US executive jet maker Gulfstream has delivered the last G450 as it prepares to put the G500 into production.
The G450 entered service in 2005 and more than 360 aircraft were built since then. The fleet has amassed more than 964,000 hours over 461,000 flights.
“For the past 12 years, the G450 has been one of the best-selling business jets in the industry, beloved by pilots and passengers alike for its technological advances, smooth handling, impressive range and unsurpassed passenger comfort,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream.
“During its 30-year history, the GIV series transformed business aviation, and the G500 is already well on its way to doing the same, with the industry’s first active control sidesticks and the most integrated application of touch-screen controls in the flight deck.”
When it first came out, the G450 performed better that originally expected, having a range of 4350 nm at Mach 0.80 and a sprint distance of 3500 nm at Mach 0.85.
The new G500 will fly 5200 nm at Mach 0.85 and 4400 nm at Mach 0.90. Five G500 aircraft are currently undergoing flight testing, with type certification anticipated in early 2018.