Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is preparing for the series production of an upgraded version of the super-midsize G280 business jet it builds under license for Gulfstream Aerospace. Following type certification in Israel and the U.S., plans call for first deliveries to be made in 2026.
In line with Shmuel Kuzi, executive vp and general manager of IAI’s aviation group, the corporate has already produced a prototype of the upgraded G280 and is now adapting its production lines. “We have now designed the upgraded version and we are going to certify it as we did with previous models of Gulfstream business jets that we have now made,” he told AIN. “We plan to fabricate 30 aircraft a 12 months.”
Because the 3,600-nm, Mach 0.85 twinjet entered service in 2012, IAI has delivered around 300 units. An upgraded version of the G280, for which Gulfstream has not yet confirmed the specifications and projected performance, would compete with models that include the Embraer Praetor 600, Cessna Citation Longitude, and Bombardier Challenger 3500.
Kuzi avoided detailing all of the changes which can be to be introduced with the upgraded G280, but in response to previous reports based on Gulfstream data, it is thought that the united statescompany has managed to scale back the cabin altitude from 6,000 feet to 4,800 at FL410. This variation is meant to scale back travel fatigue and improve comfort for passengers. The upgraded model can also be expected to feature a brand new avionics suite.
From mid-2024, new-production G280s will feature the improved cabin altitude and LED cabin and exterior lighting. These upgrades may even be available for retrofit, Kuzi said.
In line with IAI, the improved visibility provided by the G280’s external LED lighting adds to aircraft safety each in flight and through ground operations. Moreover, this improvement offers higher reliability and fewer maintenance requirements.
Because the start of the military conflict in Gaza, IAI has faced constraints on manufacturing operations for the G280. Nevertheless, addressing this issue late last month at Cowen’s forty fifth Annual Aerospace & Defense Conference, Phebe Novakovic, chair and CEO of Gulfstream parent company General Dynamics, praised IAI’s management team for working around aspects resembling employees being called up for military service as a result of the Gaza conflict.
“We face challenges but we’re coping with them because of our vast experience,” Kuzi told AIN, adding that IAI intends to source all of the required hardware and systems for the upgraded G280. He said that the corporate has devised a “special fast delivery system” to make sure that Gulfstream service centers world wide will have the option to get spare parts.
“The most recent manufacturing technologies are used on IAI’s assembly lines to satisfy the best production requirements and ensure on-time delivery,” he said.
IAI designed and manufactured the sooner G150 and G200 models after Gulfstream acquired the group’s business jet division in 2001. The jointly developed G280 was originally called the G250 and had its first flight in Tel Aviv on Dec. 11, 2009.