Gulfstream has arrived at the show upbeat about the prospects for sales of special missions versions of the Gulfstream V-SP. The first production GV-SP, which will replace the GV from the end of this year, flew from Savannah International Airport.
At 51,000ft (15,500m) and at speeds of up to Mach.88, the GV-SP can fly eight passengers and four crewmembers 6,750nm (12,500km) – the longest range available in a business jet, translating into a direct New York – Tokyo flight.
The new aircraft features a PlaneView flight deck with what Gulfstream calls a ‘revolutionary avionics system', the Gulfstream Enhanced Vision System (EVS). It is demonstrating the night-vision capabilities of the system, developed in partnership with Kollsman, to show visitors. It will be standard on the GV-SP and can be retrofitted to GVs and GIV-SPs. The $40 million aircraft also offers 25% more luggage space than its predecessors and provides passengers with up to four distinct living areas.
Speaking at the show, Buddy Sams, senior vice-president, Government Sales says he sees a market for 15-25 special mission Gulfstreams in the coming five years.
Success
It is an area in which Gulfstream has had significant success in the past. There are currently 146 Gulfstream aircraft in government and military service. Its aircraft are used by 34 governments and 22 heads of state. The US is a major customer with 59 aircraft. Last year, Gulfstream sold GVs for special mission applications to the Japanese Coast Guard, Israel Ministry of Defence and the US National Center for Atmospheric Research.
Source: Flight Daily News