In recent years, demand and scope for using business aircraft as platforms for a wide array of special missions has been rising. Leading manufacturers in the sector—namely Gulfstream, Bombardier, Embraer, Dassault, and Textron—are all now vying for contracts covering applications ranging from electronic warfare to transportation for government leaders and emergency medical services.
A pair of orders from authorities in the Nordic region last month represents a prime example. Finland’s coast guard chose Bombardier’s Challenger 650 jet for its MVX airborne surveillance requirement, while Sweden exercised an option to acquire a third example of the Canadian company’s Global 6000-based S 106 GlobalEye airborne early warning (AEW) platform.
Over the years, Gulfstream has delivered more than 200 business jets to customers in over 40 countries, including all branches of the U.S. military. According to Leda Chong, the company’s vice president of worldwide government sales, it is currently engaged in projects with air forces in the U.S., Australia, and Italy. Current projects cover fields such as airborne research, command and control intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and AEW.
End users can choose from any of Gulfstream’s in-production aircraft, ranging in size from the G280 to the latest long-range, large-cabin G700 and G800 models. Alternatively, pre-owned examples of the G550 jet can be adapted as special mission platforms.
Last year, L3Harris started delivering the first of a new generation of electronic attack platform platforms to the U.S. Air Force. The EC-37B is based on a G550 airframe and Gulfstream is part of the Compass Call Rehost program team, which also includes BAE Systems. The aircraft can be used to target an enemy’s command and control communications network, as well as radars and navigation systems.
Selecting the airframe is just the start. Gulfstream handles the extensive modification work in-house with a dedicated team of engineers who work closely with end users and the manufacturers of the advanced systems that need to be fitted for the various roles, including leading defense prime contractors. Customers select the mission equipment, often as part of a wider defense acquisition process.
“Modifications executed by Gulfstream include significant aircraft adaptions to support and accommodate specialized equipment necessary to address mission-critical needs,” Chong said. “Our approach ensures sufficient space, weight, power, and cooling to support the requirements of the mission systems and the mission crew.”
Among the factors that draw special missions customers to today’s larger business jets are their extended range and ability to quickly reach higher altitudes. Chong highlighted factors such as an unrestricted field of view and flight endurance as important factors too.
Cabin sizes are well suited to accommodating equipment required and can be more cost-effective options than larger airliners. Beyond North America and Europe, demand is also strong in the Middle East, the Indo-Pacific region, and Latin America.
At the 2024 Farnborough Airshow, visitors viewed the U.S. Navy’s new training aircraft for the first time. Textron’s Beechcraft King Air 260 multi-engine training system is replacing the earlier King Air 90-based Beechcraft T-44 Pegasus.