Gulfstream History
The first aircraft in the line was a turboprop – the Grumman Gulfstream I – which could hold 12 passengers and travelled to a range of about 2,000nm. About a decade later the GI was followed by a new business jet model, the Rolls-Royce Spey-powered Gulfstream GII, which had capacity for up to 16 passengers and boosted range to 2,600nm.
In the 1980s, the GII was improved with the Gulfstream GIII, which included an increase of wingspan and fuselage, and the addition of new winglets. The aircraft had a range of just over 3,600nm and was again powered by two Rolls-Royce Spey engines.
Later in the same decade, the Gulfstream GIV was launched, a Large Jet seating up to 16. Cruise drag was reduced through wing modifications, helping take the range to 4,200nm.
An upgraded ‘Special Performance’ Gulfstream GIV-SP was then introduced that increased take-off and landing weights; brought structural improvements to landing gear, anti lock brakes, wheels and tires; and utilized Rolls-Royce Tay 611-8 engines with 15% less fuel burn than on the GIV. The GIV-SP also employed technologies from the larger Gulfstream GV, including a PlaneView cockpit with EVS.
Later renamed the Gulfstream G400, the GIV-SP/G400 was eventually upgraded as the Gulfstream G450 with new engines and FADEC. Meanwhile, the company also produced the Gulfstream G300 and Gulfstream G350 as shorter-range versions of the G400 and G450, respectively.
The Gulfstream GV entered the market in the 1995 as one of the first ultra-long-range business jets, boasting a 6,500nm maximum range. Capable of carrying up to 18 passengers, the GV features Rolls-Royce BR710-A1-10 powerplants, helping it travel quicker than any preceding Gulfstream model.
Next, the 18-passenger Gulfstream G550, a variant of the GV, offered increased trans-oceanic range (6,750nm), owing mostly to reductions in aerodynamic drag, and BR710-C4-11 powerplants. This was introduced in 2003 alongside a shorter-range Gulfstream G500 version.
Comments