Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation is a leading American aircraft manufacturer that specializes in designing, developing, manufacturing, marketing, and servicing business jet aircraft. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics and has been in operation since 1958. Gulfstream has produced over 2,000 aircraft to date, and its current range includes the G280, G550, G500/G600, and G650/G650ER/G700/G800. Gulfstream’s headquarters is located in Savannah, Georgia, from where it serves global customers.
The company currently boasts of a talented and dedicated team of employees, including its president, Mark Burns. Gulfstream is committed to providing high-quality, reliable, efficient, and comfortable aircraft that meet the unique needs of each of its customers.
Gulfstream’s origins can be traced back to Grumman Aircraft Engineering Co. in the late 1950s. Grumman developed the Grumman Gulfstream I (G-I), a twin turboprop business aircraft that could seat 12 passengers and had a maximum speed of 350 mph (560 km/h) at 25,000 feet (7,620 m) and a range of 2,200 miles (3,540 km). The success of the G-I prompted Grumman to develop the jet-powered Grumman Gulfstream II or GII.
In 1966, Grumman separated its civil and military aircraft production to improve efficiency. The civilian component, which included the Gulfstream line, was moved to Savannah, Georgia, where they found a supply of skilled labor, an airfield adjacent to the plant, and favorable weather for year-round flight testing and training operations. In 1973, Grumman merged its civil aircraft operations with light-aircraft manufacturer American Aviation Corporation, and in 1978, the Gulfstream line and the Savannah plant were sold to American Jet Industries, headed by entrepreneur Allen Paulson, who renamed the company Gulfstream American. Under Paulson’s leadership, Gulfstream developed the Gulfstream III, a new aircraft designed to achieve greater range and speed than the GII. The GIII made its first flight in December 1979, with the first delivery in 1980, and was the first business jet to fly over both poles. Gulfstream has continued to innovate and produce high-quality and reliable aircraft for its global clientele.