Gulfstream Unveils the V-SP

Masked by a year-long decoy disinformation campaign, cleverly crafted around the development of the next-generation G-IV, Gulfstream officials surprised most industry observers by unveiling the Gulfstream new V-SP here Sunday evening. The aircraft will have a maximum range of 6,750 nmi with nine passengers and more usable cabin volume than the Bombardier Global Express with shorter take off distances, Gulfstream says.

"We absolutely, positively deliver nine-passenger, New York-to-Tokyo range all the time," said Gulfstream manufacturing chief Preston Henne.

The GV-SP, slated for first flight by the end of 2001 and certification by 4th quarter 2002, will be fitted with Gulfstream's "Plane Sense" cockpit, a second-generation, four-screen version of Honeywell Primus Epic avionics. The new avionics suite not only will improve crew situational awareness, but will save 100 pounds of avionics weight. G-V and GV-SP pilots, notably, will share a common aircraft type rating, Gulfstream officials said. On top of that, GV-SP's MTOW will be raised to 91,000 lbs, a 500-lb increase, thereby providing the aircraft with a full-tank, 1,800-lb payload.

GV-SP also will be able to fly nine passengers 6,300 nmi at .83 Mach, 6,000 nmi at .85 Mach, or 5,000 nmi at .87 Mach, besting the speed/range/payload performance of the Global Express, Gulsftream officials claim.

"On any trip longer than 2,200 nmi, we can also beat a Citation X," said Gulfstream sales director Joe Walker.

The GV-SP will retain the G-V's 41,300-lb fuel capacity, but more than 20 aerodynamic refinements, such as new fuselage-to-wing and engine pylon fairings, coupled with revised deep fluted mixer nozzles for the BR710 turbofans, will boost range by 250 to 400 miles, depending on cruise speed.

The newest Gulfstream also will have more than 1,200 cubic feet of usable cabin volume, due to elimination of the forward, right-side auxiliary radio compartment. This allows four seating areas. Installation of conformal fresh water tanks in the baggage compartment and relocation of the vacuum lav waste water tank to the lavatory will increase luggage volume by 25%, officials said.

Standard equipment will include the Honeywell-Marconi HUD 2020, a Kollsman forward-looking infrared EVS camera, BFGoodrich GH-3000 flat-panel standby attitude indicator, and a seventh, right-side fuselage window.

Gulfstream plans to hold the price on the GV-SP. With most popular options wrapped into the standard equipment package, the aircraft will list at $24.9 million-just $450,000 more than a similarly equipped standard G-V lacking the "Plane Sense" flat-panel avionics suite.

By Fred George