The Gulfstream G650 has demonstrated exceptional high-speed cruise capabilities, flying a 5,000nm closed circuit at Mach 0.90 over the Atlantic Ocean in nine hours and 45 minutes.

Aircraft serial number (S/N) 6004, the fourth test aircraft in the flight-test programme, departed Savannah on 9 October 2010 for the fastest ultra-long-range flight ever flown by a business jet.

Gulfstream Programs, Engineering and Test senior vice-president Pres Henne said the airplane defined a new level of productivity.

“Never has a business jet flown so far, so fast, so flawlessly,” he said.

Weight at take-off was 99,538lb pounds for the aircraft, which has a maximum take-off weight of 99,600lb, allowing it to operate from weight-restricted airports.

The plane climbed out at 250kt to 10,000ft then 300kt, transitioning to Mach 0.85 until reaching cruise altitude.

23 minutes after brake release, the aircraft leveled off at its initial cruise altitude of 39,000ft and accelerated to Mach 0.90, later climbing to a final cruise altitude of 45,000ft.

Certification for the aircraft is planned for 2011 with deliveries due in 2012.