Gulfstream has unveiled a new ultra-long range G700 business jet that it describes as the “largest, most luxurious and heaviest” aircraft the company has ever produced.
The G700 was officially launched on the eve of the 2019 United States National Business Aviation Association Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas.
Gulfstream said the US$75 million aircraft was based on the in-production G650ER, but was three metres longer.
The launch event featured a full-scale mockup of the G700, as well as footage of the aircraft taxiing under its own power at Gulfstream headquarters in Savannah, Georgia.
VIDEO: The official launch of the G700 at NBAA-BACE 2019 from the Gulfstream YouTube channel.
“The Gulfstream G700 takes the very best elements from our most innovative products and unites them with cutting-edge advances to create an all-new, advanced-technology aircraft that redefines safety, comfort and range at speed,” Gulfstream president Mark Burns said in a statement on Monday (US time).
“Thanks to our nearly 18,000 employees around the world, the G700 is continuing a long Gulfstream tradition: raising the bar for ourselves and the industry.”
Deliveries were expected to begin in 2022.
Despite the increased size and weight of the G700, its new high-thrust Rolls-Royce Pearl engines and newly designed winglets were projected to give a range of 7,500nm at Mach 0.85, or 6,400nm at Mach 0.90.
There would be five test aircraft in the G700 flight-test fleet, as well as one fully outfitted production test aircraft. It said the manufacturing for all test aircraft was underway.
“In preparation for first flight, Gulfstream has already accomplished nearly 14,000 hours of lab testing in its integration- and cabin-test facilities, Systems Integration Bench and Iron Bird,” Gulfstream said.
“The company has successfully completed ground vibration testing, engine runs, loads calibration and all structural testing required for first flight.”
The manufacturer said the G700 would offer excellent takeoff and landing performance and could operate easily at weight-restricted, short-runway and high-altitude airports.
Up front, the G700 featured the award-winning Symmetry Flight Deck, which came fitted with the company’s Enhanced Flight Vision System and Synthetic Vision on dual head-up displays as standard equipment.
Along with active-control sidesticks and the industry’s most extensive use of touch-screen technology, the flight deck also comes standard with the Predictive Landing Performance System, which gives pilots advanced warning of potential runway excursions so they can adjust approaches or go around.
The G700 had the same cabin cross-section as the G650, but the extra length meant it was possible to configure the interior with up to five distinct living areas, including an extra-large “ultragalley” with a passenger lounge or crew compartment, a six-place dining or conference room, and a master suite with shower.
Passengers would also benefit from the “most advanced circadian lighting system in aviation”, which recreated sunrise and sunset through thousands of white and amber LEDs. This would help passengers more quickly adjust to their new timezone and help reduce jetlag.
VIDEO: A look at the cabin of the G700 from the Gulfstream YouTube channel.
