The C-37 family provides worldwide special air mission and DV support, consisting of military versions of the ultra-long-range Gulfstream business aircraft.
The C-37A is based on the Gulfstream V and is equipped with separate VIP and passenger areas, secure global voice and data communications suites, enhanced weather radar, autopilot, and advanced HUD. The C-37B, first delivered in 2004, is based on the G550 and adds directional IR countermeasures for self-defense and the advanced Honeywell Plane-View flight deck.
Ongoing mods include commercial wideband SATCOM, to ensure senior leaders’ access to secure data and voice networks, and FAA-required CNS/ATM updates. The fleet has an average 28,000 flying hours of remaining service life.
USAF issued a request for proposal in FY18 for procurement of as many as 40 additional C-37Bs to backfill the now-retired C-20 fleet. FY21 launches wideband SATCOM upgrades as part the Senior Leader Communication Modernization effort across USAF’s executive fleets.
A total of 15 aircraft will be modified to ensure redundant, survivable and secure/top-secret voice, data, and video conferencing for uninterrupted worldwide C2.
USAF took delivery of its fourth C-37B in 2019, a fifth on March 25, 2020, and awarded Gulfstream a $127.4 million contract for two additional aircraft for delivery by September 2021.
Contractor: Gulfstream Aerospace.
First Flight: October 1998 (C-37A).
Delivered: Oct. 14, 1998-present.
IOC: Dec. 9, 1998.
Production: 16 (planned).
Inventory: 10 (C-37A); five (C-37B).
Operator: AMC, PACAF, USAFE
Aircraft Location: Chièvres, Belgium; JB Andrews, Md.; JB Pearl HarborHickam, Hawaii; MacDill AFB, Fla.; Ramstein AB, Germany.
Active Variants: •C-37A. Military version of the Gulfstream V. •C-37B. Military version of the Gulfstream G550.
Dimensions: Span 93.5 ft, length 96.4 ft, height 25.8 ft.
Weight: Max T-O 90,500 lb.
Power Plant: Two BMW/Rolls-Royce BR710A1-10 turbofans, each 14,750 lb thrust (A); two BMW/Rolls-Royce BR710C4-11 turbofans, each 15,385 lb thrust (B).
Performance: Speed 600 mph, range 6,300 miles.
Ceiling: 51,000 ft.
Accommodation: Two pilots, flight attendant, crew chief.
Load: Up to 12 passengers (A); 14 passengers (B).