Gulfstream G650

The Gulfstream G650 is an ultra-long-range business jet developed by Gulfstream Aerospace of Savannah, Georgia. The programme began in 2005 and was revealed publicly in 2008, with the first flight following on 25 November 2009 and entry into service in 2012. The G650ER, an extended-range development, adds roughly 500 nautical miles by modifying the fuel system and raising the maximum takeoff weight, and entered service in 2014. Production of the G650 and G650ER ran until 2025, when the line gave way to the larger G700 and G800.

Design

The G650 is a low-wing monoplane with a T-tail and two Rolls-Royce BR725 turbofans mounted on the rear fuselage. The cabin accommodates 11 to 18 passengers and is among the widest in the business jet class. Its high cruise speed of Mach 0.85 to 0.90, with a maximum of Mach 0.925, allows city pairs previously beyond the reach of business aircraft to be flown non-stop. The wing is designed for high-altitude cruise, with a service ceiling of 51,000 feet that keeps the aircraft above most traffic and weather.

Operational History

Beyond its civil role the G650 and G650ER have been adopted by government and military operators for VIP transport, medical evacuation and, increasingly, special mission conversions where long endurance and high cruise altitude are valuable. The Italian Air Force took delivery of its first two G650ERs in April 2025 for government transport duties, joining a fleet that already included the G550.

Variants

Main Variants:

• G650: The baseline ultra-long-range aircraft, in service from 2012.

• G650ER: The extended-range development, adding around 500 nautical miles of range, in service from 2014.

• G700 / G800: Larger and longer-range successors that replaced the G650 in production.