Image Credit: Gulfstream Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., unveiled two all-new business jets: the Gulfstream G500 and G600 to replace the cur...
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| Image Credit: Gulfstream |
Resembling the ultra long range G650ER launched in last May, the two clean-sheet designs was announced before a crowd of approximately 3,000 people at its HQs in Savannah. During the event, the first G500 taxied up under its own power, and General Dynamics chairman and CEO Phebe Novakovic revealed a nearly 70-foot/21-meter mockup of the G600.
The two new aircraft optimize speed, wide-cabin comfort and efficiency to offer customers best-in-class performance with advanced safety features.
The G500 will compete against the Dassault Falcon 5X, while the G600 against the ultra-long-range contenders- the Falcon 8X and Global 6000.
The G500 can fly 5,000 nautical miles/9,260 kilometers at Mach 0.85 or 3,800 nm/7,038 km at Mach 0.90.
The G600 is capable of traveling 6,200 nm/11,482 km at Mach 0.85 or 4,800 nm/8,890 km at Mach 0.90.
The maximum operating speed for both aircraft is Mach 0.925, the same speed as Gulfstream’s G650 and G650ER.
Carrying up to 19 passengers each, the G500 has three living areas, and the G600 has up to four, as well as an optional crew rest. Both aircraft have forward and aft lavatories and include a full-size galley that can be located in either the forward or aft portion of the aircraft. Ample storage space is also prevalent in the baggage compartment, which has 175 cubic ft/5.0 cu m of usable volume.
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| Image Credit: Gulfstream |
Both aircraft can maintain a comfortable cabin altitude of 4,850 ft/1,578 m at FL510 and 100 percent fresh air that allows fatique free long range travel.
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| Image Credit: Gulfstream |
The ACSs offers safety and situational awareness over passive sticks through tactile feedback. With electronic linking of the ACSs, the pilot and co-pilot can see and feel each other’s control inputs, which helps improve pilot coordination in the cockpit.
The G500 and G600 incorporate a third-generation Gulfstream EVS, the Synthetic Vision-Primary Flight Display system and Head-Up Display II.
Similar to the G650 and G650ER, the G500 and G600 offer a full three-axis digital fly-by-wire system with benefits that include flight-envelope protection, stability augmentation, increased redundancy and reduced maintenance.
The G500 and G600 are powered by versions of the new Pratt & Whitney Canada PW800 series engine. The PW800 delivers excellent fuel efficiency, fewer emissions and engine noise, and has a 10,000-hour time between overhaul with no midlife inspection for lower operating cost.
The two 16,000-pound-thrust-class engine's is optimized for high-flying, fast, long-range business jets.
Certification of the PurePower PW814GA and PW815GA engines that will power the Gulfstream G500 and G600 respectively is expected before the end of 2014.
The PurePower PW800 engine offers 40 percent less scheduled maintenance and 20 percent fewer inspections than other engines in its class.
The first flight of the G500 is scheduled for 2015. Gulfstream projects it will receive type certification from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and European Aviation Safety Agency in 2017 and begin deliveries in 2018.
The G600 flight-test program is expected to begin approximately 12 to 18 months after the G500’s, and entry-into-service is projected to be in 2019.
Manufacturing for the G500 and G600 will be done at two new purpose-built facilities in Savannah. Gulfstream will produce the wings and the vertical and horizontal stabilizers for each aircraft.
UTC Aerospace Systems will provide critical systems for the new business jets including the electric generation system and emergency power, nose and main landing gear, observer seats, fire and smoke detection, ice detection, air data system and potable water systems.
UTC also provides the complete control and accessories package, including the fuel metering unit, electronic engine control, fire detection, thermal management components, sensor suite, and electrical/ignition system for the PurePower PW800 engine.
