IAI Astra

The IAI 1125 Astra is a twin-engine business jet of the Israeli producer Israel Aerospace Industries. It is the successor of the Rockwell Jet Commander, which was built since 1968 by IAI under license, and the IAI 1124 Westwind. Since 2002 she is called Gulfstream G100. The Astra was developed in the 1990s to the Galaxy (now Gulfstream G200 ).

History

In the early 1980s, Israel Aircraft Industries began with the revision of the IAI 1124 Westwind. The prototype ( 4X -WIN, serial number 4001 ), the Astra made ​​its maiden flight on 19 March 1984, the first production aircraft in March 1985. FAA approval was granted in August 1985. 1986, the first of which were delivered.

The original version 1125 Astra was replaced in 1989 by the Astra SP and built in 37 copies.

The third variant was initially called the Astra Galaxy. Later it was called Astra SPX, and first flew in August 1994. This model received in September 2002, the new Gulfstream G100 designation after Gulfstream acquired the rights holders Galaxy Aerospace in May 2001. The G100 was further built by IAI in Israel, the interior work was done, however, in the United States.

Since 2005 a further revised version, which is sold under the name G150. The development of this version was announced in September 2002. It has an enlarged fuselage and can now accommodate eight passengers instead of six. The drive serve TFE731 engines with which a cruising speed of Mach 0.75 and a range of 5,000 km can be achieved. For the U.S. Air Force, the military variant is C-38 Courier provided with the obsolete C-21 Learjet to be replaced.

Military user

  • U.S. Air Force

Specifications

Others

Since 2002, sets the research project " DOTSTAR " in Taiwan such an aircraft for flights to typhoons orientation. So called Drop Sondes are dropped, which provide real-time data during the descent from the interior of tropical cyclones, the satellite so can not attain. The DOTSTAR aircraft currently flies the only typhoon missions in the Pacific. In 1987, the U.S. Navy had abandoned their flights from Guam.

The Gulfstream G100 is one of 2 aircraft, which are used in the crime series "Criminal Minds".

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