Gulfstream G550

{{short description|Executive transport aircraft family}} {{About|the GV-SP based G550 and G500|newer G500|Gulfstream G500/G600}}  {{Use American English|date=February 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2026}} {{Infobox aircraft |name=Gulfstream G500/G550 C-37B |image= File:2010-07-21 G550 NetJets CS-DKE EDDF 01.jpg{{!}}border |caption=A Netjets Europe G550 business jet on final approach |type= [[Business jet]] |manufacturer= [[Gulfstream Aerospace]] |national_origin=United States |designer= |first_flight=31 August 2001<ref>{{cite web |title=Gulfstream V-SP Test Article Makes First Flight Four Weeks Ahead Of Schedule |url=http://www.gulfstreamnews.com/en/news/?id=a3e3e7d1-53cd-4fd9-9004-a85f09388ec0 |website=Gulfstream |access-date=22 September 2024 |date=31 August 2001}}</ref> |introduction= 2004 |retired= |status= In service |primary_user= [[United States Air Force]] |more_users= [[United States Navy]] [[Israeli Air Force]]  |produced= 2003–2021 |number_built= >600<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2021-07-02/gulfstream-g550-production-reaches-end-line |title= Gulfstream G550 Production Reaches End of the Line |publisher= AIN}}</ref> |developed_from= [[Gulfstream V]] |developed_into= |variants= [[L3Harris EA-37B Compass Call]] }}

The '''Gulfstream G550''' is an American [[business jet]] aircraft produced by the [[General Dynamics]]' [[Gulfstream Aerospace]] unit in [[Savannah, Georgia]], US. The certification designation is '''GV-SP'''. A version with reduced fuel capacity was marketed as the '''G500'''. Gulfstream ceased production of the G550 in July 2021.

The U.S. Military uses the Gulfstream G550 design as the C-37B and EA-37B Compass Call, the related Gulfstream V is the C-37A.

==Development== [[File:Gulfstream Aerospace G-V-SP Gulfstream G550 AN1299906.jpg|thumb|G550 cabin]]

The first production G550 (GV-SP) flew on 18 July 2002 and the aircraft received its FAA [[type certificate]] on August 14, 2003.<ref name= typeCert>{{cite web |url= http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/2d504046f9657ec386257f610074fcfb/$FILE/A12EA_Rev46.pdf |title= Type Certificate date Sheet NO. A12EA, revision 46 |publisher= FAA |date= February 22, 2016 |access-date= June 22, 2016 |archive-date= November 15, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161115025943/http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/2d504046f9657ec386257f610074fcfb/$FILE/A12EA_Rev46.pdf |url-status= dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Gulfstream's GV-SP Makes First Flight July 18 |url=http://aviationweek.com/gulfstreams-gv-sp-makes-first-flight-july-18 |access-date=15 October 2023 |work=Aviation Week Network |date=29 July 2002}}</ref> In 2014, Gulfstream looked at a re-engine with the [[Rolls-Royce Pearl]] BR700 development announced in May 2018 for the new [[Bombardier Global Express|Global Express]] 5500 and 6500 variants but preferred the BR725-powered, 7,500 nmi [[Gulfstream G650|G650]].<ref>{{cite news |url= http://aviationweek.com/ebace-2018/whats-radar-gulfstream |title= What's On The Radar For Gulfstream? |date= May 30, 2018 |author= Molly McMillin |work= Aviation Week Network}}</ref> The 500th Gulfstream G550 aircraft was delivered in May 2015.<ref name=500thPR>{{cite press release |title= Gulfstream Delivers 500th G550 |url=http://www.gd.com/news/press-releases/2015/05/gulfstream-delivers-500th-g550 |publisher= General Dynamics |date= 2015-05-17}}</ref>

Deliveries went from 50 aircraft in 2011 to 19 in 2016 and with 40 units for sale in a fleet of 540. Valuations of the G550 are falling: a 10-year-old G550 valued $28 million a year before is worth $18-$20 million in January 2017, while a two-year-old went from $40 to $35 million.<ref name=Flight18jan2017>{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/analysis-gulfstream-g550-could-bow-out-in-2019-432888/ |title= Gulfstream G550 could bow out in 2019 |date= 18 January 2017 |work= Flight Global}}</ref> In May 2017, early 2003 G550s were valued at $14 million against more than $45 million for newly purchased aircraft, flying an average of 425 hours per year.<ref name=BCA27Apr2017>{{cite news |url= http://aviationweek.com/business-aviation/gulfstream-g550-priceperformance-sweet-spot-large-cabin-class |title= Gulfstream G550: Price/Performance Sweet Spot In Large-Cabin Class |date= Apr 27, 2017 |author= Fred George |work= Business & Commercial Aviation |publisher= Aviation Week Network}}</ref> In December 2018, a 2012-2013 G550 was valued $28-31 million, and cost $7,135 per hour for 400 hours a year.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://sherpareport.com/aircraft/costs-own-g550.html |title= The Costs to Own and Operate a Gulfstream G550 |date= Dec 6, 2018 |author= Nick Copley |work= [[SherpaReport]]}}</ref>

As it was replaced by the [[Gulfstream G600]] by October 2019, the G550 was kept in limited production for long-term special missions applications and government orders.<ref name=BCA23oct2019>{{cite news |url= https://aviationweek.com/business-aviation/pilot-report-gulfstream-g600-worthy-successor-g550 |title= Pilot Report: Gulfstream G600 Is A Worthy Successor To The G550 |date= Oct 23, 2019 |author= Fred George |work= Business & Commercial Aviation}}</ref>

The final commercially available G550 was delivered in June 2021 after more than 600 of the aircraft were produced.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Spruce |first1=Terry |title=GULFSTREAM DELIVERS FINAL G550 BUSINESS JET |url=https://www.corporatejetinvestor.com/news/gulfstream-delivers-final-g550-business-jet/ |website=Corporate Jet Investor |publisher=Specialist Insight |access-date=1 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2021-07-02/gulfstream-g550-production-reaches-end-line |title= Gulfstream G550 Production Reaches End of the Line |publisher= AIN}}</ref>

==Design== [[File:Gulfstream G550 flight deck.jpg|thumb|G550 flight deck]]

Compared to the Gulfstream V, drag reduction details boost range by {{cvt|250|nmi|km}} and increase [[fuel efficiency]]. [[Maximum takeoff weight]] (MTOW) is increased by {{cvt|500|lb}} and takeoff performance is enhanced. A seventh pair of windows is added and the entry door is moved {{cvt|2|ft}} forward to increase usable cabin length. The PlaneView flight deck features [[Pointing device|cursor control devices]], [[Honeywell Primus]] Epic avionics, standard [[head-up guidance system]] by [[Rockwell Collins]] and [[enhanced vision system]] by [[Elbit]], improving [[situational awareness]] in [[Instrument meteorological conditions|reduced visibility conditions]].<ref name=BCA27Apr2017/>

Initial long-range cruise altitude is FL 400–410, first hour fuel burn is {{cvt|4500–5000|lb}} que decreasing for the second hour to {{cvt|3000 and 2400|lb}} for the last hour. Flight hourly budget is $700–950 for engine reserves, $250 for parts and 2.5 maintenance hours. It competed against the [[Bombardier Global 6000]], which has higher direct operating costs and less range but a more spacious cross section, and the [[Dassault Falcon 7X]] with [[fly-by-wire]] flight controls, better [[fuel efficiency]] and a wider but shorter cabin.<ref name=BCA27Apr2017/>

==Variants== ;{{visible anchor|GV-SP}} :The same as the [[Gulfstream V|Gulfstream V or GV]] with a new flightdeck display system, airframe aerodynamic and engine improvements, main entry door moved forward, also marketed as the G550. ;G500 :The Gulfstream G500 has a reduced fuel capacity.<ref name= typeCert/> Introduced in 2004 as a shorter {{convert|5800|nmi|km}} range version, it has the same exterior appearance, as well as the PlaneView [[cockpit]], but [[Visual Docking Guidance System|Visual Guidance System]] (HUD) and [[Synthetic vision system|Enhanced Vision System]] (EVS) are options. Its unit cost was $48.25 million in 2012 (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|48.25|2012}} million in {{Inflation/year|US}})<ref>{{cite web |url=http://awin.aviationweek.com/portals/awin/pdfs/BCAOpPlanningGuide/2012_Production.pdf |title=Operations Planning Guide |work=Business & Commercial Aviation |date=2012 |publisher=Aviation Week}}</ref> ;G550 :Marketing name for the GV-SP. Its equipped price was $54.5 million in 2021 (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|54.5|2021}} million in {{Inflation/year|US}}).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://infogram.com/bca-table-jets-1h8n6m3l3dvqj4x?live |title=Purchase planning handbook - Ultra long-range jets table |date=Second Quarter 2021 |work=Business & Commercial Aircraft}}</ref> [[File:U.S. Air Force, 09-0525, Gulfstream Aerospace C-37B (27878765353).jpg|thumb|[[United States Air Force|U.S. Air Force]] C-37B]] ;C-37B :[[United States Armed Forces|U.S. military]] designation for the G550 in a VIP passenger configuration. ;[[EA-37B Compass Call]] :U.S. military designation G550 version in an Electronic Warfare configuration to replace USAF's existing [[EC-130H Compass Call]] aircraft.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baesystems.com/en/article/moving-compass-call-electronic-warfare-system-to-modern-business-jet |access-date=8 April 2020 |title=Moving Compass Call electronic warfare system to modern business jet}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/l3harris-flies-ec-37b-compass-call-electronic-warfare-jet-for-first-time/145816.article |title=L3Harris flies EC-37B Compass Call electronic warfare jet for first time}}</ref> Previously known as EC-37B, on November 14, 2023, [[Air Combat Command]] redesignated the platform as EA-37B to better identify its mission of finding and attacking enemy land or sea targets.<ref>{{cite web |title=EC-37B Mission Design Series designation change to EA-37B |url=https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3588046/ec-37b-mission-design-series-designation-change-to-ea-37b/ |website=Air Combat Command |date=14 November 2023 |access-date=22 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Tirpak |first1=John A. |title=New EC-37B Gets a Designation Change to EA-37B |url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/new-ec-37b-designation-change-ea-37b/ |website=Air & Space Forces Magazine |date=20 November 2023 |access-date=22 November 2023}}</ref> ;NC-37B :U.S. military designation for proposed G550 with the "Conformal AEW" body shape for use as range telemetry aircraft for U.S. Navy.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.janes.com/article/59202/us-navy-to-customise-g550-aew-airframe-for-range-telemetry-support/ |title=US Navy to customise G550 AEW airframe for range telemetry support |work=Jane's International Defence Review |date=1 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/23448/behold-the-first-official-photo-of-the-navys-new-nc-37b-missile-tracking-bizjet |title=Behold The First Official Photo Of The Navy's New NC-37B Missile Tracking Jet |last=Trevithick |first=Joseph |website=The Drive |date=7 September 2018 |access-date=2018-10-11}}</ref> ;MC-55A Peregrine :[[Royal Australian Air Force]] designation for [[SIGINT]] and [[ELINT]] [[intelligence gathering]] variant.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/raaf-gets-four-new-ew-aircraft |title=RAAF gets four new EW aircraft |work=Australian Defence Magazine |date=18 March 2019 |language=en |access-date=2019-03-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |author=Minister for Defence Christopher Pyne |title=New "Peregrine" electronic warfare aircraft for Air Force |url=https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/media-releases/2019-03-18/new-peregrine-electronic-warfare-aircraft-air-force-0 |website=Department of Defence Ministers |access-date=1 February 2026 |date=18 March 2019}}</ref>

[[File:RSAF Gulfstream IAI G550 CAEW (Conformal Airborne Early Warning).jpg|thumb|Republic of Singapore Air Force G550 with [[EL/W-2085]] radar system]] ;G550 CAEW :[[Israel]] has acquired a number of G550s, fitted with the [[EL/W-2085]] sensor package (a newer derivative of the [[EL/M-2075 Phalcon|Phalcon]] system) for [[Airborne Early Warning]] (AEW) use and named the aircraft ''Eitam''. This aircraft is heavily modified for the AEW role by Gulfstream's partner, [[Israel Aerospace Industries]] (IAI), and is also called CAEW (Conformal Airborne Early Warning) by Gulfstream Special Missions Department.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iai.co.il/2013/33785-36643-en/ELTA.aspx |title=ELW-2085 - CAEW - Conformal Airborne Early Warning & Control |publisher=IAI}}</ref> Israel has also acquired a number of G550s dubbed SEMA (Special Electronic Missions Aircraft) with systems EL/I-3001 integration also carried out by IAI.<ref name=IsraelreceivefirstEitam>{{Cite news |url=http://mobiledevdesign.com/news/israel-receive-first-three-eitam-aew-aircraft |title=Israel to receive the first of three Eitam AEW aircraft |date=February 13, 2008 |publisher=Penton}}</ref> In 2012, [[Italy]] acquired two G550 CAEWs as part of a counter-deal to Israel's $1 billion (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=1000000000|start_year=2012}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}) order for 30 Alenia Aermacchi [[M-346]] advanced jet trainers.<ref name=FG120720>{{cite news |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/italy-signs-g550-aew-deal-with-israel-374579/ |title=Italy signs G550 AEW deal with Israel |work=Flight Global |date=20 July 2012}}</ref> In 2022, Italy ordered two additional aircraft.<ref>{{cite news |title=Secret NATO Client of Israeli Spy Planes Revealed |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/security-aviation/2022-08-28/ty-article/.premium/secret-nato-client-of-israeli-spy-planes-revealed/00000182-ce84-dfe2-aba3-efeee72f0000 |access-date=10 September 2022 |work=[[Haaretz]] |date=28 April 2022}}</ref> [[Singapore]] ordered four similar G550 CAEW aircraft equipped with the EL/W-2085 sensor package from Gulfstream and IAI.<ref>{{cite news |author=Govindasamy, Siva |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/picture-singapore-takes-delivery-of-first-g550-aew-322937/ |title=Singapore takes delivery of first G550 AEW |work=Flight International |date=February 23, 2009}}</ref> [[L3Harris]] AERIS A is a similar platform using the G550.{{cn|date=May 2026}} ;E-550A: Italian military designation for the G550 CAEW<ref name="dgaa">{{cite web |date=11 December 2020 |title=Utilizzo della Nomenclatura "Mission Design Series" (MDS) nelle Pubblicazioni Tecniche (PP.TT.) di competenza della DAAA AER(EP).0-0-12 |url=https://www.difesa.it/assets/allegati/35792/aer_ep_0_0_12_em1_ed_24022023.pdf |access-date=14 May 2020 |publisher=Ministero della Defesa}}</ref> ;Air-to-air refueling variant: [[Israel Aerospace Industries]] has studied adapting the G550 for [[Aerial refueling|air-to-air refueling]] use.<ref>{{cite news |author=Egozi, Arie |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/iai-and-gulfstream-planning-g550-tanker-216019/ |title=IAI and Gulfstream planning G550 tanker |work=Flight International |date=August 13, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Egozi, Arie |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/iai-continues-to-evaluate-g550-for-air-refuelling-351235/ |title=IAI continues to evaluate G550 for air refuelling |work=Flight International |date=December 23, 2010}}</ref>

== Operators == [[File:Gulfstream G550.svg|thumb|Gulfstream G550 government and military operators]]{{Main|List of Gulfstream G550 operators}} The aircraft is operated by numerous governments, private individuals, companies and executive charter operators. A number of companies also use the aircraft as part of fractional ownership programs.

== Specifications == [[File:Gulfstream G500 3-view line drawing.svg|thumb|Gulfstream G500]] {{Aircraft specs |ref=''G550 Brochure''<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.gulfstream.com/images/uploads/brochures/aircraft/Gulfstream_G550_BrochureV2.pdf |title= G550 Brochure |publisher= Gulfstream |date= July 2016 |access-date= 2016-07-23 |archive-date= 2016-08-03 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160803224156/http://www.gulfstream.com/images/uploads/brochures/aircraft/Gulfstream_G550_BrochureV2.pdf |url-status= dead }}</ref> |prime units?=kts  |crew=2 pilots, 0–2 attendants |capacity=14–19 passengers / {{cvt|6200|lb|0}} payload :* '''Cabin dimensions: height × width × length''' {{cvt|1.88|x|2.24|x|13.39|m|ftin|order=flip}}; total length including baggage hold: {{cvt|50|ft|1|in|m|2}} :* '''Cabin volume:''' {{cvt|1669|cuft|2}}; usable baggage compartment volume: {{cvt|170|cuft|2}} :* '''[[Cabin altitude]]:''' {{cvt|6000|ft|0}}<ref>{{cite press release |url= http://gulfstreamnews.com/news/gulfstream-v-in-service-for-10-years |title= Gulfstream V in Service For 10 years |publisher= Gulfstream |date= June 18, 2007 }}</ref> |length ft=96 |length in=5 |length note= |span ft=93 |span in=6 |span note= |height ft=25 |height in=10 |height note= |wing area sqft= |wing area note= |aspect ratio= |airfoil='''root:''' [[NACA airfoil|NACA]] 0012; '''tip:''' NACA 0012<ref name="Selig">{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website= m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |access-date=16 April 2019}}</ref> |empty weight lb=48300 |empty weight note= |gross weight lb=54500 |gross weight note= |max takeoff weight lb=91000 |max takeoff weight note= *'''Maximum landing weight:''' {{cvt|75300|lb|0}} |fuel capacity= {{cvt|41300|lb|0}} |more general=  |eng1 number=2 |eng1 name=[[Rolls-Royce BR700#BR710|Rolls-Royce BR710]] C4-11 |eng1 type=[[turbofan]] engines |eng1 lbf=15385 |eng1 note=  |max speed note= |max speed mach= |cruise speed kts= |cruise speed note= |stall speed kts= |stall speed note= |never exceed speed kts= |never exceed speed note= |minimum control speed kts= |minimum control speed note= |range nmi=6750 |range note= * '''High Speed Cruise:''' M0.85 at {{cvt|41000|ft}} *'''Long Range Cruise:''' M0.80 at {{cvt|41000|ft}} *'''Maximum Mach Operating (MMO):''' M0.885 at {{cvt|41000|ft}} |ferry range nmi= |ferry range note= |endurance= |ceiling ft=51000 |ceiling note= |climb rate ftmin= |climb rate note= |time to altitude= |wing loading lb/sqft= |wing loading note= |fuel consumption lb/mi= |thrust/weight=

|more performance= *'''Take-off run:''' {{cvt|5910|ft}} *'''Landing run:''' {{cvt|2770|ft}}

|avionics= }}

==See also== {{aircontent |see also=

|related= * [[Gulfstream G450]] * [[Gulfstream G650]] * [[Gulfstream V]] |similar aircraft= * [[Airbus Corporate Jets]] * [[Boeing Business Jet]] * [[Bombardier Global Express]] * [[Dassault Falcon 7X]] * [[Dassault Falcon 8X]] |lists= }}

==References== ===Notes=== {{Reflist|35em}}

==External links== {{Commons and category|Gulfstream G550}} * {{Official website|http://www.gulfstream.com/aircraft/gulfstream-g550|Official Gulfstream G550 page}} * {{cite web |url= http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/g550.htm |title= Gulfstream G550 |publisher= GlobalSecurity.org}} * {{cite web |url= http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/AcftRef_Results.aspx?Mfrtxt=gulfstream&Modeltxt=g550&pageNo= |publisher= FAA |title= G550 ownership registry by state |access-date= 2010-02-15 |archive-date= 2014-05-12 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140512220324/http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/AcftRef_Results.aspx?Mfrtxt=gulfstream&Modeltxt=g550&pageNo= |url-status= dead }}

[[Category:Gulfstream aircraft|G550]] [[Category:1990s United States business aircraft]] [[Category:Twinjets]] [[Category:T-tail aircraft]] [[Category:Low-wing aircraft]] [[Category:Aircraft first flown in 2004]] [[Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear]]