Gulfstream Unveils G100 and G200 Models

William Boisture, Gulfstream Aerospace president and General Dynamics aerospace executive vice president, announced Saturday that the newly acquired Astra SPX and Galaxy product lines have been renamed Gulfstream 100 and 200.

On June 5, Gulfstream closed a purchase agreement with Fort Worth-based Galaxy Aerospace, and General Dynamics assumed control, enabling the two aircraft to be integrated into the Gulfstream product line.

"We're here today to unveil the super-midsize G200 and midsize G100 aircraft. We're very proud to add (them) to broaden our product line that includes the G-V-soon the G-VSP-and G-IVSP," Boisture said. Gulfstream now has a $6.8-billion order book for its four business jets.

Moshe Keret, president of IAI, which builds the two airframes, bubbled like the father of two brides at a wedding. "We're very excited to see these two new [Gulfstream] aircraft. They're not Galaxy and Astra SPX," Keret exclaimed. "Gulfstream is the Rolls-Royce of the aircraft industry. This is a recognition of the ability, capability and quality we have in these two aircraft."

IAI has been a niche player in the business aircraft industry for three decades, but its products have been plagued by poor support and marginal market acceptance. That is all changed with Executive Jet International/NetJets' $2.1-billion order for the G200, backed by Gulfstream's famed product support network.

Boisture said the firm's top priorities will be to apply Gulfstream's product strategy to both aircraft, including premium packaged interiors and full product support integration. G200 and G100 will be fully supported at all Gulfstream factory service centers.

"Prior to June 5, there was one factory service center for these two aircraft. Now there are ten," Boisture explained. He also plans to "production-ize" the interiors, streamlining the completion process by installing many cabin systems on the production line. IAI still will manufacture the "green" aircraft, but Gulfstream will acquire the type certificates from CAA-I and FAA, thereby enabling the aircraft to be officially renamed.