The G500 and G600 were announced by Gulfstream last week, but will not be available for buyers until 2018 and 2019 respectively. The pair of business jets are said to optimise speed, wide-cabin comfort and efficiency – as well as adding some new high-tech safety features.
Both jets are capable of covering some serious ground. The G500 is capable of flying 9,260 km at Mach 0.85 or 7,038 km at Mach 0.90. The G600 is able to travel 11,482 km at Mach 0.85 or 8,890 km at Mach 0.90.
And the maximum operating speed for both aircraft is Mach 0.925, which, at roughly 1,113 kph, is the same speed as the G650 and G650ER.
Each aircraft’s cabin measures 213 cm wide and 188 cm in height, giving additional shoulder and headroom for up to 19 passengers.
Both planes can be fitted with three 'living areas', with the G600 having the option to include a fourth, as well as a crew rest area. And the cabins are designed to be quieter, improving the space for work-related discussion or social conversation.
“The G500 and G600 build upon the technology present in our G650 and our latest aircraft, the G650ER,” said company president Larry Flynn.
“Once again, our customers played a major role in the development and creation of these aircraft. The G500 and G600 continue the long Gulfstream tradition of being the first original equipment manufacturer to ensure an optimal combination of speed, range, wide-cabin comfort and fuel burn.”
The pilots are also treated to the ‘revolutionary’ new SymmetryTM Flight Deck, which offers active control sidesticks (ACSs), integrated touchscreen controllers, a next-generation enhanced vision system (EVS) and Honeywell Primus Epic avionics.
The ACS controls are said to offer enhanced safety and situational awareness over passive sticks through tactile feedback. To ensure they are aware of each other’s actions, the pilot and co-pilot can see and feel each other’s control inputs, helping to improve coordination.
A total of 10 integrated touchscreens, used for system controls, flight management, communication, checklist and flight info, salso enhance the intuitive interaction
The G500's maiden flight is scheduled for 2015. Gulfstream predits it will receive clearance from the US FAA and European Aviation Safety Agency in 2017 and begin deliveries in 2018. Flight testing for the G600 is due to begin at least a year after G500’s launch, and the aircraft could enter service by 2019.
While it is not yet clear how much private buyers will be charged for the two new business jets, Qatar Airways revealed it has signed an MOU to order "up to 20 Gulfstream aircraft, including firm orders and options for the all-new, wide-cabin G500 and the flagship G650ER".