C-37B Gulfstream 550 aircraft, new executive aircraft delivered to 89th Airlift Wing

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFNS) — 

FLCMC delivers C-37B early

By Daryl Mayer, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Public Affairs

The latest C-37B special air mission aircraft Was delivered to the 89th Airlift Wing at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, March 25.

The program, managed by the Presidential and Executive Airlift Division, delivered the aircraft one week ahead of schedule.

On January 30, the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Commercial Derivative Aircraft Division, awarded a firm-fixed price sole source delivery order for two C-37B aircraft from Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, which will deliver by the end of FY21, expanding the current fleet size to 16 aircraft.

The delivery order is the second award against the GAC Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity contract awarded in September 2019, an award vehicle providing an effective and responsive instrument for the processing of multiple customer requirements across the federal government requiring Gulfstream aircraft and sustainment services. 


The C-37B is a twin-engine, turbofan aircraft acquired to fill the worldwide special air missions for high-ranking government and Defense Department officials.  The C-37B is based upon the high-altitude, intercontinental Gulfstream 550 aircraft.  With a crew of 5, the aircraft can carry 12 passengers, with a range of 6750 nm (7,768 miles).

“I’m proud our team is showing the Air Force stands ready to meet our mission,” said Brig. Gen. Ryan Britton, Air Force program executive officer for Presidential and Executive Airlift. “We are taking care of our people, doing all we can to flatten the COVID-19 curve while maintaining our mission-focus on delivering capability to the warfighter.”

The 89th Airlift Wing provides global special air mission airlift, logistics, aerial port and communications for the president, vice president, cabinet members, combatant commanders and other senior military and elected leaders as tasked by the White House, Air Force chief of staff and Air Mobility Command.

37A

Mission 
The C-37A is a twin-engine, turbofan aircraft acquired to fill the worldwide special air missions for high-ranking government and Defense Department officials. 

Features
The aircraft contains a modern flight management system with a worldwide satellite-based Global Positioning System. The C-37A is based upon the high-altitude, intercontinental Gulfstream V aircraft, capable of cruise operations from 41,000 to 51,000 feet. Features include enhanced weather radar, autopilot and an ultra modern heads up display for the pilot. Safety features include Enhanced Vision Systems that allows increased visibility in all weather environments. The aircraft is also equipped with both commercial and military communications equipment to provide secure and non-secure voice and data capability. 

Background
The 89th Airlift Wing’s 99th Airlift Squadron, Andrews Air Force Base, Md., operates four C-37A’s. The 6th Air Mobility Wing’s 310th Airlift Squadron, MacDill AFB, Fla., operates three C-37A’s. Both the 15th Airlift Wing, 65th Airlift Squadron at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, and the 86th Airlift Wing, 309th Airlift Squadron, at Chievres Air Base, Belgium, have one C-37A. 

General Characteristics
Primary Function: Special air missions 
Builder: Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. 
Power Plant: Two BMW/Rolls Royce BR710A1-10 high bypass ratio turbofan engines 
Thrust: 14,750 pounds each engine 
Length: 96 feet, 5 inches (29.38 meters) 
Height: 25 feet, 11 inches (7.9 meters) 
Wingspan: 93 feet, 6 inches (28.5 meters) 
Speed: 600 mph (.885 Mach) maximum 
Maximum Altitude: 51,000 feet (15,545 meters) 
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 90,500 pounds (41,050 kilograms) 
Range: 6,300 miles (5,500 nautical miles) normal cruise 
Load: 12 passengers 
Unit Cost: $36 million (1998 constant dollars) 
Crew: Five 
Date Deployed: 1998 
Inventory: Active force, 9; Air National Guard, 0; Reserve, 0