Gulfstream Aerospace unveils two new business jets

General Dynamics’ subsidiary Gulfstream Aerospace has unveiled two new business jets, the Gulfstream G500 and G600.

The new aircraft are claimed to offer improved speed, wide-cabin space and advanced safety features.

Gulfstream president Larry Flynn said: "The G500 and G600 build upon the technology present in our G650 and our latest aircraft, the G650ER.

"The G500 and G600 continue the long Gulfstream tradition of being the first original equipment manufacturer to ensure an optimal combination of speed, range, wide-cabin comfort and fuel burn."

Powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW800 series engines, the airliners have maximum operating speed of Mach 0.925.

The G500 and G600 can fly 9,260km at Mach 0.85, or 7,038km at Mach 0.90, and 11,482km at Mach 0.85 or 8,890km at Mach 0.90 respectively.

The cabins feature considerable head room and shoulder room, and can accommodate up to 19 passengers. Both aircraft have cabin altitude of 4,850 ft at FL510.

Gulfstream’s Symmetry Flight Deck comprises active control sidesticks (ACSs), integrated touchscreen controllers, a next-generation enhanced vision system (EVS) and Honeywell Primus Epic avionics.

Gulfstream will build the G500 and G600 jets at its two new facilities in Savannah, Georgia, US. It will manufacture the wings and vertical and horizontal stabilisers for each aircraft.

First flight of the G500 is planned for 2015 and the aircraft is expected to attain type certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration and European Aviation Safety Agency in 2017 with plans to commence deliveries the following year.

The G600’s flight-test programme is scheduled to start around 18 months after the G500’s programme, and the aircraft is likely to enter into service in 2019.

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Image: The Gulfstream G500 and G600 optimise speed, wide-cabin comfort and efficiency to offer customers best-in-class performance. Photo: courtesy of Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation.