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 PlaneView flight deck.
Ongoing mods include commercial wideband SATCOM, to ensure leaders access to secure data and voice networks, and FAA-required CNS/ATM updates. FY26 continues comm suite upgrades as part of the Senior Leader Communication Modernization effort across USAF’s executive fleets. A total of 16 aircraft will be modified, including two in FY26, to ensure redundant, survivable and secure/top-secret voice, data, and videoconferencing for uninterrupted worldwide C2.
Existing aircraft will receive modernized en route air traffic SATCOMS, which will be standard on future airframes. USAF aims to acquire as many as 40 aircraft to backfill the retired C-20. Four aircraft were delivered between 2019 and 2022.
C-37 Technical Data
Contractor: Gulfstream Aerospace; Honeywell (commercial SATCOM replacement); L3 Harris (Senior Leader Communications Modernization).
First Flight: October 1998 (C-37A).
Delivered: Oct. 14, 1998-February 2022.
IOC: Dec. 9, 1998.
Production: 16.
Inventory: Nine (C-37A); seven (C-37B).
Operator: AMC, PACAF, USAFE
Aircraft Location: JB Andrews, Md.; JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii; 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. (A); 91,000 lb. (B).
Power Plant: Two BMW/Rolls-Royce BR710A14-10 turbofans, each 14,750 lb thrust (A); two BMW/Rolls-Royce BR710C4-11 turbofans, each 15,385 lb thrust (B).
Performance: Speed 600 mph (cruise 345 mph); range 6,300 miles (A), 6,700 miles (B).
Ceiling: 51,000 ft.
Accommodation: Two pilots, flight attendant, crew chief.
Load: Up to 12 passengers (A); 14 passengers (B).