Naval aviation recently achieved another milestone in the transformation of the Executive Transport mission with the help of Naval Air Systems Command’s PMA-207, the Support and Commercial Derivative Aircraft Program office.
The “Star Lifters” of VR-1, based at Andrews Air Force Base, Washington, DC, recently took delivery of a new production Gulfstream Aerospace G550 aircraft, called the C-37B in June 2006. The C-37 Program is a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) aircraft selected as the replacement of the Navy’s VP-3A Executive Transport aircraft. Two other C-37’s, one C-37A (Gulfstream GV) was delivered in October 2002, and the second, a C-37B (Gulfsteam G550) was delivered in February 2005. The C-37 aircraft provides Executive Transport for the Secretary of the Navy, Chief of Naval Operations, Commandant of the Marine Corps, Fleet Commanders, and visiting Navy dignitaries.
“The PMA 207 team is excited to deliver this extremely successful acquisition effort to our Navy leadership”, said Captain Mark Stone, Program Manager, PMA-207, Support and Commercial Derivative Aircraft program office.
“These aircraft have been delivered to the Navy on budget and ahead of schedule with outstanding performance. The C-37 can deliver Navy and Marine Corps leadership in about half the time as compared to the VP-3A at a reduced cost. Gulfstream Aerospace should be proud of the efforts they have made in support of the Global War on Terrorism and world-wide humanitarian missions.”
The C-37B is a state-of-the-art twin jet engine commercial aircraft with a range up to 6750 nautical miles, a maximum speed of 570 knots, a passenger configuration of 12-14, and can carry up to 5000lbs of cargo.
The C-37’s are maintained by Gulfstream Aerospace Contract Logistic Support personnel allowing for the navy to utilize available support in the private sector to maintain and support these aircraft.
Photo: The new C-37B Gulfstream Aerospace G550 aircraft replaces the Navy's VP-3A as an executive transport aircraft. The C-37B was delivered to VR-1 at Andrews Air Force Base in June.