Graham Warwick/SAVANNAH
GENERAL DYNAMICS is promoting a special mission version of the Gulfstream V business jet to the US Department of Defense (DoD) as a low-cost alternative to aircraft based on retired airliners.
GD is pressing for the DoD to fund a study of its GV derivative, dubbed the EC-37SM, as an alternative to acquiring additional airliner-sized platforms, such as the Boeing EC-135 Rivet Joint electronic intelligence aircraft.
Gulfstream, now a GD subsidiary, says the GV offers a high- altitude capability and long on-station time. Roles foreseen for the special mission variant include communications relay, electronic warfare, reconnaissance, signals intelligence and airborne early warning, says Gulfstream president Bill Boisture. Most of the proposed roles would be accomplished by equipping the aircraft with different external pods, providing mission flexibility, he says.
While efforts to interest the US military in the EC-37SM concept continue, GD has embarked on a search for a partner to help integrate the various mission systems into the GV airframe. "The choice of an integration partner is a key strategic decision, and GD has decided to go outside the company," says Boisture.
Separate from the EC-37SM effort, Gulfstream has teamed with Israel's Elta to bid for an Israeli requirement for two to three electronic-intelligence aircraft to replace elderly Boeing 707s. The bid is based on installing Elta equipment in the GV airframe.
Source: Flight International
