Gulfstream C-20

History of the Gulfstream C-20

The Gulfstream III and Gulfstream IV commercial business jets serve as the framework for the U.S. junta-class "C-20" family of VIP personnel transport aircraft. The Gulfstream III includes the C-20A, C-20B, C-20C, and C-20D variants, while the Gulfstream IV includes the C-20F (U.S. Army), C-20G (U.S. Marine Corps), C-20H (U.S.

Air Force) and C-20J (US Army). The Gulfstream III was introduced by Gulfstream Aerospace in 1980 with a total of 202 built, while the Gulfstream IV achieved greater commercial success and entered service in the mid-1980s with 870 built.

Both variants are twin-engine jets in traditional form and function.

The original C-20A and C-20B production variants were selected to replace the then obsolete C-140B JetStar aircraft in service with the USAF. The C-20A can carry 14 passengers and 5 crew members. The C-20B (2 x Rolls-Royce Spey 511-8 engines) arrived in 1992 with updated avionics and electronics, while the C-20C introduced protected communications for its passengers.

The C-20D was adopted by the United States Navy (USN) as an Operational Support Airlift (OSA) with appropriate mission equipment for transporting senior US Navy officers. The C-20E came in the form of an "extended fuselage" model with a slightly modified wing main aircraft and was in service with the U.S.

Army.

The SRA-1 became a specialized reconnaissance and surveillance variant for the export market. Likewise, the SMA-3 became the radar-equipped version for Danish maritime patrol, search and rescue and VIP transport.

For the US Air Force, three C-20A prototypes have been delivered to the 89th Airlift Squadron for delivery to Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany. The C-20B arrives, powered by 2 Rolls-Royce Spey Mark 511-8 series engines.

The C-20H was another lengthened fuselage version (powered by 2 Rolls-Royce Tay 611-8 engines) and arrived in 1992 as a more advanced model with modern avionics, upgraded market for engines and new electrical systems with improved range. performance and noise reduction.

The C-20A was retired from frontline service by the USAF in 2002. To fill the Ramstein vacancy, two C-20H variants were shipped to Germany.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes