Gulfstream IV

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"G400" redirects here. For the graphics card, see Matrox G400.
Gulfstream IV
Gulfstream GIV.
Role Business jet
Manufacturer Gulfstream Aerospace
Status Active service
Primary users United States Air Force
United States Army
United States Navy
Various Corporations
Produced 535+ [1]
Unit cost $36 million (1998 constant dollars)
Developed from Gulfstream III
Variants Gulfstream V
Gulfstream G350/G450

The Gulfstream IV (or G-IV) and derivatives are a family of private jet aircraft produced by Gulfstream Aerospace, a General Dynamics company based in Savannah, Georgia, United States. The GIV is no longer in production as of September 2003.

Contents

[edit] Design and development

The G-IV was upgraded to the G IV-SP and later redesignated G400. A short-ranged variant was created based on the original G-IV and designated the G300. With introduction of the G500/G550 (a upgrade to the G-V), the G-IV received an upgrade based on the newly created G550. This created the G450 and its short-ranged variant the G350.

The Gulfstream G400 has a large cabin, long range of 4,350 nautical miles (8,060 km) and the same comfort and design that characterize the G series. Typical cruise height and speed are 45,000 ft and Mach 0.88. Earlier models were fitted with Honeywell's SPZ 8000 Avionics package. The SPZ 8400 Avionics Package was an option, becoming standard on later models . It costs about $36 million at 2004 prices (leasing is also an option). The replacement for this jet, the G450, has better performance and comes with Honeywell's next generation Primus Epic Avionic Suite, a Honeywell Visual Guidance System (an advanced HUD), the Gulfstream Enhanced Vision System (EVS) and Goodrich Electronic Standy Instruments.

The U.S. military variant of the IV, designated C-20F/G/H/J Gulfstream IV in Department of Defense service.[2] The C-20F is a G IV model operated by the U.S. Army in a command/executive transport role. The C-20G aircraft[3] may be configured for cargo operations, 26 passenger operations or combinations of the two. With passengers seats removed, it may be configured as three pallets with no passengers or two pallets and eight passengers or one pallet and fourteen passengers. With full seating, the aircraft is capable of accommodating up to twenty-six passengers and a crew of four. A hydraulically-operated cargo door is installed on the starboard side of the aircraft, and a ball roller cargo floor is capable of accommodating palletized cargo. C-20G aircraft are operated by Fleet Logistics Support Squadron Four Eight (VR-48) and Marine Air Support Detachment (MASD) at Naval Air Facility, Andrews Air Force Base, Washington, DC and at Fleet Logistics Support Wing Detachment, Marine Corps Base Hawaii. The C-20H are G IV-SP models operated by the U.S. Air Force in a command/executive transport role. The C-20J is a G IV-SP model operated by the U.S. Army in a command/executive transport role.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) operates a IV-SP modified to fly scientists and crew members at 45,000 feet around tropical cyclones. The aircraft was modified to drop instruments called "dropsondes" to measure windspeed, barometric pressure, humidity, and temperature as they fall to the surface of the ocean. By sampling the cyclone with these dropsondes over a 4,000 mile track around the storm, the forecasters at NOAA's National Hurricane Center and Hurricane Research Division can better predict where the hurricane will be "steered" by the upper level winds. They can also predict wind shear that will either increase or decrease a hurricane's strength. The G-IV SP is particularly suitable for the mission since it is fast, and can fly long distances with ample cabin space for the crew and instruments.[4]

In 1990, Gulfstream CEO Allen E. Paulson and a Gulfstream flight crew set 35 international records for around-the-world flight in a Gulfstream IV.

[edit] Operators

 Botswana

The Botswana Air Force operates a single G-IV for VIP transport.

 Brunei

The Sultan of Brunei operates a G-IV.[5]

 Chile

The Chilean Air Force operates four G-IVs in a commander / executive transport role.

 China

The Air China operates it as business jets.

 Côte d'Ivoire (formerly Ivory Coast)
 Egypt

The Egyptian Air Force operates four G-IVs in a commander / executive transport role.

 Ireland

The Irish Air Corps operates a G-IV in a Ministerial Air Transport Role.

 Japan

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force operates five G-IV aircraft under the designation U-4.[6] These aircraft are modified to incorporate a large cargo door[7] and can move palletized cargo and passenger mixes similar to the C-20G aircraft operated by the U.S. Navy and Marines.

 Malaysia

The Sultan of Johor operates a G-IV.[8]

 Netherlands
 Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Arabian Minister of Finance and Economy operates a G-IV (G300).[9]

 Sweden

The Swedish Air Force operates two highly modified G-IVs in a SIGINT role. The aircraft are designated S-102B Korpen.[10] Two other aircraft, a G-IV designated as Tp-102A, and a G-IVSP, designated as Tp-102C, serve as transport for the Swedish Royal family and Prime Minister.

 Turkey

The Turkish Air Force operates a G-IVSP in a commander / executive transport role.

 Pakistan

The Pakistan Air Force operates a G-IVSP in a commander / executive transport role.[11]

 Uganda

The Government of Uganda purchased one Gulfstream IV (G-IV) in December 2000 at a cost of US$31.5 million for Presidential flights. It is to be replaced by a G550 in early 2009.[12]

 United States
 Venezuela

The Venezuelan Air Force operates a G-IV in a commander / executive transport role.

[edit] Specifications (G-IV)

General characteristics

  • Crew: two pilots
  • Capacity: up to 19 passengers
  • Length: 88 ft 4 in (26.92 m)
  • Wingspan: 77 ft 10 in (23.72 m)
  • Height: 24 ft 5 in (7.45 m)
  • Wing area: 950 ft² (88.3 m²)
  • Empty weight: 35,500 lb (16,100 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 73,200 lb (33,200 kg)
  • Powerplant:Rolls-Royce Tay Mk.611-8 turbofans, 13,850 lbf (61.6 kN) each

Performance

[edit] See also

Related development

Related lists

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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