C-20 Gulfstream III

The C-20 Gulfstream III is a tactical military transport aircraft, developed by the American firm Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation. It is based on the civilian passenger aircraft Gulfstream III, with series production commencing in 1980.

Designation and Powerplant

The Gulfstream III variant adopted by the U.S. Armed Forces was assigned the designation C-20. The engines installed on these aircraft were designated F113-RR-100.

Variants and Specific Missions

The C-20 encompasses several sub-variants tailored for specific missions. Three C-20A aircraft were acquired by the U.S. Air Force for VIP transport in Europe. The C-20B, with seven units for the Air Force, serves as a VIP aircraft within U.S. territory.

The three C-20C aircraft of the U.S. Air Force are equipped for transporting senior military command in the event of a nuclear war, featuring communication systems protected against electromagnetic pulses. The U.S. Navy acquired two C-20D aircraft for transporting up to 14 high-ranking officers, while the U.S. Army obtained two C-20E aircraft for similar tasks.

International Operators

Single VIP variants of the Gulfstream III were also acquired by the air forces of several nations. These include Gabon, Italy, Ivory Coast (formerly Côte d’Ivoire), Mexico, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela.

Technical Specifications

Modification	C-20A
Wingspan, m	23.72
Aircraft length, m	25.32
Aircraft height, m	7.43
Wing area, m2	86.83
Empty weight	14651
Maximum takeoff weight	30936
Internal fuel, kg	12836
Engine type	2 Turboprop Rolls-Royce Spey RB.168 Mk 511-8
Thrust, kN	2 x 50.71
Cruising speed, km/h	929
Practical range, km	7598
Operational range, km	6760
Service ceiling, m	13715
Crew, crew	2-3
Payload	19 passengers

Image and diagram gallery of the C-20 Gulfstream III

C-20A/E Gulfstream III	C-20A/E Gulfstream III
C-20A/E Gulfstream III	C-20A/E Gulfstream III
C-20A/E Gulfstream III	C-20A/E Gulfstream III
C-20A/E Gulfstream III	C-20A/E Gulfstream III