Gulfstream Aerospace’s flagship G700 will have more range and speed, in addition to better passenger comfort, than previously announced, the Savannah, Georgia-based company said yesterday. The G700 flight-test program is also nearing completion, with more than 4,100 hours flown by five flight-test aircraft and two outfitted production-test aircraft. Certification and service entry of the ultra-long-range twinjet is set for the fourth quarter of 2023, a company spokeswoman told AIN.
The G700’s range has been increased to 7,750 nm at Mach 0.85 and to 6,650 nm at Mach 0.90, representing a 250-nm boost at both speeds versus original projections. Mmo was also increased, from Mach 0.925 to Mach 0.935, matching the top speed of the midsize Cessna Citation X+. Meanwhile, the cabin altitude has been further reduced to 2,840 feet at 41,000 feet, meaning passengers should experience less fatigue on flights.
“We are undertaking one of the most extensive flight-test programs as the G700 is the first business aircraft to undergo FAA certification following the passage of the 2020 Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act,” said Gulfstream president Mark Burns. “As a result, we will be delivering an extremely mature, rigorously tested aircraft that will outperform expectations in speed, range, and cabin comfort.”
There are 40 G700s—including the seven used for certification flight testing—listed in the FAA registry, with industry analysts estimating that about two dozen are in completions or already completed. Phebe Novakovic, chairman and CEO of Gulfstream parent General Dynamics, said in late July that Gulfstream plans to deliver 19 G700s to customers in the fourth quarter following FAA certification.
The company spokeswoman also confirmed that certification of the G700’s shorter sibling, the G800, is expected to follow in mid-2024.