This past year has seen delivery of 38 completed G-Vs, bringing total deliveries to customers to 61. By year-end, Gulfstream expects to deliver another 14 outfitted G-Vs, bringing the total to 75, according to Gulfstream senior vice president of sales and marketing Joe Walker.

"If we keep on the beat, there will be 100 in customer service by the end of the year 2000," he says.

Thumbs up as Ted Forstmann takes delivery of the 50th G-V.

Since the first customer delivery in mid-1997, the in-service fleet of G-Vs has accumulated more than 18,000 flight hours. Two operators have so far exceeded 1,000 hours in worldwide operations.

The G-V has met or exceeded its original design goals, Gulfstream says, including flying 6,500 nmi at speeds up to Mach 0.85 and a maximum cruise altitude of 51,000 feet in regular customer operations. The company has thus made few changes to the G-V in the past year.

"There are no plans for (modifications)," says Gulfstream senior vice president of programs Pres Henne, "because the original airplane hit spec dead-on. The airplane is doing what it's supposed to do so we're not tweaking the basics."

On the technical side, Gulfstream is in the midst of proof of concept flight tests on the Gulfstream V enhanced vision system (EVS), an infrared thermal imaging processing system that improves visual cues to the pilot at night and in low visibility. The imagery is provided through a Kollsman camera equipped with an indium antimonide sensor that can see runway lights through poor weather at the minimum approach altitude of 60 meters. Data are then displayed on the Honeywell head-up display.

"We characterize the EVS as a very significant improvement in terms of cockpit and pilot awareness," said Henne. "It is probably the most significant improvement in landing aids since ILS."

In situations where airport visibility is greater than 220 meters, EVS will allow Gulfstream aircraft to realize effective Cat II minimums (30 meters) at Cat I, II and III airports. Phase 2 of the program will allow a0pproaches at low as 15 meters. Gulfstream is developing the G-V EVS in cooperation with Maryland Advanced Development Laboratories in Baltimore.
It is expected to be certified in the spring of 2000, and cost under $500,000, not including the estimated $400,000 cost of the HUD. Henne suggests that 75% of G-V customers who purchase a HUD will opt for the additional EVS. The EVS will be certified first on G-V, then offered later on the G-IVSP.

As more G-Vs enter service, Gulfstream has also enhanced its maintenance offerings by including the G-V in its Gulfstream ServiceCare program, which offers nose-to-tail guaranteed hourly cost maintenance. Previously, the program included only new Gulfstream IVSP aircraft. It covers almost every component, assembly and system on the aircraft, as well as costs associated with engine midlife inspections, overhauls and loaner engines. Gulfstream provides the support, Jet Support Services Inc. manages and administers the program.

Though the G-V was not the platform chosen for the billion-dollar UK Astor battlefield surveillance program, it is capturing a significant share of a growing world market for government and special mission aircraft. Gulfstream has sold six G-Vs to the U.S. government (designated C-37A), three to the government of Kuwait, and the first special mission G-V to an international customerthe kingdom of Saudi Arabiafor medical evacuation. The G-V platform is also competing for the next major aerial surveillance competitionthe NATO Ground Surveillance System program.

The G-V intercontinental business jet holds 57 world and national speed and distance records, including more than 30 city-pair world records for speed and range in the FAI C-1.L class. In its latest record, the intercontinental business jet, carrying eight passengers and four crew members, flew from Johannesburg, South Africa, to Manila, in the Philippinesthe first time these two cities had been linked in a non-stop flight of about 13 1/2 hours. The aircraft cruised at a speed of Mach 0.80 at altitudes of up to 51,000 feet.

Gulfstream recently marked the beginning of its third year of G-V service by delivering the 50th one to Gulfstream chairman Theodore Forstmann.

"It is appropriate that Ted Forstmann received this milestone 50th delivery for the Gulfstream V program," said Gulfstream president and COO Bill Boisture. "Ted has been a long- standing customer of Gulfstream, and a strong leader for this company for the past six years. He knows personally that Gulfstream builds the finest business aircraft in the world today."