Gulfstream Aerospace has announced the final Gulfstream G650 has officially completed production. This aircraft will move to the next phase of the completions process at Gulfstream’s facility in Appleton, Wisconsin, before making its official delivery to a customer later this year.
“Since their inception, the G650 and G650ER have become the industry standard that all others have followed, recently surpassing a staggering one million flight hours,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream. “Beyond the programme’s innumerable accolades and 125+ world speed records, innovations introduced with the form, fit and precision manufacturing process of the G650 laid the groundwork for today’s next-generation Gulfstream fleet.”
Gulfstream was awarded the Robert J Collier Trophy in 2014 for the development of the G650 business jet family. Gulfstream said that the aircraft family’s record-breaking feats include a 2015 world circumnavigation accomplished with just one stop; completing the farthest fastest business jet flight in history when the G650ER flew from Singapore to Tucson, Arizona, in 2019; as well as serving as the aircraft of choice in the 2019 One More Orbit mission, recognised by the Guinness World Records for achieving the fastest-ever circumnavigation of Earth around both the north and south poles.
“While this will be the final G650 produced, the fleet’s high utilisation and dispatch reliability mean these aircraft will serve customers for decades to come,” said Burns. “As with any Gulfstream aircraft completing production, our Customer Support and programme management teams will continue to research, develop and deploy advanced technologies and upgrades for retrofit, such as Honeywell Primus Epic Block 3, announced last July, and Starlink high-speed internet, announced in October.”
The aircraft family continues to play an active role in Gulfstream’s flight and sustainability testing initiatives. Featuring Rolls-Royce BR725 engines, the aircraft served as the platform for the industry’s first flight using 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in 2022.
The all-new, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G800 was designed to succeed the G650 family, delivering increased performance, efficiency and cabin comfort. The G800 can fly 8,000 nautical miles (14,816km) at Mach 0.85 and 7,000 nautical miles (12,964km) at Mach 0.90 and is equipped with Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines and Gulfstream’s advanced high-speed wing and winglet. The aircraft also features the award-winning Gulfstream Symmetry Flight Deck and Gulfstream’s new Combined Vision System (CVS). Designed to seat up to 19 passengers, the G800 offers up to four living areas or three living areas with a crew compartment. Certification by the Federal Aviation Administration is anticipated in the first half of 2025.
