Gulfstream today revealed platform and performance details for its new super mid-size family member, the $24 million G250.
Based on the $22 million G200 that is today built by partner company Israeli Aircraft Industries (IAI), the G250 is to deliver the largest cabin and the longest range at the fastest speed in its class, says the Savannah, Georgia-based manufacturer. Gulfstream says first flight of the G250 will take place in the second half of 2009, and certification and entry into service are slated for 2011.
The G250 is powered by two Honeywell HTF7250G turbofan engines, each producing 7,445lb thrust, and features a new transonic wing design optimized for high-speed cruise and take-off performance. It will be capable of taking off in less than 5,000ft, traveling 3,400nm at M0.80 and landing in 5,000ft or less with margins.
The engine is based on the HTF7000 engine that powers the Bombardier Challenger 300, also a super mid-size offering. Gulfstream says it will let the market determine whether the new twin-jet will replace the G200.
Specifications reveal a climb time to 41,000ft of less than 20 minutes, maximum cruising altitude is 45,000ft with an associated cabin altitude of 7,000ft (1,000ft lower than for the G200) and top cruise speed of M0.85. Cabin altitude at 41,000ft will be 6,000ft. Gulfstream says the aircraft will be capable of flying non-stop with four passengers from New York to Paris or London to Dubai at M0.82 against 85% annual winds with NBAA reserves.
IAI will assemble the G250 in Israel, as it does for the G150 and G200, and fly the green aircraft to Gulfstream’s Dallas, Texas facility for completion with a choice of three floor plans seating eight, nine or 10 passengers.
IAI will also build the aircraft’s fuselage, empennage and landing gear. Spirit Aerosystems will build the new Gulfstream-engineered wing, a key enabler for the aircraft’s superior payload versus range performance compared to the G200 and other super mid-size competitors, including the Challenger 300, Hawker 4000 and Embraer Legacy 500.
Rockwell Collins is to provide the integrated avionics for the G250, part of the new PlaneView250 flight deck that feature three 15.3in displays that can show multiple formats for charts, navigation, synoptics and flight planning data. Pilots will access the displays using Gulfstream’s trademark side-console mounted hand controllers.
Options include Gulfstream’s EVS II enhanced vision system as well as Rockwell Collins’ LCD head-up display and synthetic vision systems. The G250 features a traditional control column with fly-by-wire limited to rudders and spoilers.
As with other new Gulfstream aircraft, the user community provided the seeds for the new design. “Our customers played a definitive role in designing this business jet by participating in our advanced technology customer advisory team,” says Joe Lombardo, president of Gulfstream. “As a result, we are confident they’ll appreciate the G250’s state-of-art technology, superior performance and enhanced styling.”
Source: Flight International
