The Gulfstream III was built at Savannah, Georgia, in the United States and was designed as an improved variant of theGrumman Gulfstream II. Design studies were performed byGrumman Aerospace Corporation in collaboration withGulfstream 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.[3]
Compared to theG-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 (61 cm) 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 itstype certificate from the AmericanFederal Aviation Administration on 22 September 1980.[4] A total of 202 Gulfstream IIIs were built, with the last example built in 1986.[5]
In 2013, the FAA modified 14 CFR part 91 rules to prohibit the operation of jets weighing 75,000 pounds or less that are not stage 3 noise compliant after December 31, 2015. The Gulfstream III is listed explicitly in Federal Register78 FR 39576. Any Gulfstream IIIs that have not been modified by installing Stage 3 noise compliant engines or have not had "hushkits" installed for non-compliant engines will not be permitted to fly in the contiguous 48 states after December 31, 2015.14 CFR §91.883 Special flight authorizations for jet airplanes weighing 75,000 pounds or less – lists special flight authorizations that may be granted for operation after December 31, 2015.
By 2018, prices for a used 1982 Gulfstream III started at $695,000.[6]
C-20C -United States Air Force C-20B with upgraded and "hardened" secure communications, often utilized as backup aircraft accompanying theVC-25A aircraft when it is operating asAir Force One[7]
C-20D -United States Navy Operational Support Airlift (OSA) aircraft with modified communications equipment for use by the Navy, normally in support of high-ranking naval officials[7]
C-20E - Stretched fuselage/redesigned wing variant for use by theUnited States Army as an Operational Support Airlift (OSA) aircraft[7][10]
Gulfstream III SRA-1 - Special reconnaissance and surveillance version for export.
Gulfstream III SMA-3 - Export model for Denmark, fitted with aTexas Instruments APS-127 search radar. Three maritime reconnaissance and patrol, fisheries protection, search and rescue, and VIP transport aircraft were built for theRoyal Danish Air Force in 1983. No longer in service.
A NASA Gulfstream C-20A (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.[11]
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.[12]
ThePhoenix Air Group operates two formerRoyal Danish Air Force SMA-3 aircraft (N173PA cn 313, N163PA cn 249) and a Gulfstream III (N186PA cn 317).[13] One aircraft provides airborne maritime range surveillance for theMissile Defense Agency (MDA) and other Department of Defense range facilities using a high definitionTexas Instruments APS-127 Surface Search Radar system.[14] All three are configured with a large cargo door. In 2008 Phoenix Air developed an Airborne Biomedical Containment System with theCDC. In 2014, the system was deployed during theEbola virus epidemic in Liberia to fly 12 ebola missions to the United States.[15]
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 byLockheed Martin.[16] This has been leased by Italy since 2012.[17]
Calspan operates N710CF (cn 448), which has been modified as an airborne test bed. Modifications include a centerline pylon[18] and a dorsal satcom radome[19]
Two Gulfstream IIIs, K2961 (cn 494) and K2962 (cn 495), equipped with long-range oblique photography cameras mounted in the fuselage, were delivered to theIndian Air Force.[20][21]
August 3, 1996 - Flew into mountain during final approach toVagar Airport on Faroe Islands. The Gulfstream III (F-330) from RDAF - Royal Danish Air Force was destroyed killing all nine people on board, including the Danish Chief of DefenceJørgen Garde.[26][27]
July 4, 2017 - On the outskirts ofMargarita Island, a Gulfstream III YV2896[30] of the Venezuelan Vice-President crashed into the sea with nine people on board. Two bodies were later recovered, with the remaining seven occupants believed to have been killed.[31]
^Boppe, Charles W., "Computational Aerodynamic Design: X-29, the Gulfstream Series and a Tactical Fighter", SAE paper 851789, 1985 Wright Brothers Award Paper, presented at the Aerospace Technology Conference & Exposition, Long Beach California, October 1985.
^Flight testingArchived February 24, 2017, at theWayback Machine N710CF with Centerline Pylon Capable of Carrying External Stores] Retrieved 22 August 2014.
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