Gulfstream Increases Ranges of G500, G600

Gulfstream Aerospace has increased the ranges of its G500 and G600 by 100 nm at both long-range and high-speed cruise speeds based on real-time operations, the Savannah, Georgia-based airframer announced today. According to Gulfstream, the G500 can now fly 5,300 nm at Mach 0.85 and 4,500 nm at Mach 0.90, while the G600 increases its range to 6,600 nm at long-range and 5,600 nm at high-speed cruise.

“The G500 and G600 have been exceeding expectations since they entered service,” said Gulfstream president Mark Burns. “This latest demonstrated range increase provides further proof of the tremendous efficiency and versatility of these aircraft. The Gulfstream team is always looking for opportunities to improve aircraft capabilities and the customer experience, and we are pleased to deliver another performance enhancement.”

Also getting a performance bump is the G600’s payload capacity with full fuel, which increases to 2,600 pounds thanks to a reduction of 570 pounds in the twinjet’s basic operating weight. “What’s exciting for existing customers is that these improvements already exist on their in-service aircraft with no modifications required,” Burns added.

Both the G500 and G600 exceeded range expectations in their flight-test programs, with the G600 adding 700 nm of high-speed-cruise range before entering service. On Wednesday, Phebe Novakovic—chairman and CEO of Gulfstream parent General Dynamics—said more than 90 G500/600s will be in service by year-end.