Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation: key moments in the development of the manufacturer
Gulfstream Aerospace is an American aircraft manufacturer and a subsidiary of General Dynamics. It carries out the design, construction, sale, and service of air transport. The company’s main products are business jets.
The Gulfstream’s history began in the 1950s. At that time, Grumman Aircraft decided to shift its production focus from military to civilian aircraft. The first development in this new area was the twin-engine turboprop aircraft Grumman Gulfstream I, which has a range of up to 3,540 kilometres and can carry 12 passengers. The G-I model laid the foundation for a new class of aircraft for corporate transport.
The company’s most famous models
The Gulfstream I received positive feedback from experts and customers alike. This prompted the company to develop the next generation: the Gulfstream II. Work on the new model coincided with important changes in the business:
1. The company divided its production of military and civilian aircraft.
2. Civilian capacity moved to Savannah, Georgia.
3. The new location offered good transport infrastructure and was close to the airport.
In 1967, the plant began producing the GII model. Within a few years, the company’s scale increased by more than a factor of 17. In 1973, the civil division merged with American Aviation, a company that specialised in light aircraft. Grumman sold the Savannah production facilities a few years later, including the Gulfstream division. The buyer was American Jet Industries, which gave the combined entity a new name — Gulfstream American.
The company later released the Gulfstream III model, marking the beginning of the new business jet era. This aircraft was the first in its class to be capable of crossing the polar regions.
Rebranding
In 1982, the company rebranded as Gulfstream Aerospace. The following year, it held an IPO, which led to a new phase of business development. In 1985, Gulfstream Aerospace was acquired by the Chrysler Corporation, but this partnership was short-lived. Four years later, the automotive giant sold the company back to its previous owner, together with an investment firm. This deal enabled Gulfstream to secure a number of major contracts and strengthen its position in the market.
Over time, the company bought out Galaxy Aerospace, a producer of business jets. The main reason for this acquisition was the Astra SPX and Galaxy models, later named the G100 and G200. A series of subsequent acquisitions allowed the business to enter the European market.
In 2006, the G100, the company’s first business jet, received FAA Stage 4 certification for noise regulation, was launched. Alongside releasing new models, the company has also been expanding its network of service centres. It also regularly establishes industrial centres in different countries.
