Gulfstream Aerospace will continue building the Gulfstream IV business jet "for the foreseeable future" but may decide to end production of the Gulfstream IV-SP in favour of the proposed longer-range Gulfstream IV-B.
Last September, the US aircraft maker disclosed that it was undertaking a major study to develop a 8,510km (4,600nm) range aircraft designated the IV-B. A key element of the study was to determine whether the new GIV variant -with an increased wingspan and a new winglet design - could produce an additional 740km (400nm) of range.
Bill Boisture, Gulfstream's president and chief operating officer, says a market survey is continuing but a preliminary engineering definition and design effort on the new design has been wrapped up. "We said we would decide on launch of the new GIV this summer, and we plan to honour that commitment," says Boisture.
The engineering study indicates that no more than a 463 to 555km (250-300nm) gain in range is achievable. Production would not begin before the middle of 1997.
Boisture says the GIV-B would replace the GIV-SP, which is the current model. "We looked at our manufacturing flexibility and it appears that structural changes required in the wing...would preclude two-aircraft production.
However, GIV production will continue indefinitely despite launch of the long-range Gulfstream V project.
Source: Flight International
