Gulfstream announced yesterday that they were introducing a new family of clean-sheet jets to their range: the G500 and G600 business jets.
The G500 has a 5000 nm range at Mach 0.85 or 3800 nm at Mach 0.90. The G600 is capable of traveling 6,200 nm at Mach 0.85 or 4800 at Mach 0.90. The maximum operating speed for both aircraft is Mach 0.925, the same speed as Gulfstream’s G650 and G650ER.
Both aircraft are powered by Pratt & Whitney PW800 engines.
“This is another extraordinary day in the storied history of Gulfstream,” said Gulfstream president Larry Flynn. “The G500 and G600 build upon the technology present in our G650 and our latest aircraft, the G650ER. Once again, our customers played a major role in the development and creation of these aircraft.
"The G500 and G600 continue the long Gulfstream tradition of being the first original equipment manufacturer to ensure an optimal combination of speed, range, wide-cabin comfort and fuel burn.”
The cabins for the G500 and G600 are distinguished by their wide cross-sections, which measure 213 centimeters wide and 188 cm tall. 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 area.
Gulfstream will build the G500 and G600 at two new purpose-built facilities in Savannah, Georgia.
The first flight of the G500 is scheduled for 2015. Gulfstream with type certification expected in 2017 and first 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 scheduled for 2019.