The Gulfstream V (G-V), officially designated as the Gulfstream Aerospace G-1159 Gulfstream V, is a legendary ultra-long-range business jet that pushed the boundaries of private aviation when it debuted in the late 1990s. It was Gulfstream's first aircraft to break the intercontinental barrier with ease, capable of flying nonstop across oceans and continents with unmatched speed, range, and luxury for its time.

🛩️ Overview:

• Role: Ultra-long-range business jet
• Manufacturer: Gulfstream Aerospace
• First flight: November 28, 1995
• Introduced: 1997
• Total built: ~191 (civil G-Vs)
• Designation: G-1159B
• Developed from: Gulfstream IV
• Succeeded by: Gulfstream G550 (an improved version of the G-V)

🛠️ Key Specifications:

• Engines: 2 × BMW-Rolls-Royce BR710-A1-10 turbofans
• Thrust: ~14,750 lbf (65.6 kN) each
• Wingspan: 93 ft 6 in (28.5 m)
• Length: 96 ft 5 in (29.4 m)
• Cruise speed: Mach 0.80 (614 mph / 988 km/h)
• High-speed cruise: Mach 0.88
• Max range: ~6,500 nautical miles (12,000 km)
• Service ceiling: 51,000 ft (15,545 m)
• Passengers: 14–19 typically
• Crew: 2–3 + cabin attendant

✨ Features and Innovations:

• First Gulfstream certified to 51,000 ft, allowing it to cruise above weather and commercial traffic
• First to feature Honeywell's advanced PlaneView cockpit (later enhanced in the G550)
• Pressurized, ultra-quiet cabin with large oval windows, full galley, conference/dining area, and lavatory
• Low cabin altitude (~6,000 ft at cruising levels) for reduced fatigue on long trips
• Capable of nonstop routes like New York to Tokyo, LA to London, or Dubai to NYC

🎯 Use Cases:

• Corporate transport for CEOs, billionaires, and global businesses
• Government and military VIP transport, especially in the U.S. as the C-37A
• Used by organizations such as NASA, NOAA, and defense contractors for testing and research
• Available in charter fleets, VIP air services, and fractional ownership

🔁 Variants:

🔹 Gulfstream V-SP / G550

• Enhanced version with longer range, upgraded avionics, and new systems
• Most successful derivative of the G-V platform

🔹 C-37A (U.S. Air Force & Navy)

• Military designation for VIP transport
• Used to carry government officials and top military brass
• Outfitted with secure communications and mission-specific upgrades

🔹 GV-SPX (Special missions platform)

• Used by NASA and other agencies for airborne science missions
• Modified G-Vs serve as aerial laboratories, remote sensing platforms, and testbeds

🏁 Legacy:

The G-V was a turning point in business aviation, helping Gulfstream cement its reputation as the go-to brand for long-range, high-performance corporate jets. It combined luxury, power, and innovation in a way that made it an icon of its era.

Its legacy lives on through:

• The G550, which improved on the G-V's foundation
• The G650/G700 series, which expanded the ultra-long-range class even further

🔥 Fun Facts:

• The G-V was the first civilian aircraft to receive the FAA's Type Certificate under FAR Part 25 Amendment 77, reflecting cutting-edge standards for performance and safety
• It can fly nonstop from New York to Beijing or London to Buenos Aires without refueling
• NASA’s Gulfstream V is used for Earth science missions like studying volcano plumes, weather, and air quality