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Gulfstream G500

2004 MODERN AIRCRAFT

History of the Gulfstream G500

Gulfstream Aerospace is developing the Gulfstream G500 as a twin-engine airliner for the business market. It was intended as a successor to the old G450 series and was advertised with improved performance specs. The design debuted in October 2014 and made its maiden flight on May 18, 2015. To date (2018) four prototypes and one production-quality airframe have served the program. The service is scheduled to launch sometime in 2018-2019.

Type approval was obtained in mid-2018.

The G600 is being developed alongside the G500 as a larger market format.

The G500 series is powered by Pratt & Whitney Canadas (PWC) PW814 series of turbofan engines as the company no longer relies on the Rolls-Royce Aviation line. Each engine provides 15,144 pounds of thrust at takeoff, helping the aircraft reach a range of 5,200 nautical miles and fly at speeds of up to 516 knots.

The service cap is listed as 51,000 feet.

The G500's cockpit is all modern/all digital, with four main LCDs occupying the main instrument panel (Honeywell symmetrical avionics fit). Throttle controls are placed naturally between the two crew seats, and BAe Systems digitally connected flight sticks are relocated to the outside of each pilot position (the latter being marketed as the first of its kind, eliminating the need for bulky control column requirements).

Full satellite communication (SATCOM) and digital telex (FBW) control are available. Honeywell HTG400G Drives Auxiliary Power Unit (APU). There is a folding head-up display (HUD).

The interior of the fuselage is optimized for noise reduction, passenger comfort and storage space. The conference table can be stowed away and the seats can be folded down to create a sleeping area. Fourteen large panoramic windows are provided for viewing.

As planned, the G500 will have a crew of two and comfortably carry up to 19 passengers. Structurally, the overall length reaches 91.1 feet, with a wingspan of 87 feet and a height of 25.5 feet. Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) is 76,850 lbs.

The G500 takes the usual bizjet design treatment: it places the twin engines in short wings at the rear of the fuselage to reduce cabin noise. The main wing is well swept back, mounted low in the fuselage and covered with fuel-efficient winglets. The fins are arranged in a T-shaped plane, with the horizontal plane positioned high on a single vertical fin.

Ground walking is done by a retractable tricycle leg assembly with wheels.

Variants of the G500 series include the G500 and its offshoot, the G550. The G500 is the GV-SP, and it includes an all-new cockpit display system, as well as airframe and engine improvements.

In addition to its obvious value in carrying VIP passengers, some global military powers have attempted to modify the G500's base design for battlefield operations. The G550 AEW is Israel's Airborne Early Warning System (AEW) platform. The U.S. designates in-service G500s the C-37B and the U.S. Navy model the NC-37B.

The U.S. Air Force operates the EC-X "Compass Call" as an electronic countermeasures (ECM) platform, connecting a suite of L3 technologies to the G550 family of aircraft. Italy has also recently joined the ranks of military users of the G500 series.