Gulfstream IV

The Gulfstream G650 program was initiated internally in May 2005 and publicly announced on March 13, 2008, with company executives stating that the new model would be Gulfstream's largest, fastest, and most expensive business jet upon its market entry. The wing design was completed in 2006, followed by 1,400 hours of wind tunnel testing by 2008. A pressure-test fuselage was built and tested, including an ultimate-pressure test of 18.37 psi (127 kPa). The G650 taxied under its own power for the first time on September 26, 2009, with a public rollout ceremony held on September 29, 2009. The maiden flight occurred on November 25, 2009, and flight testing for the maximum operating speed of Mach 0.925 was completed by May 4, 2010. Gulfstream reported that the G650 reached a maximum speed of Mach 0.995 during a dive as part of its 1,800-hour flight test program on August 26, 2010. After a crash in April 2011, which was determined to be related to speeds carried out for the single engine takeoff run, the G650 test aircraft were grounded until May 28, 2011. On September 7, 2012, the G650 received its type certificate from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), with the first delivery to a customer on December 27, 2012. Production on the G650 ended in February 2025, with it being replaced by the G800.

The Gulfstream G650's design incorporates several advanced features to enhance performance and passenger comfort. The fuselage cross-section deviates from the conventional circular shape, adopting an oval form with a flatter lower portion to optimize cabin space. This design enables a cabin that is 8 feet 6 inches (2.59 m) wide and 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) high, accommodating between 11 and 18 passengers. Construction primarily involves metal for the fuselage and wing, while composite materials are strategically utilized for the empennage, winglets, rear pressure bulkhead, engine cowlings, cabin floor structure, and various fairings. The elliptical cabin windows, numbering eight on each side, measure 28 inches (71 cm) wide. Panels are bonded rather than riveted to reduce the number of parts compared to earlier models. The G650 wing has a sweep of 36 degrees, incorporating a continuously changing curve along the leading edge and a variable airfoil from root to tip, complemented by winglets. Aircraft controls are fly-by-wire, employing dual hydraulic systems to actuate flight surfaces, enhancing precision and reducing pilot workload.

The Gulfstream G650 is primarily designed for civilian executive transport and does not feature any standard military armament. However, in May 2014, Gulfstream confirmed that the G650 was offered to the United States Air Force as a potential replacement for the E-8C JSTARS air-to-ground surveillance and targeting aircraft, with emerging requirements calling for an aircraft with a 10-13 man crew and a belly-mounted radar 3.9–6 m (13–20 ft) long; ultimately the Air Force did not move forward with the replacement. The airframe’s capability to house such modifications indicates its potential for highly specialized payloads.

Introduced as the company's flagship, the Gulfstream G650 was noted for its speed and range. Following its introduction, the G650 saw widespread adoption among executive users, becoming a preferred choice for high-profile individuals and corporations seeking efficient and luxurious long-range travel. The G650's role in business aviation was recognized with the Collier Trophy in 2014.

Main Variants:

• G650: This is the initial production version of the aircraft.

• G650ER: An extended-range version, its maximum takeoff weight and fuel capacity were increased, enabling it to fly 7,500 nautical miles at Mach 0.85.

• G700: Announced in October 2019, this variant features a 10 ft 1 in (3.07 m) stretch for a longer cabin, enhanced with five areas and ten windows per side, and powered by more efficient Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 turbofans.

• G800: This aircraft was announced in October 2021 as a replacement for the G650.