The Gulfstream IV-SP (GIV) is a high altitude jet that can fly
up to 45,000 feet. The GIV is used to fly around hurricanes and gather
data about the hurricane environment using dropwindsondes. This data is
sent to the National Hurricane Center to assist them in forecasting the
hurricane path and intensity.
The GIV is regularly used in the Winter Storm Reconnaissance program,
which is run by the National Centers for Environmental Protection
(NCEP). The goal of the Winter Storm Reconnaissance Program is to
better predict the location and intensity of high winds, surf
conditions, and severe weather caused by winter storms using
dropwindsondes. The GIV also occasionally takes air chemistry
observations of the upper troposphere in the jet stream area above the
winter storm.
Engines: |
Two Fuselage Mounted Rolls Royce Tay 611-8 twin spool turbofan jet engines |
Crew: |
(Hurricane and Winter Storm Missions): |
Ceiling: |
45,000 feet |
Rate of Climb (approximate - fully loaded): |
3000 fpm (first 25000 ft.) |
Operational Airspeeds: |
41,000 – 45,000 ft. True Airspeeds (Mach .77-.80, 440-460 kts.) |
Electrical: |
Two engine driven alternators (36KVA, 115 volt,
unregulated 3 phase) |
Scientific Power: |
SED has an Uninterruptable Power Source (UPS) for scientific gear |
Max. Gross Weight: |
Ramp 75,000 pounds |
Empty Weight: |
43,700 pounds |
Useful Load: |
31,300 pounds |
Fuel Load: |
29,500 pounds |
Type Fuel: |
Jet A, JP4, JP5, JP8 |
Standard Fuel Burn: |
(fully loaded) = 5000 pounds/hr for first hour and 3000 pounds/hr for every hour after that |
Maximum Range: |
3800 nm. (with a 1 hour fuel reserve) |
Maximum Duration: |
8 hrs. 45 minutes (with 1 hour fuel reserve) |
External Dimensions: |
Radome to trailing edge of horizontal stabilizer = 87.58
ft. |
Internal Dimensions: |
Head Room = 6ft. |
Useable Volume: |
Usable Length = 33 ft. |
Additional Standard Equipment |
|
Cockpit: |
2 High Frequency (HF) Radios |
Cabin: |
Dropwindesonde Tube with 8-channel tracking capability |
Nose art from the GIV-SP, N49RF
© The Jim Henson Company