Gulfstream G550

(Redirected fromGulfstream 550)

TheGulfstream G550is an Americanbusiness jetaircraft produced by theGeneral Dynamics'Gulfstream Aerospaceunit inSavannah, Georgia,US. The certification designation isGV-SP.A version with reduced fuel capacity was marketed as theG500.Gulfstream ceased production of the G550 in July 2021.

Gulfstream G500/G550
C-37B
A Netjets Europe G550 business jet on final approach
General information
TypeBusiness jet
National originUnited States
ManufacturerGulfstream Aerospace
StatusIn service
Primary usersUnited States Air Force
Number built>600[1]
History
Manufactured2003–2021
Introduction date2004
First flight31 August 2001[2]
Developed fromGulfstream V
VariantsL3Harris EA-37B Compass Call

Development

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G550 cabin

The first production G550 (GV-SP) flew on 18 July 2002 and the aircraft received its FAAtype certificateon August 14, 2003.[3][4]In 2014, Gulfstream looked at a re-engine with theRolls-Royce PearlBR700 development announced in May 2018 for the newGlobal Express5500 and 6500 variants but preferred the BR725-powered, 7,500 nmiG650.[5]The 500th Gulfstream G550 aircraft was delivered in May 2015.[6]

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.[7]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.[8]In December 2018, a 2012-2013 G550 was valued $28-31 million, and cost $7,135 per hour for 400 hours a year.[9]

As it was replaced by theGulfstream G600by October 2019, the G550 was kept in limited production for long-term special missions applications and government orders.[10]

The final commercially available G550 was delivered in June 2021 after more than 600 of the aircraft were produced.[11][12]

Design

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G550 flight deck

Compared to the Gulfstream V, drag reduction details boost range by 250 nmi (460 km) and increasefuel efficiency.Maximum takeoff weight(MTOW) is increased by 500 lb (230 kg) and takeoff performance is enhanced. A seventh pair of windows is added and the entry door is moved 2 ft (0.61 m) forward to increase usable cabin length. The PlaneView flight deck featurescursor control devices,Honeywell PrimusEpic avionics, standardhead-up guidance systembyRockwell Collinsandenhanced vision systembyElbit,improvingsituational awarenessinreduced visibility conditions.[8]

Initial long-range cruise altitude is FL 400-410, first hour fuel burn is 4,500–5,000 lb (2,000–2,300 kg) decreasing for the second hour to 3,000 and 2,400 lb (1,400 and 1,100 kg) for the last hour. Flight hourly budget is $700-950 for engine reserves, $250 for parts and 2.5 maintenance hours. It competes against theBombardier Global 6000,which has higher direct operating costs and less range but a more spacious cross section, and theDassault Falcon 7Xwithfly-by-wireflight controls, betterfuel efficiencyand a wider but shorter cabin.[8]

Variants

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GV-SP
The same as theGulfstream V or GVwith a new flightdeck display system, airframe aerodynamic and engine improvements, main entry door moved forward, also marketed as the G550.
G500
The Gulfstream G500 has a reduced fuel capacity.[3]Introduced in 2004 as a shorter 5,800 nautical miles (10,700 km) range version, it has the same exterior appearance, as well as the PlaneViewcockpit,butVisual Guidance System(HUD) andEnhanced Vision System(EVS) are options. Its unit cost wasUS$48.25 million (2012)[13](equivalent toUS$63.31 million in 2023)[14].
G550
Marketing name for the GV-SP. In 2021, its equipped price was $54.5M (~$60.5 million in 2023).[15]
U.S. Air ForceC-37B.
C-37B
U.S. militarydesignation for the G550 in a VIP passenger configuration.
EA-37B Compass Call
U.S. military designation G550 version in an Electronic Warfare configuration to replace USAF's existingEC-130H Compass Callaircraft.[16][17]Previously known as EC-37B, on November 14, 2023,Air Combat Commandredesignated the platform as EA-37B to better identify its mission of finding and attacking enemy land or sea targets.[18][19]
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.[20][21]
MC-55A Peregrine
Royal Australian Air Forcedesignation forSIGINTandELINTintelligence gatheringvariant.[22]
Republic of Singapore Air Force G550 withIAI EL/W-2085radar system
G550 CAEW
Israelhas acquired a number of G550s, fitted with theIAI EL/W-2085sensor package (a newer derivative of thePhalconsystem) forAirborne Early Warning(AEW) use and named the aircraftEitam.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.[23]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.[24]In 2012,Italyacquired two G550 CAEWs as part of a counter-deal to Israel's $1 billion (~$1.31 billion in 2023) order for 30 Alenia AermacchiM-346advanced jet trainers.[25]In 2022, Italy ordered two additional aircraft.[26]Singaporeordered four similar G550 CAEW aircraft equipped with the EL/W-2085 sensor package from Gulfstream and IAI.[27]
E-550A
Italian military designation for the G550 CAEW[28]
Air-to-air refueling variant
Israel Aerospace Industrieshas studied adapting the G550 forair-to-air refuelinguse.[29][30]

Operators

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Gulfstream G550 government and military 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

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Gulfstream G500

Data fromG550 Brochure[31]

General characteristics

  • Crew:2 pilots, 0–2 attendants
  • Capacity:14–19 passengers / 6,200 lb (2,812 kg) payload
  • Cabin dimensions: height × width × length6 ft 2 in × 7 ft 4 in × 43 ft 11 in (1.88 m × 2.24 m × 13.39 m); total length including baggage hold: 50 ft 1 in (15.27 m)
  • Cabin volume:1,669 cu ft (47.26 m3); usable baggage compartment volume: 170 cu ft (4.81 m3)
  • Cabin altitude:6,000 ft (1,829 m)[32]
  • Length:96 ft 5 in (29.39 m)
  • Wingspan:93 ft 6 in (28.50 m)
  • Height:25 ft 10 in (7.87 m)
  • Airfoil:root:NACA0012;tip:NACA 0012[33]
  • Empty weight:48,300 lb (21,909 kg)
  • Gross 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)
  • Fuel capacity:41,300 lb (18,733 kg)
  • Powerplant:2 ×Rolls-Royce BR710C4-11turbofanengines, 15,385 lbf (68.44 kN) thrust each

Performance

  • Range:6,750 nmi (7,770 mi, 12,500 km)
  • High Speed Cruise:M0.85 at 41,000 ft (12,497 m)
  • Long Range Cruise:M0.80 at 41,000 ft (12,497 m)
  • Maximum Mach Operating (MMO):M0.885 at 41,000 ft (12,497 m)
  • Service ceiling:51,000 ft (16,000 m)
  • Take-off run:5,910 ft (1,801 m)
  • Landing run:2,770 ft (844 m)

See also

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Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

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Notes

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  1. ^"Gulfstream G550 Production Reaches End of the Line".AIN.
  2. ^"Gulfstream V-SP Test Article Makes First Flight Four Weeks Ahead Of Schedule".Gulfstream.31 August 2001.Retrieved22 September2024.
  3. ^ab"Type Certificate date Sheet NO. A12EA, revision 46"(PDF).FAA. February 22, 2016. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on November 15, 2016.RetrievedJune 22,2016.
  4. ^"Gulfstream's GV-SP Makes First Flight July 18".Aviation Week Network.29 July 2002.Retrieved15 October2023.
  5. ^Molly McMillin (May 30, 2018)."What's On The Radar For Gulfstream?".Aviation Week Network.
  6. ^"Gulfstream Delivers 500th G550"(Press release). General Dynamics. 2015-05-17.
  7. ^"Gulfstream G550 could bow out in 2019".Flight Global.18 January 2017.
  8. ^abcFred George (Apr 27, 2017)."Gulfstream G550: Price/Performance Sweet Spot In Large-Cabin Class".Business & Commercial Aviation.Aviation Week Network.
  9. ^Nick Copley (Dec 6, 2018)."The Costs to Own and Operate a Gulfstream G550".SherpaReport.
  10. ^Fred George (Oct 23, 2019)."Pilot Report: Gulfstream G600 Is A Worthy Successor To The G550".Business & Commercial Aviation.
  11. ^Spruce, Terry."GULFSTREAM DELIVERS FINAL G550 BUSINESS JET".Corporate Jet Investor.Specialist Insight.Retrieved1 October2022.
  12. ^"Gulfstream G550 Production Reaches End of the Line".AIN.
  13. ^"Operations Planning Guide"(PDF).Business & Commercial Aviation.Aviation Week. 2012.
  14. ^Johnston, Louis; Williamson, Samuel H. (2023)."What Was the U.S. GDP Then?".MeasuringWorth.RetrievedNovember 30,2023.United StatesGross Domestic Product deflatorfigures follow theMeasuringWorthseries.
  15. ^"Purchase planning handbook - Ultra long-range jets table".Business & Commercial Aircraft.Second Quarter 2021.
  16. ^"Moving Compass Call electronic warfare system to modern business jet".Retrieved8 April2020.
  17. ^"L3Harris flies EC-37B Compass Call electronic warfare jet for first time".
  18. ^"EC-37B Mission Design Series designation change to EA-37B".Air Combat Command.14 November 2023.Retrieved22 November2023.
  19. ^Tirpak, John A. (20 November 2023)."New EC-37B Gets a Designation Change to EA-37B".Air & Space Forces Magazine.Retrieved22 November2023.
  20. ^"US Navy to customise G550 AEW airframe for range telemetry support".Jane's International Defence Review.1 April 2016.
  21. ^Trevithick, Joseph (7 September 2018)."Behold The First Official Photo Of The Navy's New NC-37B Missile Tracking Jet".The Drive.Retrieved2018-10-11.
  22. ^"RAAF gets four new EW aircraft - Australian Defence Magazine".australiandefence.au.Retrieved2019-03-18.
  23. ^"ELW-2085 - CAEW - Conformal Airborne Early Warning & Control".IAI.
  24. ^"Israel to receive the first of three Eitam AEW aircraft".Penton. February 13, 2008.
  25. ^"Italy signs G550 AEW deal with Israel".Flight Global.20 July 2012.
  26. ^"Secret NATO Client of Israeli Spy Planes Revealed".Haaretz.28 April 2022.Retrieved10 September2022.
  27. ^Govindasamy, Siva (February 23, 2009)."Singapore takes delivery of first G550 AEW".Flight International.
  28. ^"Utilizzo della Nomenclatura" Mission Design Series "(MDS) nelle Pubblicazioni Tecniche (PP.TT.) di competenza della DAAA AER(EP).0-0-12"(PDF).Ministero Della Defesa. 11 December 2020.Retrieved14 May2020.
  29. ^Egozi, Arie (August 13, 2007)."IAI and Gulfstream planning G550 tanker".Flight International.
  30. ^Egozi, Arie (December 23, 2010)."IAI continues to evaluate G550 for air refuelling".Flight International.
  31. ^"G550 Brochure"(PDF).Gulfstream. July 2016. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2016-08-03.Retrieved2016-07-23.
  32. ^"Gulfstream V in Service For 10 years"(Press release). Gulfstream. June 18, 2007.
  33. ^Lednicer, David."The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage".m-selig.ae.illinois.edu.Retrieved16 April2019.
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