Gulfstream’s future flagship business jet – new G650 has exceeded .99 Mach during its certification flight testing, the company said today. One of four G650 aircraft, taking part in trials now (the fifth is reported to join soon) has reached the speed so close to speed of sound. That fact once again confirms the Gulfstream’s approach the goal of building the world’s fastest civilian aircraft. A formal press release expected to be issued soon.
FAA certification procedures require that aircraft to demonstrate the capability to fly not less than .07 Mach above the target Maximum Mach Operating speed (MMO). The Gulfstream’s G650’s planned MMO is .925 Mach; actually this is the highest of any aircraft. The previous conqueror, Cessna Citation X has held the distinction of being the world’s speediest civil aircraft since the resign of the Concorde; Cessna X airplane currently has a .920 Mach MMO.
According to the Manufacturer, the G650 is expected to have a 5000 nm range at .90 Mach and 7000 nm range at .85 Mach. Such a performance data looks an irresistible argument for sales of the corporate jet.
Gulfstream also reports it hopes to get certification for the G650 flagship aircraft next year, with deliveries to start in 2012. According to the company information, aircraft sale are going on; Gulfstream already holds orders for some 200 business jets. The executive aircraft now has a base list price of $64.5 million. The plane is on sale from the first quarter 2010.
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