General Dynamics segment Gulfstream Aerospace has signed a $991-million deal to provide logistics support for the US armed forces’ C-20 and C-37 special transport mission fleets.
The contract encompasses program management, engine maintenance, aircraft base repairs, and depot maintenance for planes under the army, navy, air force, coast guard, and marine corps.
Work for the effort will be facilitated in Maryland, Hawaii, California, and Germany until 2032.
Gulfstream noted that the support services build on the company’s almost six decades of partnership with the US military.
To date, the Georgia-based firm has supplied more than 200 special mission aircraft such as the C-20s and C-37s to more than 40 nations, including the US defense forces and other American federal agencies.
“This demonstrates the strength of our world-class Customer Support network and its ability to support all of our customers’ missions,” Gulfstream President Mark Burns commented on the logistics agreement.
“Gulfstream’s Special Missions business delivers cutting-edge aircraft expertly engineered for a wide range of critical operations and is currently experiencing unprecedented activity with customers around the world.”
The Gulfstream C-20 and C-37
The C-20 and C-37 aircraft have been providing long-range and international airlift for combat units, senior military leaders, and government dignitaries since the 1980s.
The C-20 is the military configuration of either the Gulfstream III or IV business jet, capable of moving passengers and cargo in all weather and non-stop transoceanic flights.
The 88-foot (27-meter) aircraft’s latest in-service model is powered by twin Rolls-Royce Tay engines for a top speed of 576 miles (923 kilometers) per hour, a range of 4,220 nautical miles (7,815 kilometers), and a service ceiling of 45,000 feet (13,716 meters).
It can carry up to 12 passengers and is operated by five personnel.
Meanwhile, the C-37 is a variant of the Gulfstream V and 550 private planes with an altitude of up to 51,000 feet (15,545 meters), which incorporates both secure and non-secure communication networks.
It is powered by two BMW/Rolls Royce engines for a maximum speed of 345 miles (555 kilometers) per hour and a range of about 6,700 miles (10,783 kilometers).
Similar to the C-20, the 96-foot (30-meter) C-37 accommodates up to 12 people and is operated by a crew of five.