Gulfstream launched its latest luxury bizjet offering at a press conference preceding today’s opening of the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland. Improving upon its highly successful G650, the Savannah, Georgia-based company launched the G650ER — ER for extended range — enabling the business jet to fly an additional 500 nautical miles.
This translates to a range of 7,500 nm at Mach 0.85, giving the G650ER the longest legs of any business jet, according to Scott Neal, Gulfstream’s senior vice president of worldwide sales and marketing. The extended range allows the G650ER to reach destinations that were previously not possible without a fuel stop. During flight testing the G650ER flew from Hong Kong to Teterboro, New Jersey, a distance of 7,494 nm, in 14 hours and 7 minutes, landing with NBAA IFR reserves. Neal said the airplane could fly from Geneva to Hawaii.
Gulfstream has delivered more than 60 G650s since its introduction to the market in 2012. The main difference between the G650 and the G650ER is the size of the fuel tanks, allowing for an additional 4,000 pounds of jet-A for a total fuel capacity of 48,200 pounds. An increase in the gross weight has allowed the G650ER to maintain the 54,000 basic operating weight.
The extended range capability requires no structural modifications and the ER option will be available as an aftermarket add-on for existing G650 customers. Pricing has not yet been released for the G650ER or the aftermarket modification.
Gulfstream hopes to achieve FAA certification for the G650ER later this year, with first deliveries and the availability of upgrades in the first quarter of next year. Gulfstream said the original G650 will continue to be offered as well.
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