Rod Simpson examines the different variants of Gulfstream business jets, some of which are used for special missions roles.
The name Gulfstream is synonymous with business aviation. More than 2,360 Gulfstream business jets have been built since 1958 and large numbers are in service around the world with major corporations, wealthy individuals and governments. They have also found a key role for special missions with military operators.
In 2016, Gulfstream, based in Savannah, Georgia, celebrated the 50th anniversary of the first flight of the original Gulfstream GII. The model line has gone through many upgrades and improvements over the years. Today’s G650, with its glass cockpit and state-of-the-art avionics, is a very different machine from the GII.
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation is part of the General Dynamics group, but the origins of its business jets lie with Grumman Aerospace, which moved into civil aviation in the post-war era with the glamorous Mallard amphibian, designed as an air yacht for wealthy private owners. This led on to the turboprop Gulfstream I, which was a modern executive aircraft, powered by a pair of Rolls-Royce Dart turboprops, 200 of which were built for America’s leading corporations.
