Gulfstream Aerospace delivered the first fully outfitted G650ER to a customer last week, months before the 2015 projected delivery date. “It’s a good day when you can deliver on your promises ahead of schedule,” said Gulfstream president Larry Flynn.

The company announced the 7,500-nm business jet in May at EBACE and received FAA type certification last month. Available for both new aircraft and as a retrofit for in-service aircraft, the approximately $2 million ER option stretches the G650’s 7,000-nm range to 7,500 nm at a cruise speed of Mach 0.85. This range boost allows Gulfstream to leapfrog Bombardier’s 7,200-nm Global 7000 (2016 planned entry into service) and better compete with the 7,900-nm Global 8000 (2017 planned EIS).

Little modification work is needed to turn a G650 into a G650ER, given that Gulfstream left sufficient space and strength in the wings to add another 4,000 pounds of fuel, resulting in the maximum ramp weight rising an equivalent amount, to 104,000 pounds. While the G650ER shares the G650’s cabin, avionics and systems, software for the fuel-quantity measuring and flight management systems has been updated to account for the extra fuel and performance gains. EASA certification of the G650ER is expected in 2016.