Gulfstream and IAI rolled out the first Gulfstream V "Shavit" in early 2005, this was followed with an official hand over to the Israeli Air & Space Force (IASF) in June the same year. The conversion from a green Gulfstream V to a signal/intelligence (SIGINT) aircraft was taken up at IAI's Tel Aviv Ben Gurion airport facility. Only three Gulfstream Vs undertook the conversion, all future projects were to be on the Gulfstream G550 airframe.
In September 2006 Gulfstream delivered the first of two G550s to Tel Aviv, this was to be the first Conformal Airborne Early Warning (CAEW) aircraft that the IASF would be adding to the Shavit fleet. The new CAEW aircraft were locally designated the Eitam. All five aircraft are flown by the Nachshon squadron at Nevatim Airbase, Israeli have announced at least one more Eitam will join the fleet.
Singapore was to be the next Air arm to take delivery of a IAI's Gulfstream G550 based CAEW airframe. Four frames undertook conversion and fly with 111sq based at Tengah Air Base, deliveries started in 2008 and by 2010 they were fully operational. IAI provided Italy with two airframes, the deal which saw 30 M346 trainers going in the opposite direction to Israel was completed in 2016.
The Australian Government awarded L3 Technologies a contract for two Gulfstream 550s to be converted to electronic warfare support configuration, these are expected to be the first of five MC-55As that the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) will operate from RAAF Edinburgh.
The US Navy have recently announced that VX-30 at NAS Point Mugu, California will be operating a NC-37B for missile range support. Although N544GD is painted in full "Bloodhounds" markings it is expected to be some time in 2021 before it is flying in its full operational capability as 166379.
Not wanting to miss out on the Department of Defence (DOD) gravy train, BAE Systems has partnered with L3 Technologies to integrate the Compass Call system from a Lockheed EC-130H into the Gulfstream EC-37B. the Electronic Warfare system could see as many at 14 EC-37Bs required to replace the ageing Hercules based at Davis Monthan, Arizona.
As the Gulfstream G550 nears its conclusion, we could certainly see some of the final frames being used for a number of roles that will see them wearing military uniform.
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| Photo by Ian Harding |
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| Photo by Bob Holland |
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