Gulfstream has delivered the first fully outfitted G650ER months ahead of schedule and says it hopes to handover the first all-new ultra-long-range business jet before the end of the year. The airframer originally planned to start shipments in 2015.
“It’s a good day when you can deliver on your promises ahead of schedule,” says Gulfstream president Larry Flynn.
The handover to an undisclosed customer comes a month after the US Federal Aviation Administration certificated the extended-range version of its $64.5 million G650, which entered service two years ago – and six months after Gulfstream unveiled the longest-legged in-production business jet.
Gulfstream added 1,810kg (4,000lb) of fuel weight to enable the $66.5 million G650ER to fly up to 7,500nm (13,900km) at Mach 0.85 – 500nm more than its stablemate. This extra range allows the aircraft to connect to more city pairs such as Hong Kong to New York and Los Angeles to Melbourne nonstop. Both models have a top speed of Mach 0.925.
Its closest rivals are Bombardier’s in-development Global 7000 and 8000 which are projected to have a range of 7,300nm and 7,900nm when they enter service in 2016 and 2017 respectively.
The Rolls-Royce BR725-powered G650ER differs from the baseline model only by software changes to the fuel metering system and flight management system, says Gulfstream
The ER retrofit for in-service G650s is priced at $2 million.
Source: Flight International
