US-based company Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation announced on 2 October that the Philippine Air Force (PAF) has established a contract through the United States government to purchase a Gulfstream G280 as well as parts, tooling and contractor logistics support. The aircraft will be configured for command and control missions and is slated for delivery in 2020. It is believed that the G280 will operate for the 250th presidential airlift wing, based in Pasay City,
A US Department of Defence (DOD) contract notice dated 17 September, states that Gulfstream had won an order from the Philippine Air Force for the supply of one aircraft, parts and two-year logistic support. The DOD notice stated that the total contract value is $31,899,999. The current list price for a G280 is $24,500,000. Gulfstream says that the aircraft is scheduled for delivery in 2020, following configuration for command-and-control missions. The DOD notice states that the contract is due to be completed by the end of May 2022.The contract includes two years of logistical support, inferring that the G280 will be delivered before the end of May 2020.
The G280 aircraft will likely be outfitted with extensive communications equipment, although it is currently unclear if it will be outfitted for use in a full surveillance and intelligence role. With more than 70 speed records and the ability to operate at steep-approach airports, the G280 can perform a variety of challenging missions. The G280 has a maximum range of 3,600 nautical miles/6,667 kilometers at its long-range cruise speed of Mach 0.80 and a high-speed cruise of Mach 0.84. The aircraft can fly eight hours nonstop and can connect Dubai to Hong Kong; Singapore to Melbourne, Australia; or Singapore to Dubai.
The Gulfstream G280 is a twin-engine business jet built by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) for Gulfstream Aerospace. It began delivery to users in 2012. In 2005, Gulfstream and IAI began designing a follow-on aircraft to the Gulfstream G200. Gulfstream has produced special mission aircraft for more than 50 years. Aircraft can be configured for head-of-state and VIP transport; command and control; airborne early warning; medical evacuation; high-altitude atmospheric research; and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. More than 205 Gulfstream aircraft support governments and special missions in more than 40 countries around the world.
