The Gulfstream V (Model GV, pronounced "G-five") is a long-range, large business jet aircraft produced by Gulfstream Aerospace, derived from the previous Gulfstream IV. It flies up to Mach 0.885 (508 kn; 940 km/h), up to 51,000 feet (16,000 m) and has a 6,500 nmi (12,000 km) range. It typically accommodates four crew and 14 passengers. It first flew on November 28, 1995, and entered service in June 1997.[2] It is used by the US military under the designation C-37A.[3] It is followed by an improved version, the Gulfstream 550 (Model GV-SP).

Quick Facts Gulfstream V C-37A, General information ...
Gulfstream V
C-37A
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General information
TypeBusiness jet
National originUnited States
ManufacturerGulfstream Aerospace
StatusIn service
Primary usersUnited States Air Force
Number built193[1]
History
Introduction dateJune 1997[2]
First flightNovember 28, 1995[2]
Developed fromGulfstream IV
VariantsGulfstream G550
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Development

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Model in wind tunnel

In the early 1990s, the Gulfstream V (GV) was developed as a response to the Bombardier Global Express.[4] It was certified on April 11, 1997.[5] Capable of flying up to 6,500 nmi (12,000 km), it rolled out in 1995 and was Gulfstream's first ultra-long range business jet. Total production of the Gulfstream V was 193 aircraft.[1] By 2018, 1997-1999 Gulfstream GVs were trading at $8.8-10.25 million.[6] By 2019, a GV was worth around $10 million: below $6 million for a fixer to up to $13 million for a late model low-time aircraft.[4]

Design

Compared to the Gulfstream IV, the engines are changed from Rolls-Royce Tay to Rolls-Royce BR700-710A1-10 with increased thrust, higher bypass ratio, and Full Authority Digital Engine Controls (FADEC). Operating ceiling is increased from 45,000 to 51,000 ft (14,000 to 16,000 m). It has thrust reversers and composite flight control surfaces. The horizontal tail area is 30% larger, wingspan is increased from 74.6 to 93.5 ft (22.7 to 28.5 m), the fuselage is lengthened by 5 ft (1.5 m) forward of the main entry door, and by 2 ft (0.6 m) aft of the wing. Maximum takeoff and landing weights are increased by 15%.[5]

It has a new semi supercritical wing for a fuel capacity of 41,000–12,000 lb (18.6–5.4 t) more than the G-IV. The three zone cabin is similar to the G-IV, smaller than the Global Express, while its dispatch reliability, cabin noise and fuel efficiency compare favourably against its competitors of the same era. Compared to the comparably priced Global Express, the GV offers more range and is more fuel efficient while the Bombardier offers better runway performance, a larger cabin and a softer ride. BR710 overhaul comes at 8,000 hour or 10 years if it comes earlier and costs $1.25 million per engine.[4]

Variants

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USCG C-37A in flight
G-V
Production aircraft powered by two BMW-Rolls-Royce 700-710A1-10 engines.
C-37A
United States military designation for the G-V aircraft.[7]
C-20C
Modified C-20B with enhanced, secure communications. Used to support senior-level personnel and to provide backup for Air Force One.Only 3 delivered to the Air Force in 1985 as the Reagan administration’s massive investment in “continuity of government” operations upgraded the government’s command-and-control systems.Their tail numbers were 50049, 50050 and 60403.One of three aircraft long tasked with evacuating the president in an emergency and preserving the so-called National Command Authorities,the officials with authority to launch nuclear weapons.The C-20Cs had slightly older dial-and-gauge cockpits to help protect the plane from the electromagnetic pulse that would accompany a nearby nuclear explosion.The gear aboard is top-notch, with special satellite communications networks and special classified defensive measures that would protect the plane during an attack.[8]

Operators

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On ramp, Gulfstream V fuselage with six windows

Civil operators

The majority of G-Vs are operated by corporate and individual owners. Mark Cuban paid $40 million for a Gulfstream V in October 1999, earning a Guinness Record of "largest single e-commerce transaction". Steve Jobs received a Gulfstream V as compensation from Apple in 2000.[9]

Government and military operators

 Algeria

 Greece

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Israeli SEMA Gulfstream G550 inflight
 Israel
  • A Special Electronic Mission Aircraft (SEMA), based on a highly modified Gulfstream G-V aircraft, was delivered to the Israeli Ministry of Defense in June 2005.[10]
 Italy
 Singapore
 Japan
  • Japan Coast Guard received the sole C-37A on January 17, 2005.[16] Dubbed "Umi Washi" (Sea Eagle), the aircraft will be operated by the JCG for maritime surveillance search and rescue. The second aircraft was delivered in mid-2005.
 Kuwait
 Saudi Arabia
  • Saudi Arabia operates two GVs in a medevac configuration.[18]
 United States
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U.S. Air Force C-37A in VIP livery

The 89th Airlift Wing's 99th Airlift Squadron, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, operates four C-37As. The 6th Air Mobility Wing's 310th Airlift Squadron, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida operates three C-37As. The 15th Airlift Wing's 65th Airlift Squadron, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii operates one C-37A.[19] The 86th Airlift Wing's 76th Airlift Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany has two C-37As. The Executive Transport Detachment Pacific, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii operates one C-37A. The United States Army Priority Air Transport Det. (USAPAT), Andrews AFB, MD, operates two C-37As.[citation needed]

On March 11, 2005, Gulfstream delivered an ultra-long-range G-V to the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). The aircraft—known as the High-performance, Instrumented Airborne Platform for Environmental Research (HIAPER), based in Boulder, Colorado, is being used by environmental and atmospheric scientists from both public and private research facilities.[20] The GV was chosen by NCAR for its exceptionally high cruising altitude, long range, endurance, payload, reliability, and low operating costs, as well as worldwide product support.[21] The HIAPER Gulfstream V is modified to accept wing/pylon mounted instrumentation.

Specifications

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Viewed from below
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Front view

Data from HIAPER GV Brochure[25]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Capacity: 15–19[26]
  • Length: 96.4 ft (29.4 m)
  • Wingspan: 93.45 ft (28.48 m)
  • Height: 26.85 ft (8.18 m)
  • Wing area: 1,137 sq ft (105.6 m2) [26]
  • Aspect ratio: 7.68
  • Empty weight: 46,200 lb (20,956 kg) , Basic Operating Weight with 4 crew : 46,800 pounds (21,228 kg)[26]
  • Max takeoff weight: 90,500 lb (41,050 kg)
  • Maximum Landing Weight : 75,300 pounds (34,200 kg)
  • Maximum Zero Fuel Weight : 54,500 pounds (24,700 kg)
  • Maximum Fuel Load : 41,300 pounds (18,700 kg)
  • Maximum Payload : 8,300 pounds (3,800 kg)
  • Payload w/ Max Fuel : 3,400 pounds (1,500 kg)
  • Cabin Length : 43.92 feet (13.39 m)
  • Cabin floor Width : 5.25 feet (1.60 m)
  • Cabin Height : 6.17 feet (1.88 m)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Rolls-Royce BR710A1-10 turbofan, 14,750 lbf (65.6 kN) thrust each [5]

Performance

  • Maximum speed: Mach 0.88
  • Range: 7,500 mi (12,000 km, 6,500 nmi) ,[1] long range cruise with 4 crew, 8 passengers[26]
  • Endurance: 14hr 28min[26]
  • Service ceiling: 51,000 ft (16,000 m)
  • Cruise speed : Mach 0.83 (882 km/h)
  • Normal cruise range : 5,500 nautical miles (10,186 km), with 5 crew, 12 passengers[7]
  • Takeoff MTOW, ISA, SL : 6,100 feet (1,900 m)
  • Climb rate : 4,188 feet per minute (21.28 m/s)[26]
  • Ceiling : 51,000 feet (16,000 m)[26]

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

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