The US military continued their relationship with Gulfstream when the airframer introduced the Gulfstream IV and then the updated IVSP. Entering service in 1990, the US Air Force operated two C-20H and flew the type until 2017. Upon retirement from USAF service, one went onto the civil market while the other was transferred to the US Army (90-0300) which joined the single C-20F which has been in Army service since 1991.
The US Navy operated four C-20Gs, equipped with a cargo door, they are able to operate with a mixed passenger and cargo interior. Later requirements by the Navy to replace the ageing C-20A in the CATBIRD role was made easier with the C-37A entering service, this allowed C-20G (Bu165151) to take up the CATBIRD duty and is still current today. To make it a full house, the US Marines operate a single C-20G, this airframe (c/n1200) was severely damaged by a tornado in Florida back in 1998, after a complete rebuild of the forward fuselage, wing and tail section it was able to return to USMC service in 2001.
Foreign operators of the Gulfstream IV have seen service with a handful of forces, Saudi Arabia, Ireland, Oman, Chile, Turkey, Botswana, Pakistan and the Netherlands have all flown the Gulfstream IV. But two other nations have flown the type in a different role to the normal VIP duties.
Sweden : Three Gulfstream IVSPs, (one is a standard VIP jet) but the other two were purchased to replace a pair of French built Caravelles, the Gulfstreams are locally designated as the S102B Korpen and have multiple external lumps and bumps housing a range of intelligence equipment. Their main mission is focused around the Baltic Sea area.
Japan : Five Gulfstream IVSPs have been delivered to the JASDF with a rapid change interior, these jets are used in a multi mission role. Much like the US Navy birds, the JASDF Gulfstreams are equipped with a side cargo door. The conversion of the locally designated U-4 was carried out by Marshalls Aerospace at Cambridge Airport, England. All five U-4s are still kept very busy at their Iruma Airbase.
Gulfstream updated the ageing GIVSP with the Gulfstream G450. This type has only entered military service with Pakistan and Mexico before the production line ceased in 2017.
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| Photo by Richard Flagg |
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