Gulfstream
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), designs, develops, manufactures, markets, services and supports the world's most technologically advanced business jet aircraft. Gulfstream has produced more than 1,300 aircraft for customers around the world since 1958. To meet the diverse transportation needs of the future, Gulfstream offers a comprehensive fleet of aircraft, comprising the mid-cabin, high-speed Gulfstream G100®; the wide-cabin, high-speed Gulfstream G150®; the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G200®; the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G300®; the large-cabin, long-range Gulfstream G400®; the large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G500® and the large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G550®. Gulfstream also offers aircraft ownership services via Gulfstream Financial Services Division and Gulfstream Pre-Owned Aircraft Sales®. The company employs more than 7,800 people at eight major locations.
On September 9, 2002 Gulfstream introduced a broad new product line that offers an exceptional combination of price, performance and value-added customer preferences in each segment of the business jet market. The new product line, consisting of seven aircraft, will provide the opportunity for the company to compete aggressively and effectively in all segments of the business jet market from mid-cabin, high-speed to large-cabin, ultra-long-range. A new designation for Gulfstream aircraft was also announced in conjunction with the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) convention being held in Orlando, Sept. 10-12.
Gulfstream developed a new designation system for its entire business jet fleet that allows for an easy-to-understand transition and for future planned product introductions. This designation approach, which will not affect in-service aircraft nomenclature, will provide for easy understanding of the progression in cabin size, performance and value across the product line.
The Gulfstrearm II has an intercontinental range capability and a maximum cruising speed of 588 miles per hour, or Mach number of 0.85, at an altitude of 25 000 feet. The aircraft, frequently referred to as the G-II, was developed as a jet-powered successor to the highly successful turboprop-powered Gulfstream I. First flight of the G-II took place in October 1966, and a total of 256 units were manufactured before production ended in 1979. The more advanced Gulfstrearn III became available in late 1980.
The Gulfstream II is a low-wing configuration incorporating a Ttall and a wing of aspect ratio 6.0, 25 sweepback, and airfoil sections varying in thickness ratio from 12 to 8.5 percent. Power is supplied by two Rolls-Royce Spey MK 511-8 turbofan engines of 11 400 pounds thrust each. These engines are equipped with a five-stage fan and have a bypass ratio of 0.64; target-type thrust reversers are employed. The high-lift system consists of single-slotted trailing-edge flaps. Lateral control is provided by a combination of ailerons and spoilers. The spoilers may also be deployed symmetrically to increase drag and reduce lift. Elevators are used for longitudinal control, and trim is accomplished with a variable incidence stabilizer. All controls are hydraulically actuated.
The passenger cabin of the Gulfstream II is usually configured for 10 to 14 passengers (maximum capacity of' 19 passengers). The range-payload data indicate a range of 3881 miles with maximum fuel. Takeoff and landing distances are in the same class as those of the Lockheed JetStar.
As compared with the Gulfstream II, the Gulfstream III is slightly larger and heavier and has a greater range. The appearance of the new aircraft, however, differs little from that of the Gulfstream II. Winglets similar to those employed on the Gates Learjet 55 provide the primary identification feature of the Gulfstream III.
