Gulfstream Programs

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Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc. produces the integrated wing for the Gulfstream G500 and G550 ultra-long-range business jets. Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., based in Savannah, Ga., is a subsidiary of General Dynamics. For the Gulfstream G450 and G350 series business jets, Vought builds the wing and nacelle systems.

The Gulfstream G550

The Gulfstream G550 provides more usable cabin space, increased baggage capacity, improved takeoff performance and two additional signature oval windows. The Gulfstream G550 extends non-stop range to 6,750 nautical miles at Mach .80 - with the capability to travel 6,000 nautical miles at Mach .85 and 5,000 nautical miles at Mach .87. At the same time, field performance improvements provide greater access to more airports by reducing required takeoff and landing distances. The G550 received FAA certification on Aug. 14, 2003.

The Gulfstream G500

The Gulfstream G500 is a derivative of the Gulfstream G550 model. This new aircraft entered service in 2004. Designed to cruise at altitudes of up to 51,000 feet with a range of 5,800 nautical miles, the G500 flies high above commercial air traffic and adverse weather, permitting more direct routing by air traffic control and shorter en route times. The G500 operates efficiently on short-range, high-speed routes as well.

The Gulfstream GV Legacy

Gulfstream Aerospace launched the Gulfstream GV in 1992 in response to a market need for extended range business jets. In February 1998, the National Aeronautic Association awarded Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. the prestigious Robert J. Collier Trophy for the top U.S. aeronautical achievement for 1997. Gulfstream and its industry team were recognized "for successful application of advanced design and efficient manufacturing techniques, together with innovative international business partnerships, to place in customer service the Gulfstream V - the world's first ultra-long-range business jet."

The Gulfstream G450 and G350

The Gulfstream G450 draws on the heritage and experience of the Gulfstream GIV-SP. It is a large-cabin, long-range business aircraft with a range of 4,350 nautical miles, a maximum operating speed of Mach .88 and a maximum cruise altitude of 45,000 feet. The Gulfstream G350 is a large-cabin, mid-range business aircraft. It has a range of 3,800 nautical miles, a maximum operating speed of Mach .88 and a maximum cruise altitude of 45,000 feet.

Vought's Role

Vought was responsible for the design, detail fabrication and final assembly of the fully integrated Gulfstream V series wing. Today, the company builds the integrated wing for the G500 and G550 series. The work is performed at the company’s Dallas facility. Vought and a worldwide team of its suppliers provide the complete wing assembly, including flaps, ailerons, leading edges and trailing edges.

In producing the wing, Vought uses custom-built tooling and advanced manufacturing technology. The upper wing skin is a single sheet of machined aluminum. The upper skin is formed using a technique called age-creep forming. The first skin produced using this method was production-quality and nearly defect-free.

In designing the wing, Vought's integrated product and process management team, which included Gulfstream Aerospace and supplier representatives, used CATIA-driven engineering. The result is a design with fewer part families, fewer parts and common, consistent detail and assembly reference points. The use of automatic riveting machines to attach stringers to the wing skins improves quality while saving time and reducing costs.

For the Gulfstream G450 and G350 series business jets, the company’s facility in Nashville builds the wing, and its Stuart, Fla., site provides the aircraft's nacelle system. The Nashville site was responsible for the wing design for the Gulfstream IV series, delivering more than 600 wing shipsets to date. The GIV contract represents the first complete wing design responsibility for the Nashville site, which has been a key supplier to the Gulfstream family of aircraft since 1965. The company built more than 265 GII wings and 235 GIII wings.