Elbit Systems Ltd. has delivered a self-protection suite to the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s (RNLAF) Gulfstream G-650ER VIP Aircraft. The delivery was carried out within a year of signing and after comprehensive flight acceptance tests. The flight acceptance tests included the examination of the system over a number of flights, all of which were successful and to the full satisfaction of the customer. The aircraft was equipped with an advanced protective suite that includes Elbit Systems’ Direct Infra-Red Counter Measures (DIRCM) and Infra-Red-based Passive Airborne Warning System (IR MWS), a configuration with an EASA supplemental type certificate (STC). This project joins many across the world, including NATO’s MRTT A330 refueling fleet project-of which the Netherlands is a member- that has a similar protection system installed.
Netherlands Material IT Command Project Leader: “Based on our experiences with the MMF MRTT-fleet, we were convinced that this self-protection system would fulfill our requirements. We are very satisfied with the support, flexibility and performance provided to our G650ER project.”
Ziv Ashkenazi, VP Business Development and Marketing, Airborne Systems at Elbit Systems: “This plane joins a large fleet of aircraft around the world that are equipped with our advanced and proven self-protection suite. The quality and reliability of our systems have been proven once again in the acceptance trials as well as in the quick completion of the project for our important Dutch customer.”
The Gulfstream G650 is an ultra-long range large cabin business jet that operates as a VIP and passenger aircraft. In the VIP-configuration and on long distances, the Royal Netherlands Air Force will operate the aircraft for a maximum of 14 passengers. The G650 is normally operated with two pilots and one cabin attendant. It has a 7.500 NM maximum range and a 0,925 maximum Mach. The business jet – which was acquired by Jet Aviation on behalf of the Dutch MOD in July 2022 – was built in 2015 and has flown more than 2,000 flying hours in total. The G650ER has been procured to replace the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s (RNLAF’s) ageing Gulfstream IV in the VIP transport role, a mission it has flown since it entered operational service in April 1996. This aircraft is operated by No 334 Squadron, which will likely absorb the G650ER once it formally enters RNLAF service this summer.
Elbit Systems Ltd. is an international high technology company engaged in a wide range of defense, homeland security and commercial programs throughout the world. The Company, which includes Elbit Systems and its subsidiaries, operates in the areas of aerospace, land and naval systems, command, control, communications, computers, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (“C4ISR”), unmanned aircraft systems, advanced electro-optics, electro-optic space systems, EW suites, signal intelligence systems, data links and communications systems, radios, cyber-based systems and munitions. The Company also focuses on the upgrading of existing platforms, developing new technologies for defense, homeland security and commercial applications and providing a range of support services, including training and simulation systems.
