Gulfstream G550

The Gulfstream G550 is a business jet aircraft produced by General Dynamics' Gulfstream Aerospace unit in Savannah, Georgia, US. The certification designation is GV-SP. As of January 2016, there were 450 G550s in service.[4] The final G550 commercially available unit is to be delivered in 2021.[5] A version of the airplane with reduced fuel capacity was marketed as the G500.

This article is about the GV-SP based G500. For current G500, see Gulfstream G500/G600.
Gulfstream G500/G550
C-37B
A Netjets Europe G550 business jet on final approach
Role Business jet
National origin United States
Manufacturer Gulfstream Aerospace
Introduction 2004
Status In service
Primary users United States Air Force
United States Navy
Israeli Air Force
Netjets
Produced 2003–present
Number built 600 by December 2019[1]
Unit cost
G500: US$48.25 million (2012)[2]
G550: US$61.5 million (2017)[3]
Developed from Gulfstream V

Development
G550 cabin

The G550 (GV-SP) with improved engines received its FAA type certificate on August 14, 2003.[6] 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.[7] The 500th Gulfstream G550 aircraft was delivered in May 2015.[8]

As it is replaced by the $54.5 million Gulfstream G600 with a lower 6,200 nmi range but with a better cabin and cockpit, faster long range cruise and lower fuel burn, it could leave production in 2019. Deliveries went from 50 aircraft in 2011 to 19 in 2016 and with 40 units for sale in a fleet of 540, its valuation 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.[9] In May 2017, early 2003 G550s are valued $14 million against more than $45 million new, flying an average of 425 h per year.[10] In December 2018, a 2012-2013 G550 is valued $28-31 million, and it costs $7,135 per hour for 400 hours a year.[11]

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.[12]

Design
G550 flight deck

Compared to the Gulfstream V, drag reduction details boost range by 250 nmi (460 km) and increase fuel 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 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.[10]

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 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.[10]

Variants
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 G-550.
G500
The Gulfstream G500 has a reduced fuel capacity.[6] 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 PlaneView cockpit, but Visual Guidance System (HUD) and Enhanced Vision System (EVS) are options.
G550
Marketing name for the GV-SP.
U.S. Air Force C-37B.
C-37B
U.S. military designation for the G550 in a VIP passenger configuration.
EC-37B
U.S. military designation for proposed G550 version in an Electronic Warfare configuration to replace USAF's existing EC-130H Compass Call aircraft.[13]
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.[14][15]
MC-55A Peregrine
Royal Australian Air Force designation for SIGINT and ELINT intelligence gathering variant.[16]
Republic of Singapore Air Force G550 with IAI EL/W-2085 radar system
G550 CAEW
Israel has acquired a number of G550s, fitted with the IAI 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.[17] Israel has also acquired a number of G550s dubbed SEMA (Special Electronic Missions Aircraft) with systems integration also carried out by IAI.[18] Italy has acquired 2 G550 CAEW as part of a counter-deal to Israel's $1 billion order for 30 Alenia Aermacchi M-346 advanced jet trainers.[19] Singapore ordered four similar G550 CAEW aircraft equipped with the EL/W-2085 sensor package from Gulfstream and IAI.[20]
E-550A
Italian military designation for the G550 CAEW[21]
Air-to-air refueling variant
Israel Aerospace Industries has studied adapting the G550 for air-to-air refueling use.[22][23]

Operators
Gulfstream G550 taxiing

Civil operators

The aircraft is operated by private individuals, companies and executive charter operators. A number of companies also use the aircraft as part of fractional ownership programs.

Government and military operators
 Australia
  • In late 2015 the RAAF ordered two Gulfstream G550 aircraft to be delivered by 30 November 2017. The aircraft will be used for SIGINT and ELINT intelligence gathering.[24] It is reported that the aircraft will possibly form the replacement for the electronic intelligence-gathering role performed by two of the RAAF's AP-3 Orions.[24][25] In June 2017, the sale was approved and the United States confirmed that Australia was interested in purchasing up to five airframes, to be delivered in two tranches from the early 2020s.[26][27] In March 2019, the Minister for Defence and Minister for Defence Industry in a joint statement announced the procurement of four modified Gulfstream G550 aircraft for use in electronic warfare missions. The aircraft, to be designated MC-55A Peregrine in Australian service, are to be modified in the U.S. and delivered to RAAF Base Edinburgh in a deal worth US$ 1.7 billion.[28]
HALO flies over smoke creating wake vortices
 Germany
  • German Aerospace Center (DLR) - one G550 special mission aircraft. The aircraft is dubbed HALO (High Altitude and Long Range Research Aircraft). The aircraft's primary objective is to explore the atmosphere and its carbon cycle. Its unique configuration allows a flying altitude of more than 15 kilometers (49,500 feet), a range of more than 8,000 kilometers, and a load capacity of three tons.[29][30]
 Israel
  • Israeli Air Force - two Eitam CAEW (Conformal Airborne Early Warning) and Three Shavit SEMA (Special Electronic Missions Aircraft) aircraft[31]
 Italy
 Kuwait
  • State of Kuwait - one Gulfstream G550 in service[33] for transport of the Royal family.[34]
 Poland
 Singapore
 Sweden
 Tanzania
 Turkey
 Uganda
  • Government of Uganda - one G550 in use for Presidential flights since February 2009. It replaced a Gulfstream IV-SP that had been in service since 2000.
A USAF C-37B at Yokota Air Base, Japan
 United States

Specifications
Gulfstream G500

Data from G550 Brochure[46]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2 pilots, 0–2 attendants
  • Capacity: 14–19 passengers / 6,200 lb (2,812 kg) payload
  • Cabin dimensions:height x width x length 6 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)[47]
  • Length: 96 ft 5 in (29.39 m)
  • Wingspan: 93 ft 6 in (28.50 m)
  • Height: 25 ft 10 in (7.87 m)
  • 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 BR710 C4-11 turbofan engines, 15,385 lbf (68.44 kN) thrust each

Performance

  • Range: 6,750 nmi (7,770 mi, 12,500 km)
  • Maximum speed: M0.85 at 41,000 ft (12,497 m)
  • Cruise speed: M0.8 at 41,000 ft (12,497 m)
  • Never exceed speed: 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)
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See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References
  1. "Gulfstream delivers 600th G550" (Press release). Gulfstream. December 23, 2019.
  2. "Operations Planning Guide" (PDF). Business & Commercial Aviation. Aviation Week. 2012.
  3. Fred George (21 August 2017). "Gulfstream G600 Update: No Hiccups Nine Months After First Flight". Aviation Week.
  4. "The Gulfstream G550". Gulfstream.
  5. "Gulfstream Sells Last Commercially Available G550" (Press release). Gulfstream. June 17, 2020.
  6. "Type Certificate date Sheet NO. A12EA, revision 46" (PDF). FAA. February 22, 2016.
  7. Molly McMillin (May 30, 2018). "What's On The Radar For Gulfstream?". Aviation Week Network.
  8. "Gulfstream Delivers 500th G550" (Press release). General Dynamics. 2015-05-17.
  9. "Gulfstream G550 could bow out in 2019". Flight Global. 18 January 2017.
  10. Fred George (Apr 27, 2017). "Gulfstream G550: Price/Performance Sweet Spot In Large-Cabin Class". Business & Commercial Aviation. Aviation Week Network.
  11. Nick Copley (Dec 6, 2018). "The Costs to Own and Operate a Gulfstream G550". SherpaReport.
  12. Fred George (Oct 23, 2019). "Pilot Report: Gulfstream G600 Is A Worthy Successor To The G550". Business & Commercial Aviation.
  13. "Moving Compass Call electronic warfare system to modern business jet". Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  14. "US Navy to customise G550 AEW airframe for range telemetry support". Jane's International Defence Review. 1 April 2016.
  15. Trevithick, Joseph. "Behold The First Official Photo Of The Navy's New NC-37B Missile Tracking Jet". The Drive. Retrieved 2018-10-11.
  16. "RAAF gets four new EW aircraft - Australian Defence Magazine". www.australiandefence.com.au. Retrieved 2019-03-18.
  17. "ELW-2085 - CAEW - Conformal Airborne Early Warning & Control". IAI.
  18. "Israel to receive the first of three Eitam AEW aircraft". Penton. February 13, 2008.
  19. "Italy signs G550 AEW deal with Israel". Flight Global. 20 July 2012.
  20. Govindasamy, Siva (February 23, 2009). "Singapore takes delivery of first G550 AEW". Flight International.
  21. "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. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  22. Egozi, Arie (August 13, 2007). "IAI and Gulfstream planning G550 tanker". Flight International.
  23. Egozi, Arie (December 23, 2010). "IAI continues to evaluate G550 for air refuelling". Flight International.
  24. "Defence confirms acquisition of two ISR and EW Gulfstreams". Australian Aviation. 7 January 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  25. Waldron, Greg (4 January 2016). "L-3 G550 contract suggests new Australian surveillance deal". Flightglobal.
  26. "US approves sale of modified G550 for RAAF". Australian Aviation. 28 June 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  27. Stewart, Cameron (28 June 2017). "US hails $1.7bn Gulfstream spy plane sale to Australia". The Australian. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  28. Waldron, Greg (18 March 2019). "Australia to obtain four G550s equipped for EW mission". FlightGlobal. Singapore. Archived from the original on 18 March 2019. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
  29. "new research aircraft HALO successfully completed" (Press release). Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt. 6 December 2007.
  30. "Gulfstream Delivers Four Special Mission Aircraft And Receives Order For One More In 1Q05" (Press release). Gulfstream. April 21, 2005.
  31. "Israel" (PDF), Studies, Institute for National Security Studies (Israel), November 20, 2014, archived from the original (PDF) on November 24, 2015.
  32. Egozi, Arie (23 January 2018). "Italy receives second G550 for AEW duties". Flight Global. Tel Aviv. Archived from the original on 23 January 2018. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  33. "Kuwait - Government Gulfstream G550". planepictures.net. 27 February 2010.
  34. "Gulfstream GVSP". Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  35. "Poland selects Gulfstream G550 for VIP transport". Flight Global. 17 November 2016.
  36. Wilk, Remigiusz (21 June 2017). "Poland receives first G550 VIP jet". IHS Jane's 360. Warsaw. Archived from the original on 24 June 2017. Retrieved 24 June 2017.
  37. "Singapore confirms new AEW purchase". Flight Global. 1 May 2007.
  38. "Singapore to Replace Hawkeye With G550 AEW". Defense Update. Archived from the original on 2008-09-05. Retrieved 2007-05-10.
  39. Craig Hoyle (16 September 2008). "Singapore to get additional G550 as AEW trainer". Flight Global.
  40. "FMV har anskaffat nytt statsflygplan" (in Swedish). Swedish Defence Materiel Administration.
  41. "5H-ONE". Aircraft Register. Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  42. "Turkey picks G550 for command and control mission". Flight Global. 16 December 2008.
  43. "White House Chief of Staff Card Addresses the Excelgov Conference in Washington, DC". White House. July 16, 2002.
  44. "C-37A (Gulfstream V) and C-37B (Gulfstream 550)". U.S. Navy.
  45. "C-37B Gulfstream long range command and control aircraft > United States Coast Guard > Display". www.uscg.mil. Retrieved 2020-01-13.
  46. "G550 Brochure" (PDF). Gulfstream. July 2016.
  47. "Gulfstream V in Service For 10 years" (Press release). Gulfstream. June 18, 2007.
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