https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulfstream_III
The Gulfstream III, a business jet produced by Gulfstream Aerospace, is an
improved variant of the Grumman Gulfstream II.
The Gulfstream III was built at Savannah, Georgia in the United States and was
designed as an improved variant of the Grumman Gulfstream II. Design studies
were performed by Grumman Aerospace Corporation in collaboration with Gulfstream
American Corporation. Design of the Gulfstream III started with an effort to
synthesize a completely new wing employing NASA supercritical airfoil sections
and winglets. Optimization studies considering weight, drag, fuel volume, cost,
and performance indicated that a substantial portion of the new wing benefit
could be secured with modifications to the existing wing. As a result, the new
wing concept was canceled and work began on design modifications that would
retain the Gulfstream II wing box structure and trailing edge surfaces.
Compared to the G-1159 Gulfstream II, the wing has 6 ft (1.8 m) more span and 5
ft (1.5 m) winglets added, the leading edge is longer and its contour is
modified. The fuselage is 2 ft (0.6 m) longer aft of the main door, the radome
is extended and there is a new curved windshield. Maximum takeoff weight is
increased to 68,200 lb (30,935 kg) or 69,700 lb (31,615 kg) and there are
various changes to the autopilot, flight instruments, and engine instruments.
The aircraft received its type certificate from the American Federal Aviation
Administration on 22 September 1980. A total of 202 Gulfstream IIIs were built,
with the last example built in 1986.
Role
Business jet
Manufacturer
Gulfstream Aerospace
First flight
2 December 1979
Introduction
1980
Primary users
United States
Gabon
India
Italy
Produced
Number built
202
Unit cost
US$37M
Developed from
Grumman Gulfstream II
Variants
Gulfstream IV/G400/G450
A NASA Gulfstream C-20B (83-0502 cn 389) has been fitted with a centerline pylon
to allow it to carry the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar
(UAVSAR) pod.
A NASA Gulfstream III (N992NA cn 309) has also been fitted with a centerline
pylon to allow it to carry the Airborne Microwave Observatory of Subcanopy and
Subsurface (AirMOSS) pod, a modification of the UAVSAR pod.
The Phoenix Air Group operates two former Royal Danish Air Force SMA-3 aircraft
(N173PA cn 313, N163PA cn 249) and a Gulfstream III (N186PA cn 317). One
aircraft provides airborne maritime range surveillance for the Missile Defense
Agency (MDA) and other Department of Defense range facilities using a high
definition Texas Instruments APS-127 Surface Search Radar system. All three are
configured with a large cargo door. In 2008 Phoenix Air developed an Airborne
Biomedical Containment System with the CDC. In 2014, the system was deployed
during the Ebola virus epidemic in Liberia to fly 12 ebola missions to the
United States.
N30LX (cn 438) has been modified by the addition of a ventral canoe and sensor
turret as the "Dragon Star" Airborne Multi-Intelligence Laboratory for use by
Lockheed Martin. This has been leased by Italy since 2012.
Specifications (Gulfstream III)
General characteristics
Crew: two or three
Capacity: 19 passengers (standard seating)
Length: 83 ft 1 in (25.32 m)
Wingspan: 77 ft 10 in (23.72 m)
Aspect ratio: 6.0:1
Empty weight: 38,000 lb (17,236 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 69,700 lb (31,615 kg)
each
Performance
Maximum speed: 576 mph (501 knots, 928 km/h) (max cruise)
Cruise speed: 508 mph (442 knots, 818 km/h) (long range cruise)
Stall speed: 121 mph (105 knots, 194 km/h)
Range: 4,200 mi (3,650 nmi, 6,760 km) (eight passengers, IFR reserves)
Service ceiling: 45,000 ft (13,716 m)
Rate of climb: 3,800 ft/min (19.3 m/s)
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