10 Things You Didn’t Know about the Gulfstream G450
The Gulfstream G450 is a member of the Gulfstream IV family of airplanes made by Gulfstream Aerospace. Compared to its counterparts, it is not just longer but also incorporates some of the features seen in the Gulfstream V, which makes sense because it was created somewhat later than the earliest members of the airplane family. For proof, considering that the first Gulfstream IV came out in 1985, while the first Gulfstream G450 wasn’t produced until 2004. In total, the Gulfstream G450 and the other members of the Gulfstream IV family have sold more than 900 units, which is a rather impressive number to say the least. Here are 10 things that you may or may not have known about the Gulfstream G450
1. It Is a Twinjet
The Gulfstream G450 belongs to an entire family of twinjet airplanes, which means exactly what it sounds like in that said airplanes have two jet engines rather than one jet engine. As a result, twinjets have a reputation for being safer than their single-engine counterparts, seeing as how they can be landed in a safe manner even when they lose one engine.
2. Powered Using Rolls-Royce Engines
This can come as a surprise to people who think that Rolls-Royce makes nothing but luxury cars, but it is interesting to note that the Gulfstream G450 is powered using Rolls-Royce engines like the rest of its family members. This is something that it shares with a lot of other airplanes from a lot of other airplane manufacturers out there.
3. Meant For Private Use
Different airplanes are intended for different uses. In the case of the Gulfstream G450 and its family members, they are meant for private use, which in turn, means that it should come as no surprise to learn that they see a fair amount of use for business purposes as well.
4. Based on the Gulfstream III
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Gulfstream G450 and the other members of the Gulfstream IV family are based on the Gulfstream III. In short, a number of changes were made, with an excellent example being the changes made to the wings. As a result, the members of the Gulfstream IV family have more than 300 nautical miles compared to their predecessor when it comes to the issue of range.
5. First Business Jet to Have a Glass Cockpit
Speaking of which, one of the other changes made for the Gulfstream IV was the fact that it had a glass cockpit. This wasn’t exactly a new invention, but it was nonetheless an innovation because it was the first time that it had been featured on a business jet. Generally speaking, a glass cockpit is advantageous in that it presents important information in a more efficient and more reliable manner than its traditional counterpart.
6. The G450 Used to Be Named the GIV-X
Initially, the Gulfstream G450 was called the GIV-X. It wasn’t until later that it had a change of name to its more familiar form. With that said, it is interesting to note that the Gulfstream G450 was intended to be an improvement on the GIV-SP, which was another member of the Gulfstream IV family.
7. Sees a Surprising Amount of Military Use
It is interesting to note that the Gulfstream G450 actually sees a fair amount of use by the military forces in a number of countries. With that said, it isn’t intended for combat. Instead, it sees a fair amount of use carrying VIPs from place to place, which makes much more sense.
8. Used By Four Out of Five Branches of U.S. Military
In particular, it should be mentioned that the Gulfstream G450 and its family members see use by four out of the five branches of the U.S. military. For those who are curious, the one branch of the U.S. military that doesn’t use said airplanes is the Coast Guard, which to be fair, a lot of people wouldn’t even recognize as being part of the U.S. military.
9. Used By the NOAA
Speaking of which, there is one Gulfstream IV that sees use by the NOAA. Naturally, this means that it sees use for atmospheric research, with one excellent example being its role in following the path of hurricanes.
10. The Gulfstream G450 Has the Most Range
Out of the entire Gulfstream IV family, the Gulfstream G450 has the most range. For those who are curious, it has a range of 4,350 nautical miles, which is a fair amount more than the 4,220 nautical miles of the runners-up.
