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Gulfstream IV

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Gulfstream IV
The Gulfstream IV is a low-wing aircraft with twin aft-mounted turbofans and a T-tail, here in service of theUnited States Department of Commerce
General information
TypeBusiness jet
ManufacturerGulfstream Aerospace
StatusActive service
Primary usersUnited States Air Force
Number built900+[1]
History
Manufactured1985–2018
First flightSeptember 19, 1985
Developed fromGulfstream III
Developed intoGulfstream V

TheGulfstream IV(orG-IVorGIV) and derivatives are a family oftwinjetaircraft, mainly for private orbusinessuse. They were designed and built byGulfstream Aerospace,aGeneral Dynamicscompany based inSavannah, Georgia,United States,from 1985 until 2018. Aircraft power is provided by twoRolls-Royce RB.183 Tayturbofans.

Upon delivery of the last G450, over 900 GIV/GIV-SP/G450 units had been produced. The last of the G450’s was delivered on 19 January 2018 after 365 deliveries over 12 years, ending a 30-year production run, to be replaced by theG500.[1]

Development

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Executive cabin

Gulfstream, in collaboration withGrumman,began work on the Gulfstream IV in March 1983 as a re-engined, stretched fuselage derivative of theGulfstream III. The first GIV made its maiden flight on September 19, 1985.[2]The model received type certification from the FAA on April 22, 1987.[3]The G-IV entered into service with serial number 1000 in 1987 and was upgraded to the special purposeGIV-SPversion at serial number 1214 in 1993. It was later redesignatedG400at serial number 1500.[4] A shorter range variant was created based on the GIV and given theG300designation in 2002.[2]

In 2001, Gulfstream began work on an improved version of the GIV-SP, originally designatedGIV-X.It was later renamedG450.The G450 is lengthened 1 ft (0.305 m) over the G400 and shares the forward fuselage and larger cockpit of theG550.Following its first flight on 30 April 2003, production of the G450 began in October 2004, replacing the G400. The G450 has better performance and comes with the PlaneView cockpit with four 14-inch (355 mm)liquid crystal displaysand aHead up display(HUD). The shorter rangeG350version of the G450 was developed and received certification in 2004.[5][6]

By 2018, 1990 to 1992 GIVs were for sale at $1.6-4.4 million, 1992 to 1999 GIVSPs were listed for $1.25-5.2 million, 15-year-old G300s and G400s were available for $4.5-7 million and 2006 to 2016 G450s at $9.95-23.75 million.[7]

Design

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G450 updated flight deck

Compared to theGulfstream III,a decision to redesign the wing structure for weight reduction presented an opportunity for an aerodynamic redesign of the wing to reduce cruise drag and increase range. Wing contour modifications had to be restricted to the forward 65% of wing chord so that no redesign of the control surfaces would be necessary. Modification of the inboard wing would have entailed a redesign of the fuselage floor structure, consequently this region of the wing was not modified. Outboard wing modifications were aimed at reducing the peak subcritical pressure coefficient and moving it aft in an effort to reduce shock strength and increase shock sweep.[8]

At 12,420 lbs, theRolls-Royce Tayfanjet engines provided more thrust than the 11,400 lbs of the Gulfstream III. Speed, noise levels, emissions, fuel economy, range, and cargo capacity were also markedly improved over the earlier model.[9]

The Gulfstream IV wing has a weaker, more swept outboard shock resulting in a lower cruise drag. Other benefits arising from this design are a lower root bending moment due to the more inboard center of pressure, a lower stall speed due to washout and a larger fuel volume due to increased chord. These aerodynamic improvements result in an increase in range of over 300 nautical miles.[10] In addition to the wing redesign, the Gulfstream IV also became the first business jet to have an entire glass cockpit.[11]

The G400 has a large cabin, long range of 4,350 nautical miles (8,060 km) and the same comfort and design that characterize the G series. Maximum cruise height and speed are 45,000 ft andMach0.85. Earlier models were fitted with Honeywell's SPZ 8000 Avionics package. The SPZ 8400 Avionics Package was an option, becoming standard on later models. Its second-hand price was below $15 million (~$20.7 million in 2023) in 2009.[4]Gulfstream had also considered making a 5.5 m (18 ft) longer, 24-27 seat model for airline use.[9]

Operational history

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NOAA's GIV andWP-3

TheNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA) operates a GIV-SP (N49RF) modified to flyscientistsand crew members at 45,000 feet aroundtropical cyclones.The aircraft was modified to drop instruments called "dropsondes"to measure windspeed,barometric pressure,humidity,and temperature as they fall to the surface of the ocean. By sampling the cyclone with these dropsondes over a 4,000 mile track around the storm, the forecasters at NOAA'sNational Hurricane CenterandHurricane Research Divisioncan better predict where the hurricane will be "steered" by the upper level winds. They also predictwind shearthat will either increase or decrease a hurricane's strength. The GIV-SP is suited for this mission since it is fast, and can fly long distances with ample cabin space for the crew and instruments.[12]In 2009, the NOAA GIV-SP was further modified by the addition of a side-scanningDoppler weather radarto the rear fuselage. This radar is used for storm cloud profiling.[13]

In June 1987 a Gulfstream IV set 22 world records in its class in flying west around the world in 45 hr 25 min. The next year another GIV set 11 world records flying east around the world.[14]In 1990, GulfstreamCEOAllen Paulsonand a Gulfstream flight crew set 35 international records for around-the-world flight in a GIV.[15]

Variants

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C-20F/G/H/J military variants

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U.S. ArmyC-20F

The U.S. military variant of the IV, designatedC-20F/G/H/J Gulfstream IVinDepartment of Defenseservice.[16]TheC-20Fis a GIV model operated by theU.S. Armyin a command/executive transport role.

TheC-20Gaircraft[17]may be configured for cargo operations, 26 passenger operations or combinations of the two. With passengers seats removed, it may be configured as three pallets with no passengers or two pallets and eight passengers or one pallet and fourteen passengers. With full seating, the aircraft is capable of accommodating up to twenty-six passengers and a crew of four. A hydraulically operated cargo door is installed on the starboard side of the aircraft, and a ball roller cargo floor is capable of accommodatingpalletized cargo.The C-20G was operated by Fleet Logistics Support Squadron Four Eight (VR-48) atNaval Air Facility,Andrews Air Force Base,Maryland before its 2012 deactivation. It is operated by VMR Detachment Kaneohe Bay,Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay,Marine Corps Base Hawaii.[18]The C-20G is also known as the "Grey Ghost"[19]

TheC-20His a GIV-SP model operated by theU.S. Air Forcein a command/executive transport role. TheC-20Jis a GIV-SP model operated by the U.S. Army in a command/executive transport role.

TheUnited States Department of DefenseC-20A/B/C/D/E aircraft are allGulfstream IIIvariants.

G350/G450

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The G450 (GIV-X) is 12 in (30 cm) longer and the main door is moved aft, it has updated engines, flight deck and systems.

TheG450is a designation for the modelGIV-X,approved by the FAA on August 12, 2004, as is theG350,which has a reduced fuel capacity. Compared to theGulfstream IV,its fuselage is 12 inches longer and the main entry door relocated aft. TheRolls-Royce Tay611 engines are replaced by 611-8Cs with FADEC, redesigned thrust reversers, nacelles and pylons which increases range and payload, coupled with aerodynamic improvements. ManyGulfstream V-SPimprovements are used: theHoneywelladvanced flight deck display suite, electrical power generation, cabin temperature control and pressurization, nose and nose landing gear. It also has an improved APU and flap/stab actuation system, redesigned main landing gear wheels and brakes, flight control system hard-over protection system.[3]

By the end of the G450 production run, 365 aircraft were produced, with prices ranging from $15 million to $32 million.[20]

Operators

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Civil operators

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Gulfstream IVAir Ambulance

The aircraft is operated by private individuals, companies and executive charter operators, and infractional ownership programs.

Government and military operators

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A Gulfstream IV of theRoyal Netherlands Air Force
Japan Air Self-Defense ForceU-4

Brunei

Chile
Ivory Coast
Japan
Malaysia
Netherlands
Pakistan
Saudi Arabia
Sweden
Tanzania
United States

Former military operators

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Ireland
Uganda
  • The Government ofUgandapurchased one G-IV SP in December 2000 at a cost of US$31.5 million for Presidential flights. It was replaced in February 2009 by aG550.[29]

Specifications

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3-view line drawing of the Gulfstream IV-SP
3-view line drawing of the Gulfstream IV-SP
Passenger Layout

See also

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Related development

Related lists

References

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Citations

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  1. ^abSarsfield, Kate (2018-01-23)."Gulfstream launches G500 global demo tour".Flightglobal.
  2. ^abFrawley, Gerald. "Gulfstream IV, G300 & G400".The International Directory of Civil Aircraft, 2003/2004.Fishwick, Act: Aerospace Publications, 2003.ISBN1-875671-58-7.
  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. ^ab"Gulfstream IV".Business and Commercial Aviation.Aviation Week. January 2009.
  5. ^Gerzanics, Michael (22 November 2004)."Flight Test: Gulstream [sic] G450 – Heir Apparent".Flight Global.Retrieved15 October2023.
  6. ^Velocci, Tony (22 October 2016)."G450 Production Coming To An End".Forbes.Retrieved15 October2023.
  7. ^Huber, Mark (December 2018)."For many models, market hitting the apex"(PDF).Aviation International News.pp. 20–21, 24. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2018-12-27.Retrieved2018-12-27.
  8. ^Chandrasekharan, R.M., Murphy, W.R., Taverna, F.P. and Boppe, C.W., "Computational Aerodynamic of the Gulfstream IV Wing", AIAA paper 85-0427, presented at the AIAA 23rd Aerospace Sciences Meeting, Reno Nevada, January 1985.
  9. ^abSmith, David C. (March 1986). "Everybody takes a number".Ward's Auto World.22(3). Ward's Communications: 36.
  10. ^Boppe, Charles W., "Computational Aerodynamic Design: X-29, the Gulfstream Series and a Tactical Fighter", SAE paper 851789, 1985 Wright Brothers Award Paper, presented at the Aerospace Technology Conference & Exposition, Long Beach California, October 1985.
  11. ^Thomas, Joel (19 May 2014)."History of the Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation".stratos jet charters.
  12. ^"Gulfstream IV-SP (G-IV)Archived2007-02-18 at theWayback Machine."National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrationweb site.
  13. ^Picture of the Gulfstream Aerospace G-IV Gulfstream IV-SP aircraftRetrieved 1 November 2011.
  14. ^"Gulfstream Aerospace G-IV".airliners.net
  15. ^Lacy, Clay."Clay Lacy on Allen Paulson".Clay Lacy.Retrieved19 August2014.
  16. ^DoD 4120-15L,Model Designation of Military Aerospace Vehicles.US DoD, 12 May 2004.
  17. ^"Aviation Photo #0606801: Gulfstream Aerospace C-20G Gulfstream IV (G-IV) - USA - Navy".Airliners.net.
  18. ^Wings of Gold, Vol. 36, No. 3, Fall 2011, Association of Naval Aviation, Alexandria, VA, pp.18-21
  19. ^The Grey GhostArchived2011-07-04 at theWayback MachineHawaii Reporter: Dispatches from the War on Terrorism, September 24, 2004
  20. ^George, Fred (November 24, 2014)."An Operational Look at: Gulfstream's G450".Business & Commercial Aviation.
  21. ^ab"jeteditor.com".ww38.jeteditor.com.
  22. ^abcdefgh"World Air Forces 2022".Flightglobal Insight. 2022.Retrieved15 April2022.
  23. ^Cooper et al. 2011,p. 225
  24. ^"Gulfstream IV"(in Dutch). Netherlands Ministry of Defence.Retrieved17 October2019.
  25. ^"Aviation Photo #6744749: Gulfstream Aerospace G-IV Gulfstream IV-SP - Pakistan - Air Force".
  26. ^https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-news/sweden-sends-surveillance-aircraft-to-eastern-mediterranean
  27. ^Cooper et al. 2011,p. 232
  28. ^"Government jet sold for €462k".March 30, 2015 – via www.rte.ie.{{cite journal}}:Cite journal requires|journal=(help)
  29. ^"Museveni's Shs88 Billion Jet Arrives".The Observer (Uganda).February 2009. Archived fromthe originalon 18 June 2015.Retrieved19 May2015.
  30. ^abFrawley, Gerard."Gulfstream Aerospace G-IV Gulfstream IV".The International Directory of Civil Aircraft.Technical Data & Specifications.
  31. ^"G350 Specifications".Gulfstream. 2010.
  32. ^"G450 Specifications"(PDF).Gulfstream. September 2015.

Bibliography

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  • Cooper, Tom; Weinert, Peter; Hinz, Fabian; Lepko, Mark (2011).African MiGs, Volume 2: Madagascar to Zimbabwe.Houston: Harpia Publishing.ISBN978-0-9825539-8-5.
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