DELIVERS FINAL G550 BUSINESS JET |url=https://www.corporatejetinvestor.com/news/gulfstream-delivers-final-g550-business-jet/ |website=Corporate Jet Investor |publisher=Specialist Insight |access-date=1 October 2022}}{{cite web |url= https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2021-07-02/gulfstream-g550-production-reaches-end-line |title= Gulfstream G550 Production Reaches End of the Line |publisher= AIN}}
Design
File:Gulfstream G550 flight deck.jpg
Compared to the Gulfstream V, drag reduction details boost range by {{cvt|250|nmi|km}} and increase fuel efficiency. Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) is increased by {{cvt|500|lb}} and takeoff performance is enhanced. A seventh pair of windows is added and the entry door is moved {{cvt|2|ft}} forward to increase usable cabin length. The PlaneView flight deck features cursor control devices, Honeywell Primus Epic avionics, standard head-up guidance system by Rockwell Collins and enhanced vision system by Elbit, improving situational awareness in reduced visibility conditions.
Initial long-range cruise altitude is FL 400-410, first hour fuel burn is {{cvt|4,500-5,000|lb}} decreasing for the second hour to {{cvt|3,000 and 2,400|lb}} for the last hour. Flight hourly budget is $700-950 for engine reserves, $250 for parts and 2.5 maintenance hours. It competes against the Bombardier Global 6000, which has higher direct operating costs and less range but a more spacious cross section, and the Dassault Falcon 7X with fly-by-wire flight controls, better fuel efficiency and a wider but shorter cabin.
Variants
;{{visible anchor|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 G550.
File:N504GS-Gulfstream7-G500-farnborough2016-A1377.jpg
;G500
:The Gulfstream G500 has a reduced fuel capacity. Introduced in 2004 as a shorter {{convert|5800|nmi|km}} range version, it has the same exterior appearance, as well as the PlaneView cockpit, but Visual Guidance System (HUD) and Enhanced Vision System (EVS) are options. Its unit cost was {{AircraftCost|USA|48.25|m||year=2012|ref={{cite web |url= http://awin.aviationweek.com/portals/awin/pdfs/BCAOpPlanningGuide/2012_Production.pdf |title= Operations Planning Guide |work= Business & Commercial Aviation |date= 2012 |publisher= Aviation Week}}}}.
;G550
:Marketing name for the GV-SP. In 2021, its equipped price was $54.5M (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=54500000|start_year=2021}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}).{{cite news |url= https://infogram.com/bca-table-jets-1h8n6m3l3dvqj4x?live |title= Purchase planning handbook - Ultra long-range jets table |date= Second Quarter 2021 |work= Business & Commercial Aircraft}}
File:U.S. Air Force, 09-0525, Gulfstream Aerospace C-37B (27878765353).jpg C-37B.]]
;C-37B
:U.S. military designation for the G550 in a VIP passenger configuration.
:U.S. military designation G550 version in an Electronic Warfare configuration to replace USAF's existing EC-130H Compass Call aircraft.{{cite web|url=https://www.baesystems.com/en/article/moving-compass-call-electronic-warfare-system-to-modern-business-jet|access-date=8 April 2020|title=Moving Compass Call electronic warfare system to modern business jet}}{{cite web | url=https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/l3harris-flies-ec-37b-compass-call-electronic-warfare-jet-for-first-time/145816.article | title=L3Harris flies EC-37B Compass Call electronic warfare jet for first time}} Previously known as EC-37B, on November 14, 2023, Air Combat Command redesignated the platform as EA-37B to better identify its mission of finding and attacking enemy land or sea targets.{{cite web |title= EC-37B Mission Design Series designation change to EA-37B |url=https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3588046/ec-37b-mission-design-series-designation-change-to-ea-37b/ |website=Air Combat Command |date=14 November 2023 |access-date=22 November 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Tirpak |first1=John A. |title=New EC-37B Gets a Designation Change to EA-37B |url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/new-ec-37b-designation-change-ea-37b/ |website=Air & Space Forces Magazine |date=20 November 2023 |access-date=22 November 2023}}
;NC-37B
:U.S. military designation for proposed G550 with the "Conformal AEW" body shape for use as range telemetry aircraft for U.S. Navy.{{cite news |url= http://www.janes.com/article/59202/us-navy-to-customise-g550-aew-airframe-for-range-telemetry-support/ |title= US Navy to customise G550 AEW airframe for range telemetry support |work= Jane's International Defence Review |date= 1 April 2016}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/23448/behold-the-first-official-photo-of-the-navys-new-nc-37b-missile-tracking-bizjet|title=Behold The First Official Photo Of The Navy's New NC-37B Missile Tracking Jet|last=Trevithick|first=Joseph|website=The Drive|date=7 September 2018 |access-date=2018-10-11}}
;MC-55A Peregrine
:Royal Australian Air Force designation for SIGINT and ELINT intelligence gathering variant.{{Cite web|url=http://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/raaf-gets-four-new-ew-aircraft|title=RAAF gets four new EW aircraft - Australian Defence Magazine|website= australiandefence.com.au|language=en|access-date=2019-03-18}}
File:RSAF Gulfstream IAI G550 CAEW (Conformal Airborne Early Warning).jpg radar system]]
;G550 CAEW
:Israel has acquired a number of G550s, fitted with the 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.{{cite web |url= http://www.iai.co.il/2013/33785-36643-en/ELTA.aspx |title= ELW-2085 - CAEW - Conformal Airborne Early Warning & Control |publisher= IAI}} Israel has also acquired a number of G550s dubbed SEMA (Special Electronic Missions Aircraft) with systems EL/I-3001 integration also carried out by IAI.{{Cite news |url= http://mobiledevdesign.com/news/israel-receive-first-three-eitam-aew-aircraft |title= Israel to receive the first of three Eitam AEW aircraft |date=February 13, 2008 |publisher= Penton}} In 2012, Italy acquired two G550 CAEWs as part of a counter-deal to Israel's $1 billion (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=1000000000|start_year=2012}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}) order for 30 Alenia Aermacchi M-346 advanced jet trainers.{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/italy-signs-g550-aew-deal-with-israel-374579/ |title= Italy signs G550 AEW deal with Israel |work= Flight Global |date= 20 July 2012}} In 2022, Italy ordered two additional aircraft.{{cite news |title=Secret NATO Client of Israeli Spy Planes Revealed |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/security-aviation/2022-08-28/ty-article/.premium/secret-nato-client-of-israeli-spy-planes-revealed/00000182-ce84-dfe2-aba3-efeee72f0000 |access-date=10 September 2022 |work=Haaretz |date=28 April 2022}} Singapore ordered four similar G550 CAEW aircraft equipped with the EL/W-2085 sensor package from Gulfstream and IAI.{{cite news |author= Govindasamy, Siva |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/picture-singapore-takes-delivery-of-first-g550-aew-322937/ |title= Singapore takes delivery of first G550 AEW |work= Flight International |date= February 23, 2009}}
;E-550A: Italian military designation for the G550 CAEW{{cite web |date=11 December 2020 |title=Utilizzo della Nomenclatura "Mission Design Series" (MDS) nelle Pubblicazioni Tecniche (PP.TT.) di competenza della DAAA AER(EP).0-0-12 |url=https://www.difesa.it/assets/allegati/35792/aer_ep_0_0_12_em1_ed_24022023.pdf |access-date=14 May 2020 |publisher=Ministero Della Defesa}}
;Air-to-air refueling variant: Israel Aerospace Industries has studied adapting the G550 for air-to-air refueling use.{{cite news |author= Egozi, Arie |url= http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/iai-and-gulfstream-planning-g550-tanker-216019/ |title= IAI and Gulfstream planning G550 tanker |work= Flight International |date= August 13, 2007}}{{cite news |author= Egozi, Arie |url= http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/iai-continues-to-evaluate-g550-for-air-refuelling-351235/ |title= IAI continues to evaluate G550 for air refuelling |work= Flight International |date= December 23, 2010}}
Operators
File:Gulfstream G550.svg{{Main|List of Gulfstream G550 operators}}
The aircraft is operated by numerous governments, private individuals, companies and executive charter operators. A number of companies also use the aircraft as part of fractional ownership programs.
Specifications
File:Gulfstream G500 3-view line drawing.svg
{{Aircraft specs
|prime units?=kts
|crew=2 pilots, 0–2 attendants
|capacity=14–19 passengers / {{cvt|6200|lb|0}} payload
:* Cabin dimensions: height × width × length {{cvt|1.88|x|2.24|x|13.39|m|ftin|order=flip}}; total length including baggage hold: {{cvt|50|ft|1|in|m|2}}
:* Cabin volume: {{cvt|1669|cuft|2}}; usable baggage compartment volume: {{cvt|170|cuft|2}}
:* Cabin altitude: {{cvt|6000|ft|0}}{{cite press release |url= http://gulfstreamnews.com/news/gulfstream-v-in-service-for-10-years |title= Gulfstream V in Service For 10 years |publisher= Gulfstream |date= June 18, 2007 }}
|length ft=96
|length in=5
|length note=
|span ft=93
|span in=6
|span note=
|height ft=25
|height in=10
|height note=
|wing area sqft=
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=
|airfoil=root: NACA 0012; tip: NACA 0012{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website= m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |access-date=16 April 2019}}
|empty weight lb=48300
|empty weight note=
|gross weight lb=54500
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight lb=91000
|max takeoff weight note=
- Maximum landing weight: {{cvt|75300|lb|0}}
|fuel capacity= {{cvt|41300|lb|0}}
|more general=
|eng1 number=2
|eng1 name=Rolls-Royce BR710 C4-11
|eng1 type=turbofan engines
|eng1 lbf=15385
|eng1 note=
|max speed note=
|max speed mach=
|cruise speed kts=
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed kts=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed kts=
|never exceed speed note=
|minimum control speed kts=
|minimum control speed note=
|range nmi=6750
|range note=
- High Speed Cruise: M0.85 at {{cvt|41000|ft}}
- Long Range Cruise: M0.80 at {{cvt|41000|ft}}
- Maximum Mach Operating (MMO): M0.885 at {{cvt|41000|ft}}
|ferry range nmi=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=
|ceiling ft=51000
|ceiling note=
|climb rate ftmin=
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|wing loading lb/sqft=
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|thrust/weight=
|more performance=
- Take-off run: {{cvt|5910|ft}}
- Landing run: {{cvt|2770|ft}}
|avionics=
}}
See also
{{aircontent
|see also=
|related=
|similar aircraft=
- Airbus Corporate Jets
- Boeing Business Jet
- Bombardier Global Express
- Dassault Falcon 7X
- Dassault Falcon 8X
|lists=
}}
References
=Notes=
{{Reflist|35em}}
External links
{{Commons and category|Gulfstream G550}}
- {{Official website|http://www.gulfstream.com/aircraft/gulfstream-g550|Official Gulfstream G550 page}}
- {{cite web |url= http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/g550.htm |title= Gulfstream G550 |publisher= GlobalSecurity.org}}
- {{cite web |url= http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/AcftRef_Results.aspx?Mfrtxt=gulfstream&Modeltxt=g550&pageNo= |publisher= FAA |title= G550 ownership registry by state |access-date= 2010-02-15 |archive-date= 2014-05-12 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140512220324/http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/AcftRef_Results.aspx?Mfrtxt=gulfstream&Modeltxt=g550&pageNo= |url-status= dead }}
{{Gulfstream}}
{{Italian military aircraft}}
{{US transport aircraft}}
{{Current US Coast Guard aircraft}}
Category:1990s United States business aircraft