GULFSTREAM Aerospace, is proposing that the Pentagon replace its' aging fleet of Rivet Joint RC-135 electronic-intelligence-gathering aircraft, with militarised Gulf- stream IV-SP business jets.
Although Rivet Joint RC-135s (specially configured Boeing 707s) performed well during Operation Desert Storm in 1991 in Iraq, they are expensive to operate, require extensive support and are 30 years old. The firm says that a plan to re-engine the aircraft operated by the US Air Force's 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing with General Electric/ Snecma CFM-56 turbofan engines has merit, but will be costly.
Company officials note that the Swedish air force has already replaced Sud Aviation Caravelles with EC-20 Gulfstream IVs for high-altitude signal intelligence-gathering missions.
The US Navy picked the G-IV to replace Boeing EA-3 electronic-warfare trainers, but funding constraints caused the USN to abandon the procurement and instead use modified Lockheed P-3s.
A C-20G, the USN's long-range operational-support aircraft, was displayed at the show for the first time. It features a quick-change cabin for cargo, 26 passengers, or a combination of both. A medical-evacuation interior is now available.
A Gulfstream IV-SP is being turned into a hurricane hunter by E-Systems as part of a $34 million US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration contract. Aside from being used to predict the expected path of hurricanes, the modified aircraft will be used as a high-altitude research aircraft.
When the GIV-SP is fielded in July 1996, it will be the only aircraft to be operated by the US Government, which is dedicated to collecting environmental data in the upper troposhere.
Future missions could include, weather research, global climate studies, validation of satellite data and development of remote sensors.
Source: Flight International
