Business jet maker Gulfstream has a new super-midsize aircraft in the works.
The Savannah-based company on 30 September revealed it is developing the “all new” G300, a 3,600nm (6,667km)-range, 10-passenger jet intended to replace its G280, a model produced by Gulfstream partner Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
“The G300 will re-energise the category with its heightened technology and safety enhancements, alongside the legendary comfort and styling of a Gulfstream,” says the company, a division of General Dynamics.
Gulfstream has “completed nearly 2,000 ground-test hours on the first aircraft as well as started manufacturing two additional test aircraft”, it adds.
The G300 will be powered by “high-thrust Honeywell engines” and will have “transatlantic range and short-field agility”, says Gulfstream without being more specific.
It does not reveal details about the Honeywell engines or about its expected timeline for bringing the G300 through certification, nor does Gulfstream specify where it intends to build the G300, or if IAI will be involved.
Honeywell does not immediately respond to a request for comment. That company now produces the 6,500-7,500lb (28.9-33.6kN)-thrust HTF7000 turbofans that power G280s, Bombardier Challenger 350s, Cessna Citation Longitudes and Embraer Praetor 500s and 600s – all midsize or super-midsize types.
Gulfstream puts the G300’s range at 3,600nm when flying at Mach 0.8 and 3,000nm at M0.84. The jet will cruise at up to 45,000ft and have “the lowest cabin altitude in its class”, with pressure equivalent to 4,800ft.
By comparison, the G280 has 3,600nm of range, while Challenger 350s have 3,400nm of range, Cessna’s Longitude can fly 3,500nm and Embraer’s puts the range of its Praetor 600 at 4,018nm.
”With an ideal combination of size, advanced avionics and aerodynamic design, the G300 is primed for fast, efficient flight with its high-thrust Honeywell engines, coupled with the clean, swept Gulfstream wing to support fuel-efficiency,” Gulfstream says.
The G300’s cockpit will have six touch-screen displays, a synthetic-vision primary flight display system that will depict runways and terrain in 3D, and a “predictive landing performance system” intended to help prevent runway overruns.
As part of the G300’s development, Gulfstream has logged nearly 22,000h of laboratory testing, with its integration test facility having recently completed a simulated G300 first flight.
“The G300 programme is making great progress and the vision for this aircraft is well on its way to becoming a reality for our customers as they look for an airplane that will exceed their expectations in the super-midsize class,” says Gulfstream president Mark Burns
Gulfstream’s G280 is an evolution of an aircraft originally developed by IAI subsidiary Galaxy Aerospace, which General Dynamics bought in 2001. IAI has continued building G280 airframes in Tel Aviv.
