Gulfstream: Sky-High Luxury Since 1958

The Legend Begins

In 1930, in a converted automobile showroom on Long Island, New York, two visionaries named Leroy “Roy” Grumman and Leon Swirbul founded what would become one of America’s most storied aviation companies. Grumman Aircraft Engineering Company initially focused on military aviation, becoming a preeminent manufacturer of naval aircraft during World War II, producing legendary fighters like the F4F Wildcat and F6F Hellcat. But it was in the post-war boom of the late 1950s that Grumman saw an opportunity to reshape civilian aviation. In 1957, engineers at the Bethpage, New York facility completed the design for a revolutionary concept: a turboprop aircraft built specifically for business travel. On August 14, 1958, the Gulfstream I took to the skies for its maiden flight, marking the birth of purpose-built business aviation.

The Founder’s Vision

Roy Grumman himself named the aircraft “Gulfstream,” inspired by the powerful ocean current that flows along Florida’s coast, where many Grumman executives vacationed. The Gulfstream I was groundbreaking: a twin-turboprop capable of carrying 12 passengers at 350 mph with a range of 2,200 nautical miles. With its pressurized cabin and reliability inherited from Grumman’s military expertise, the G-I demonstrated that business aircraft could deliver both comfort and performance. Two hundred examples were built between 1958 and 1969, establishing Gulfstream as a serious contender in the emerging corporate aviation market. The success prompted Grumman to develop a jet-powered successor, the Gulfstream II, which first flew in October 1966 and became the first business jet to complete a nonstop transatlantic crossing in May 1968.

Rise to Excellence

In 1967, Grumman moved the civilian aircraft division to Savannah, Georgia, where it remains headquartered today. But the pivotal transformation came in 1978, when entrepreneur Allen Paulson acquired the Gulfstream line and Savannah plant from Grumman for $52 million. Paulson, a visionary aviation pioneer, renamed the company Gulfstream American and later Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation in 1982. Under his leadership, Gulfstream introduced the G-III in 1979, featuring improved range and the distinctive winglets that became a Gulfstream signature. The company changed hands several times: Chrysler acquired it in 1985 for $637 million, before Paulson bought it back in 1989 with private equity firm Forstmann Little. The defining moment came in 1999 when General Dynamics acquired Gulfstream for $5.3 billion, providing the resources for unprecedented growth and innovation.

Iconic Creations

Gulfstream’s legacy is written in a series of groundbreaking aircraft. The Gulfstream IV, introduced in 1987, was the first business jet with an all-glass cockpit. The Gulfstream V, which first flew on November 28, 1995, and entered service in June 1997, pioneered the ultra-long-range category with its 6,500 nautical mile capability, earning the prestigious Collier Trophy. But perhaps no aircraft captured the imagination like the G650: announced in 2008, it made its maiden flight in November 2009 and received FAA certification in September 2012. With a top speed of Mach 0.925 and range of 7,000 nautical miles, the G650 became the benchmark for large-cabin business jets, with over 500 delivered before production ended in February 2025. The aircraft’s clientele reads like a who’s who of global business and celebrity, drawn by its unmatched combination of speed, range, and cabin comfort.

The Numbers: Empire Today

Today, Gulfstream Aerospace stands as the world’s leading manufacturer of large-cabin, long-range business jets, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics. The company employs more than 20,000 people worldwide, with major facilities in Savannah and Brunswick, Georgia, along with service centers spanning Dallas, Las Vegas, West Palm Beach, Appleton, Long Beach, Westfield, and London-Luton. Since 1958, Gulfstream has produced more than 3,300 aircraft serving customers in over 70 countries. The current fleet includes the G280, G400, G500, G600, G650ER, G700, and the newest G800. The flagship G700, which received FAA certification in March 2024 and began customer deliveries in April 2024, represents the pinnacle of business aviation with its 7,750 nautical mile range at Mach 0.85 and industry-leading cabin space. The G800, certified in April 2025, now holds the title of world’s longest-range business jet at 8,200 nautical miles.

The Legacy Continues

Under the leadership of President Mark Burns, a Savannah native who joined Gulfstream in 1983 and was named President in July 2015, the company continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in business aviation. Burns, who also serves as Vice President of parent company General Dynamics, has guided Gulfstream through a period of remarkable innovation, overseeing the development and certification of the G500, G600, G700, and G800. The company’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its promotion of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and ongoing research into reduced emissions. Gulfstream’s PlaneView avionics suite and Enhanced Vision System remain industry standards, while the brand’s dedication to customer support, with service centers worldwide providing around-the-clock assistance, ensures that Gulfstream ownership remains synonymous with excellence.

Why It Matters

Gulfstream Aerospace occupies a unique position in the pantheon of luxury brands. From Roy Grumman’s vision in the 1950s through Allen Paulson’s entrepreneurial brilliance to today’s General Dynamics backing, the company has maintained an unwavering commitment to performance, innovation, and craftsmanship. For the world’s business leaders, heads of state, and discerning individuals, a Gulfstream represents more than transportation: it is an extension of their commitment to excellence, a tool that transforms how they connect with the world. In an era when time is the ultimate luxury, Gulfstream continues to deliver what it promised nearly seven decades ago: the freedom to go anywhere, anytime, in uncompromising comfort and style.