Page 61 - Aviation News - September 2017

Over 40 Gulfstream jets have been acquired by the US military. The US Navy
C-20G is based on the GIV, which features a large cargo door. Key Collection

vertical tail with a large top fairing. Powered The company’s rst order from the US platform for its research into the behaviour
by two 14,750lb/st BMW Rolls-Royce military involved the Gulfstream I for the of hurricanes and tornadoes. In Germany,
BR710-48 turbofans, it provided ultra-long US Navy which were used as trainers. As another G550 (D-ADLR c/n 5093) is used
6,500nm (12,038km) range, which was 54% mentioned the GIII/C-20 went on to establish by the German Aerospace Center (DLR)
more than the Gulfstream IV. Gulfstream Gulfstreams as the general utility and VIP for high-altitude and long-range research
made the rst ight of N501GV (c/n 501) on transport of choice for the US Government, exploring the atmosphere. The C-37A is a
November 28, 1995 with certi cation and replacing existing C-140B Jetstars and, to military version of the GV and later aircraft
rst deliveries following on April 11, 1997. some extent, T-39 Sabreliners. As each are C-37Bs based on the G550. Currently,
Three years later, the aircraft was upgraded new model came along, orders were placed the USAF operates 15 C-37s, the US Navy
as the GV-SP, which had the main entry for the new version and the C-20G was and Marine Corps have four and two are in
door moved forward giving a larger interior purchased as a derivative of the GIV for the service with the US Coast Guard.
cabin with an extra window on each side. US Navy. It was tted with a large starboard In 1984, Gulfstream developed the SRA-I
This model was renamed as the G550 side forward cargo door, facilities for pallet special missions demonstrator, based
and it remains in production today. Range loading and handling and high-density on the GIII and this led on to the SRA-IV,
was increased to 6,750nm (12,501km) and seating for up to 26 passengers – or lower- which used the GIV airframe and attracted
Gulfstream also offered a shorter-range density VIP seating. the attention of several air forces. The rst
G500 version, but this never attracted any Additionally, Gulfstreams are used by order was from the Swedish Air Force which
customers. The G550 had improved systems other US Government agencies. NASA acquired two specialised signals intelligence
which progressively included a PlaneView employed a pair of GIIs (c/n 146 and 147) platforms that received the designation
cockpit with a Honeywell glass ight deck and as Shuttle Training Aircraft (STAs), modi ed and name S.102B Korpen. They featured
Enhanced Vision System (EVS). The 550th to replicate the Space Shuttle’s handling a recon gured nose, belly-mounted SLAR
example of the highly successful G550 was qualities and approach pro le during (side-looking airborne radar) pod and a
delivered in July this year. re-entry. They also had a GII research modi ed tail with a ventral n. Two GVs
test aircraft tted with a large nacelle on were delivered to the Japanese Coast Guard
SPECIAL MISSIONS the port wing for its Transonic Ultra-High for ocean patrol with a belly radome tted
Gulfstream Aerospace claims that nearly Bypass Propulsion propfan programme. The with a FLIR (forward-looking infrared) system
200 aircraft are operating on special National Oceanographic and Atmospheric linked to the aircraft’s search radar.
missions with 37 countries. There is a wide Administration (NOAA) used a GIVSP as a The G550 has become the platform for
variety of applications including signals Israel chose the G550 for its airborne early advanced surveillance and intelligence
intelligence, airborne early warning, search warning aircraft named Eitam (foreground) missions with the air forces of Singapore,
and rescue and medical evacuation, navaid and the Shavit electronic intelligence Israel and Italy. In 2005, a SIGINT G550
checking, sheries and coastal patrol and gathering platform. Photo courtesy of was introduced by Israel. The Shavit is
priority personnel and cargo tasks. Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. equipped with an Israel Aircraft Industries’

www.aviation-news.co.uk 61

58-63_gulfstreamDC.mfDC.mfDC.indd 61 04/08/2017 14:15