Gulfstream Aerospace was selected as the recipient of the 2014 Robert J. Collier Trophy for its development of the G650, the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) announced last night. The NAA will present the trophy, its highest award for aeronautic or astronautic achievement, during the annual Robert J. Collier Trophy Dinner, which is typically held in spring.
Gulfstream was selected by a committee of 30 aviation and aerospace industry executives, who said the aircraft āstrengthened business aviation through significant technological advancements in aircraft performance, cabin comfort and safety.ā
āIt was a very strong list of nominations which reflect the advancement of the worldās aviation industry,ā said Jim Albaugh, chairman of NAA. āIt was a difficult list from which to select a recipient, and I congratulate Gulfstream on this great honor.ā
Gulfstream was selected over a finalist slate that included Alan Eustace and the StratEx Team, the Embraer Legacy 500, the F-16 Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance Team, the General Aviation Joint Steering Committee, the Orion Exploration Flight Test-1 and Aurora Flight Sciences Orion UAS.
Gulfstream obtained U.S. FAA certification for the ultra-long-range, high-speed aircraft in late 2012 and delivered the 100th G650 in November.