Gulfstream G650/G700/G800

The Gulfstream G650, G700, and G800 are large business jets produced by the American company Gulfstream Aerospace.

The G650 model is designated Gulfstream GVI in its type certificate. The aircraft can be configured to carry from 11 to 18 passengers over a range of 7,000 nautical miles [nmi] (13,000 km; 8,100 mi) at a top speed of Mach 0.925 (530.6 kn; 982.7 km/h; 610.6 mph). The aircraft is powered by two Rolls-Royce BR725 turbofans, mounted on the rear fuselage. Gulfstream began the G650 program in 2005 and revealed it to the public in 2008. The G650ER is an extended-range version of the G650, adding about 500 nmi (930 km; 580 mi) by modifying the fuel system, an upgrade offered for existing G650 aircraft.

At its introduction, the G650 was the company's largest and fastest business jet, until being surpassed by the G700. Introduced in October 2019, the G700 stretched the airframe by 10 feet (3.0 m) and increased its top speed to Mach 0.935 (536.3 kn; 993.3 km/h; 617.2 mph) using a new wing and improved Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines. A fourth variant, the G800 was announced in October 2021. The new aircraft is the same size as the G650 but uses the improved wing and Pearl 700 engines from the G700.

The Gulfstream G650 was formally launched as an internal company project in May 2005, and publicly unveiled on March 13, 2008. At the public announcement occasion, company executives stated the new model would become Gulfstream's largest, fastest and most expensive business jet on entry to the market.

The wing design was completed in 2006. A total of 1,400 hours of wind tunnel testing was completed by 2008. A pressure-test fuselage was built and tested, including an ultimate-pressure test of 18.37 psi (127 kPa).

The G650 taxied under its own power for the first time on September 26, 2009. A public rollout ceremony was held on September 29, 2009. The G650 had its maiden flight on November 25, 2009.

Flight testing for the maximum operating speed of Mach 0.925 was announced as completed on May 4, 2010. Gulfstream reported on August 26, 2010, that the G650 hit a maximum speed of Mach 0.995 during a dive as part of its 1,800-hour flight test program. In April 2011, a G650 crashed shortly after liftoff. The cause was determined to be related to the speeds carried out for the single engine takeoff run. The G650 test aircraft were grounded until May 28, 2011, when the remaining test aircraft were allowed to return to flight testing.

On September 7, 2012, the G650 received its type certificate from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Its first delivery was to an American customer, Preston Henn, on December 27, 2012.