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Gulfstream G280

2009 MODERN AIRCRAFT

History of the Gulfstream G280

The twin-engine G280 (BizJet) business jet is an extension of the early 1999 G200 series. The original aircraft was named "Astra Galaxy" at birth by Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) and Yakovlev (as "Astra"), and later with the participation of the European defense group EADS.

The design features a swept-wing main aircraft, a side-by-side cockpit, a mid-mounted horizontal stabilizer arranged around a single vertical stabilizer, and an outboard fixed, non-afterburner turbofan engine. A total of 250 were sold.

The G280 was developed in the mid-2000s as an evolution of the G200 and was originally known as the G250 model. The first flight was recorded in Israel on December 11, 2009, and the official name was changed to G280 in 2011.

The design proved successful, leading to imminent type approval in 2011-2012, followed by formal acceptance into service.

The joint partnership between Gulfstream and Israel continues, resulting in the aircraft being built in Israel and shipped in near-complete form to the Gulfstream factory in the United States, where the fuselage receives paint and attention to interior detail.

The core of the G280 retains much of the form and function of the original Astra and G200 series. The same arrangement is retained, including the low-mounted Arrow main aircraft (new design) and outboard engine mating. The cockpit features a sloping nose, providing excellent visibility for both pilots.

The tail configuration has been modified to significantly raise the level, following the proven Multhop "T-tail" standard. Ground travel is accomplished with a conventional retractable tricycle undercarriage.

Inside, the cockpit is dominated by three large colour displays showing all relevant flight information. The crew is separated by a center console, which houses the throttle controls and other systems, and is easily accessible by both crew members.

The side sticks complement the redundant yoke scheme, allowing either pilot to take control of the aircraft when needed. In addition to the two crew members, the aircraft can carry up to 10 passengers in luxurious comfort.

Offers separate seating and benches as well as full kitchen and toilet facilities.

Dimensions include a 66.9-foot run length, 63-foot wingspan, and 21.3-foot height. Curb weight hits 24,150 lbs and MTOW is 40,000 lbs.

Powered by 2 Honeywell HTF7250G aspirated turbofan engines, each producing 7,625 lbs of thrust. This enables the aircraft to reach a top speed of Mach 0.84 and fly at a comfortable speed of 530 miles per hour. Range is up to 3,600 nautical miles and service is capped at 45,000 feet.

In the civil aviation market, the G280 is expected to compete directly with products such as the Cessna Citation X+ and Longitude series in the United States, the Bombardier Challenger 350 in Canada and the Embraer Legacy series in Brazil.

The G280 is also suitable for government service, for transporting VIPs, while some gear is used in military service, covering electronic warfare (EW) roles.