OREANDA-NEWS. December 21, 2012. Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. today delivered its first fully outfitted ultra-large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G650 aircraft. The first aircraft was delivered to a U.S. customer. Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE:GD).

“We’re extremely proud of this aircraft and the work that’s been done by the G650 design, build and supplier teams,” said Larry Flynn, president, Gulfstream. “The first delivery of an aircraft is always an auspicious occasion and this one is especially so. This delivery represents the beginning of a new era in aircraft design and manufacturing in terms of quality, capabilities, reliability, parts availability and maintenance activities.

“We’re thrilled to see the first G650 leave our hangar for a customer’s. Soon the G650 will be a common sight at airports around the world,” Flynn said.

Jay L. Johnson, chairman and chief executive officer of Gulfstream’s parent corporation, General Dynamics, said, “The G650 sets a new world standard for business-jet performance, range, speed and comfort. I am very proud of the Gulfstream team. They have done a superb job in designing and manufacturing an aircraft that is already the envy of the global market.”

Gulfstream recently announced enhanced performance characteristics for the G650, including more range. The G650 can now travel 6,000 nautical miles (11,112 km) at its high-speed cruise of Mach 0.90. This is a 1,000-nm (1,852-km) increase over the original target of 5,000 nm (9,260 km). The additional capability makes city pairs such as Tokyo to New York, New York to Dubai, Shanghai to London and Moscow to Los Angeles possible at speeds faster than any other business jet.

The G650’s takeoff balanced field length decreased to 5,858 feet (1,786 m) from the original 6,000 feet (1,829 m) at the aircraft’s maximum takeoff weight of 99,600 pounds (45,179 kg). This improvement allows the G650 to fly farther from demanding, short runways.

The G650 has a maximum cruise speed of Mach 0.925, making it the fastest certified civilian aircraft in production. Each of its two Rolls-Royce BR725 A1-12 engines provides 16,900 pounds of thrust, yet the aircraft burns less fuel and produces fewer emissions than other aircraft.

The G650 cabin includes a number of technologically advanced systems, including the Gulfstream-designed Cabin Management System, which allows passengers to use personal electronic devices to control the cabin’s high-definition audio and video components as well as cabin lighting, cabin temperature, window shades and other cabin functions, including the Gulfstream CabinView Passenger Flight Information System.

The cabin adheres to Gulfstream’s Cabin Essential design philosophy. This means the cabin systems (lighting, power, cabin control, cabin entertainment, and the water and waste systems) are designed with redundancy that minimizes the risk of losing cabin functionality.

The G650 earned its type certificate from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration on Sept. 7, 2012.