Tag Archives: Gulfstream G550

Air, Air Force

Specialized Surveillance

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. on April 5, 2021 announced it delivered a special missions Gulfstream G550 to the Israeli Air Force to support and enhance their mission-critical surveillance operations.

Gulfstream G550
Gulfstream G550 modified for Specialized Surveillance

«Israel has been a Gulfstream special-missions customer for many years, and we are grateful for their continued confidence in us», said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream. «With unparalleled performance capabilities, our modified aircraft can fly the demanding missions governments and militaries conduct around the world. Combined with the exceptional reliability our platforms provide and the expertise of our dedicated teams, Gulfstream’s special-missions service is second to none».

Gulfstream’s engineers designed the adjustments to the aircraft’s exterior and flight deck, and its production team built the surveillance platform in the dedicated special-missions modification facilities in Savannah.

Gulfstream has been producing special-missions aircraft for over 50 years, with more than 200 aircraft delivered to governments and militaries in more than 40 countries. Capabilities include airborne security operations, advanced medevac, airborne research and priority transport missions. Gulfstream Customer Support also offers tailored contractor logistics support for special-missions customers around the world.

Air

Phase I Complete

The Tactical Airlift Program Office (PMA-207) Commercial Modifications and Range Support (CMARS) Team accepted delivery of their newest commercial-derivative aircraft platform, July 30.

The U.S. Navy accepts the Gulfstream G550 with structural modifications on July 30. The aircraft is unique to the U.S. Navy and after further modifications will replace the aging range support aircraft in Point Mugu, California (U.S. Navy photo)
The U.S. Navy accepts the Gulfstream G550 with structural modifications on July 30. The aircraft is unique to the U.S. Navy and after further modifications will replace the aging range support aircraft in Point Mugu, California (U.S. Navy photo)

The Gulfstream G550, with structural modifications, was further modified to house specialized telemetry equipment, unique to the U.S. Navy’s application. The G550 is slated to serve as the replacement for one of the aging P-3 range support aircraft operated out of Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) in Point Mugu, California. The aircraft’s Airborne Early Warning (AEW) structural modifications allow room for installation of a telemetry system and additional equipment to support future missions.

During a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by Gulfstream executives and PMA-207 leadership, Program Manager Captain Steven Nassau spoke to the complexity of this acquisition.

«Just getting to this point has been a process», said Nassau. «The team had to coordinate with AIR-5.0 Test and Evaluation leadership, AIR-2.0 Contracts, AIR-5.2 Ranges and AIR-5.1 test squadrons for mission equipment and airframe expertise, as well as AIR-6.0 Logistics for sustainment to keep this acquisition on schedule. Delivering the aircraft under cost and on schedule is a major milestone for such a complicated project».

PMA-207 CMARS Integrated Program Team Lead Chris Mullaney said credit should not only be given to those currently working on this project, but to those who have in the past as well.

«One of the original leads for this project was Jaimie Grubb. She, along with her Range Support Aircraft Team, had impressive foresight and solid planning at the beginning of this endeavor that paved the way for the successes we are seeing here today – delivery of a high-quality product on cost and on schedule», said Mullaney.

From here, the Phase II Integrator, Raytheon, will receive the G550 aircraft as Government furnished property and will develop, procure and integrate systems that will give the aircraft a multi-role capability in telemetry data collection, range safety and surveillance and communications relay. This modern, phased-array telemetry system will have the capability to support major programs in complex, robust and dynamic test environments for many years.

The aircraft is projected to be delivered for Initial Operating Capability (IOC) by August 2021.